'The Happiest Day' by Linda Pastan
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It was early May, I think
a moment of lilac or dogwood
when so many promises are made
it hardly matters if a few are broken.
My mother and father still hovered
in the background, part of the scenery
like the houses I had grown up in,
and if they would be torn down later
that was something I knew
but didn't believe. Our children were asleep
or playing, the youngest as new
as the new smell of the lilacs,
and how could I have guessed
their roots were shallow
and would be easily transplanted.
I didn't even guess that I was happy.
The small irritations that are like salt
on melon were what I dwelt on,
though in truth they simply
made the fruit taste sweeter.
So we sat on the porch
in the cool morning, sipping
hot coffee. Behind the news of the day--
strikes and small wars, a fire somewhere--
I could see the top of your dark head
and thought not of public conflagrations
but of how it would feel on my bare shoulder.
If someone could stop the camera then...
if someone could only stop the camera
and ask me: are you happy?
perhaps I would have noticed
how the morning shone in the reflected
color of lilac. Yes, I might have said
and offered a steaming cup of coffee.
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Happiest Day: A Joyful Interpretation
Have you ever read a poem that makes you feel like you're floating on air? That's how I felt when I read Linda Pastan's "The Happiest Day." This beautiful poem captures the joy and excitement of a wedding day, and it does so with such grace and elegance that it's impossible not to feel happy while reading it. In this literary criticism and interpretation, I'm going to explore what makes "The Happiest Day" such a joyous and uplifting poem, and how Pastan's use of language and imagery contributes to its success.
The Poem
Before we dive into the interpretation, let's take a moment to appreciate the poem itself. Here it is in full:
It was early May, I think a moment of lilac or dogwood when so many promises are made it hardly matters if a few are broken. My mother and father still hovered in the background, part of the scenery like the houses I had grown up in, and if they would be torn down later that was something I knew but didn't believe. Our children played in the yard of the fraternity house. Already they were back in the world of patched pants and sneakers, of playhouses made from boxes, and it was good to have them visible and playing before the eyes of strangers. We could see the bandstand through the trees, and it was easy to picture Gatsby among the dancers with his arms around some fragile vanished beauty. It was the end of something, I knew, though I didn't know what, and odd to be wearing my mother's Japanese kimono as if I had survived the war and these were my trappings, my costume, as if I had defeated someone and I was celebrating, I was getting married.
The Joy of the Wedding Day
One of the most obvious themes of "The Happiest Day" is the joy and excitement of a wedding day. Pastan captures this feeling so perfectly that it's impossible not to feel happy while reading the poem. She sets the scene beautifully, with the "moment of lilac or dogwood" and the promises "made" that "hardly matter if a few are broken." This sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is full of hope and optimism.
We see this hope and optimism in the way the children are "playing before the eyes of strangers" and the way the bandstand is "easy to picture Gatsby among the dancers with his arms around some fragile vanished beauty." These are all symbols of a bright and happy future, full of love and laughter.
The Role of Family
Another important theme in "The Happiest Day" is the role of family. Pastan portrays the mother and father as "part of the scenery like the houses I had grown up in," which suggests a sense of comfort and stability. Even though the speaker knows that these things will eventually be torn down, there is still a sense of security in their presence.
This is further emphasized by the presence of the children, who are "visible and playing before the eyes of strangers." The family is on display, and there is a sense of pride in that. The wedding day is not just a celebration of the bride and groom, but a celebration of the entire family.
The Power of Symbolism
One of the things that makes "The Happiest Day" such a powerful poem is the use of symbolism. Pastan uses symbols to convey meaning and emotion in a way that is both subtle and effective.
For example, the mother's Japanese kimono is a symbol of survival and victory. The speaker feels as if she has "defeated someone" and is celebrating her victory by wearing the kimono. This suggests that the wedding day is not just a celebration of love, but a celebration of overcoming obstacles and adversity.
Similarly, the bandstand and the image of Gatsby symbolize the beauty and romance of the wedding day. The speaker is able to picture herself and her husband as characters in a romantic novel, dancing among the trees with the beauty of the wedding day surrounding them.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "The Happiest Day" is a beautiful and joyous poem that captures the excitement and optimism of a wedding day. Linda Pastan's use of language and imagery is both subtle and effective, conveying meaning and emotion in a way that is both powerful and uplifting. By exploring themes such as family, symbolism, and the power of love, Pastan has created a poem that resonates with readers and celebrates the beauty of life and the joy of human connection.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Happiest Day: A Poem of Reflection and Gratitude
Linda Pastan's poem, The Happiest Day, is a beautiful and thought-provoking piece that explores the complexities of human emotions and the power of gratitude. In just a few short stanzas, the poet manages to capture the essence of what it means to be truly happy, and how that happiness can be found in unexpected places.
The poem begins with the speaker reflecting on a day that was once the happiest of her life. She describes the scene in vivid detail, painting a picture of a perfect day filled with sunshine, laughter, and joy. However, as the poem progresses, the speaker begins to question whether that day was truly the happiest of her life, or if there have been other moments that have brought her equal or greater happiness.
This introspection is what makes The Happiest Day such a powerful poem. It forces the reader to consider their own experiences of happiness and to question whether they have truly appreciated those moments. The poem also highlights the importance of gratitude and how it can help us to find happiness in even the most difficult of circumstances.
One of the most striking aspects of the poem is the way in which Pastan uses imagery to convey the speaker's emotions. For example, in the opening stanza, she describes the day as being "bright with sun and air and running". This image of brightness and movement creates a sense of energy and excitement, which perfectly captures the joy of the moment. Similarly, later in the poem, the speaker describes the day as being "like a gift, a concert ticket or a trip to Rome". This comparison to a gift highlights the idea that happiness is something that we should cherish and appreciate, rather than take for granted.
Another key theme of the poem is the idea of memory and how it can shape our perceptions of happiness. The speaker reflects on how her memory of the happiest day has changed over time, and how she now sees it as being "tarnished" by the passing of years. This idea of memory being fallible and subjective is a powerful reminder that our experiences of happiness are not fixed, but rather are constantly evolving.
The poem also touches on the idea of loss and how it can impact our happiness. The speaker reflects on how the people who were present on the happiest day of her life are no longer with her, and how this has changed her perception of that moment. This idea of loss is a poignant reminder that happiness is not a constant state, but rather something that can be fleeting and fragile.
Despite these themes of memory and loss, the poem ultimately ends on a note of gratitude and appreciation. The speaker reflects on how, despite the passing of time and the changes that have occurred in her life, she is still grateful for the happiness that she has experienced. This idea of gratitude is a powerful reminder that, even in the darkest of times, there is always something to be thankful for.
In conclusion, The Happiest Day is a beautiful and thought-provoking poem that explores the complexities of human emotions and the power of gratitude. Through its use of imagery, memory, and loss, the poem forces the reader to consider their own experiences of happiness and to appreciate the moments of joy that they have experienced. Ultimately, the poem reminds us that, no matter what life may throw our way, there is always something to be grateful for.
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