Member-only story

From Room to Room: A Journey Through Jane Kenyon's Poetic Landscapes

W. Somerset Maugham

·12.6k Followers· Follow

Published in From Room To Room Jane Kenyon

6 min read

603 View Claps

46 Respond

Save

Listen

Jane Kenyon's 'From Room To Room' Poetry Collection Cover From Room To Room Jane Kenyon

In her 1993 collection From Room to Room, Pulitzer Prize-winning poet Jane Kenyon invites readers to embark on a profound and intimate journey through the labyrinthine corridors of the human experience. Through an exquisite rendering of domestic interiors, natural landscapes, and the spaces we occupy within ourselves, Kenyon explores themes of mortality, time, loss, and the transformative power of love and remembrance.

From Room to Room

by Jane Kenyon

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1017 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Print length	:	66 pages

Domestic Interiors: Transformative Spaces

Kenyon's depictions of domestic interiors are far from the mundane; they are transformative spaces where the boundaries between the inner and outer world blur. The kitchen becomes a sanctuary of sustenance and connection, a place where "the smell of onions / makes my eyes sting" ("The Kitchen"),while the bedroom holds the weight of memory and longing, "the bedspread / ... covered with the shapes / of those who have slept here" ("The House").

These domestic spaces become mirrors of the soul, reflecting the passage of time and the shifting dynamics of human relationships. In "Otherwise," the speaker moves through a house once filled with love and companionship, now empty and echoing with loss: "The rocking chair / stands empty. / The afghan slides to the floor." The house becomes a tangible reminder of the impermanence of human existence, a poignant meditation on the fragility of memory and the enduring nature of absence.

Natural Landscapes: Echoes of Mortality

Kenyon's poems also venture beyond the confines of domesticity, embracing the vastness of natural landscapes. In her treatment of nature, she finds echoes of our own mortality and the cyclical nature of life. The "forest path that runs down / to the river" ("The River's Music") becomes a symbol of the journey from life to death, while the "winter stars" ("Husk") serve as a celestial reminder of the brevity of human existence.

But Kenyon's natural landscapes also offer solace and respite. In "The Lake," the speaker finds a moment of tranquility beside the still waters, contemplating "the blue surface / of the lake, and the small boat / anchored just offshore." The lake becomes a haven of reflection, a place where the mind can find respite from the tumult of the world.

The Body: A Map of Lived Experience

Kenyon's exploration of space extends to the human body itself, which she sees as a map of lived experience. In poems like "The Map," she writes of the body's "bunched up muscles, / the collection of scars," which serve as a physical manifestation of past trauma and triumphs. The body becomes a vessel of memory, a record of the joys and sorrows that have shaped a life.

However, Kenyon's depictions of the body are not solely focused on the physical. In "The Broken Tower," she delves into the realm of the mind, exploring the boundaries between sanity and madness, consciousness and unconsciousness. The "broken tower" of the poem's title becomes a metaphor for the fragile structure of human perception and the potential for its collapse.

Loss and Remembrance

Throughout From Room to Room, the themes of loss and remembrance are interwoven. Kenyon writes of the pain of losing loved ones, of the struggle to come to terms with the absence that death leaves behind. In "The Boat," she mourns the passing of her father, her words filled with a sense of profound longing and unanswered questions.

But alongside the sorrow, there is also a sense of gratitude for the time shared and the love that remains. In "The Gift," the speaker reflects on the legacy of her father, writing, "He left me / the memory of his hands / and a desk of poems." The memory of her father's presence becomes a gift, a precious inheritance that will sustain her through her own journey of life.

The Transformative Power of Love

In the face of loss and mortality, Kenyon finds solace in the transformative power of love. Love becomes a beacon of hope, a force that can illuminate even the darkest of times. In "Let Evening Come," she writes of the comforting presence of her husband, whose love "will make / the end tolerable." Love becomes a sanctuary, a sheltered space where vulnerability and healing can coexist.

Kenyon's exploration of love is not limited to romantic relationships. In "The Comforter," she celebrates the enduring bonds of friendship, writing of a friend who "came / through winter snow, and sat / beside me all night long." Love becomes a source of strength and companionship, a lifeline through the trials and tribulations of life.

In From Room to Room, Jane Kenyon invites us on a journey through the labyrinthine spaces we inhabit, both physical and emotional. She paints vivid landscapes of domestic interiors, natural environments, and the human body, revealing the intricate connections between these spaces and the human experience. Through her exploration of mortality, time, loss, and love, Kenyon offers us a profound and moving meditation on the fragility and resilience of human existence.

In the closing poem of the collection, "Otherwise," the speaker reflects on the passage of time and the changes it brings, writing, "Things pass. / What else is there to say?" But in this seemingly simple statement, Kenyon captures the essence of her poetic journey. While time may alter the landscapes of our lives, it cannot diminish the power of memory, the resilience of love, or the enduring beauty of human experience.

From Room to Room

by Jane Kenyon

5 out of 5