[encore] 1122: Childhood by David Baker

Summary

Podcast Summary: The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily
Episode: [Encore] 1122: Childhood by David Baker
Release Date: December 25, 2024
Host: Major Jackson

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Introduction to the Episode

In the holiday encore episode of "The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily," host Major Jackson delves into the intricate world of poetic devices, focusing specifically on the extended conceit—a powerful tool that elevates a poem's depth and resonance. Released on December 25, 2024, this episode not only presents the evocative poem "Childhood" by David Baker but also provides a thoughtful analysis that enhances the listener's appreciation of the work.

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Exploring the Extended Conceit in Poetry

Timestamp [01:00]: Major Jackson opens the episode by introducing the concept of the extended conceit, praising it as "one of the finest tools in poetry." He emphasizes that this device serves a dual purpose: it "entertains the reader by way of wit and cleverness" and "sharpens the mind of a poet as they work to render legible their feelings."

Jackson reflects on a personal conversation where the efficacy of metaphors was questioned, leading him to advocate for the poet's ability to "disentangle the chaotic bits of existence into an instance of lucid meaning." He compares the use of similes and metaphors to different styles of basketball plays, ultimately likening the extended conceit to "a half court attempt to win the game." This analogy underscores the strategic and deliberate nature of crafting extended metaphors that maintain their integrity throughout the poem.

Notable Quote:
"If the simile is a layup in a basketball game and a metaphor is a jump shot from the foul line, then the extended conceit is a half court attempt to win the game."
— Major Jackson [02:45]

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In-Depth Analysis of "Childhood" by David Baker

Timestamp [03:10]: Transitioning seamlessly, Major Jackson introduces the featured poem "Childhood" by David Baker. He expresses his admiration for how the poem begins with a compelling comparison and progresses to deliver a "sweet conclusion" that universalizes an individual experience through the potency of metaphor.

Reading of the Poem:
"I miss the cold, but not the cold breaking
not the small limbs sheared nor the ice pick
cold white wind working its whole way through you,
no matter your coat and gloves and no matter
the blue scarf someone tied and tucked tight.
The same cold blue all day in the sky
frozen blue through limbs of the two standing elms
brilliant each blue blue the color of new snow
like wafers on the fields.
Come in cold then and the dark comes with you.
Kick off your boots and someone is rubbing your feet
so they sting then stop stinging now the bruised apple red
bottle at the foot of your bed steaming and come morning
wood smoke in the kitchen.
I miss the cold then
so cold
there is singing"
— David Baker, "Childhood"

Analysis:
Jackson dissects the poem's imagery and emotional landscape, highlighting how Baker uses the extended conceit to navigate the complexities of nostalgia and loss. The recurring motif of "cold" serves as both a literal and metaphorical anchor, representing the harshness of childhood experiences juxtaposed with moments of warmth and comfort. The vivid descriptions—"frozen blue through limbs of the two standing elms" and "wood smoke in the kitchen"—paint a stark yet intimate portrait of memory and longing.

He commends Baker for "individualizing" a universal theme, making the reader reflect on their own childhood memories while appreciating the poet's unique perspective. The extended metaphor of coldness not only sets the scene but also symbolizes emotional distance and the passage of time, culminating in a poignant conclusion that ties back to the initial sentiment of missing the cold without the accompanying pain.

Notable Quote:
"I miss the cold then so cold there is singing"
— David Baker, "Childhood"
Jackson remarks on the powerful juxtaposition of missing the cold without its associated hardships, encapsulating the bittersweet nature of reminiscing.

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Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Wrapping up the episode, Major Jackson reiterates the significance of the extended conceit in enriching poetic expression. By dissecting "Childhood," he demonstrates how poets like David Baker harness this device to convey profound emotions and universal truths through personal narratives. Jackson encourages listeners to engage deeply with the poems presented, fostering a greater appreciation for the artistry involved in crafting such reflective and evocative works.

Closing Quote:
"Make us a part of your routine as you drink coffee in the morning, as you take a walk in nature, or as you wind down to go to sleep in the evening."
— Major Jackson [04:50]

Jackson invites the audience to incorporate "The Slowdown" into their daily lives, emphasizing the show's role in providing moments of calm, inspiration, and connection through poetry.

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Additional Information:
"The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily" is produced by APM Studios in partnership with The Poetry Foundation and supported by the National Endowment for the Arts. Listeners can access a vast back catalog, featuring previous hosts and guest poets, through the show's website slowdownshow.org.

Transcript

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[Micah]

I really love my life hey, it's Slow down producer Micah As 2024 comes to a close, we're asking you to help us plan for a poetry filled 2025. Your donation today helps us continue making the show and plan for future episodes. Show your support during this season of giving by making a tax deductible gift in any amount today. Visit slowdownshow.org donate or find the link in the show Notes thanks and happy listening.

[Major Jackson]

I'm Major Jackson and this is the Slowdown. Here's another craft episode, but perhaps more of an instigation I don't want to complain about what is missing in contemporary poetry. I want to talk about the extended conceit. It is one of the finest tools in poetry. It not only entertains the reader by way of wit and cleverness, but also sharpens the mind of a poet as they work to render legible their feelings. Which, lets admit, lies in obscurity without the press of language. Everyone's feelings lie in obscurity without some communication, written or otherwise. A conversation last winter with a friend led us down the path to a point of disagreement. Metaphor making is deceptive and superfluous on par with lying, he said. One thing is not like another thing on the surface, I agreed. But how wondrous to imagine a world absent of division. And how wondrous for a poet to disentangle the chaotic bits of existence into an instance of lucid meaning, to bring to light a world in an elegant relationship with itself. If the simile is a layup in a basketball game and a metaphor is a jump shot from the foul line, then the extended conceit is a half court attempt to win the game. You have options on any court, other players orbiting around you, but control of the conceit is paramount, that is, orchestrating the entire buzz, and of course not letting the ball go out of bounds, keeping it in play. All passes must be crisp and accurate, and the final shot is the result of an accumulative strategy, one of dazzling the reader until the ball drops through the hoop. I enjoyed today's poem immensely for how it makes its opening comparison, then leads us to the sweet conclusion, one about an experience we all share, yet it individualizes through the power of metaphor. Childhood by David Baker I miss the cold, but not the cold breaking not the small limbs sheared nor the ice pick cold white wind working its whole way through you, no matter your coat and gloves and no matter the blue scarf someone tied and tucked tight. The same cold blue all day in the sky frozen blue through limbs of the two standing elms brilliant each blue blue the color of new snow like wafers on the fields. Come in cold then and the dark comes with you. Kick off your boots and someone is rubbing your feet so they sting then stop stinging now the bruised apple red bottle at the foot of your bed steaming and come morning wood smoke in the kitchen. I miss the cold then so cold there is singing the Slowdown is a production of American Public Media in partnership with the Poetry Foundation. This project is also supported in part by the National Endowment for the Arts. On the [e-mail] to get a poem delivered to you daily, go to slowdownshow.org and sign up for our newsletter. Find us on Instagram at Slow down show.

[OHA Initiative Speaker]

If you could hear love, what would it sound like? Son, can we talk about your drinking? Yeah, Dad, I think we should. Helping those closest to you think about their excessive drinking. Maybe that's what love sounds like. [e-mail] an OHA initiative.