Memories
In “Handbag,” the narrator describes the contents of her mother’s handbag. In the handbag is a well-worn picture of the narrator’s father—her mother’s deceased husband. The narrator admires this photo, as well as the other arbitrary contents, and ponders the significance of its location in her handbag. The narrator also comments on the fact that her mother’s handbag also contained several old correspondence letters from the war. In this way, this poem represents the theme of memories, as the woman’s handbag is a physical time capsule of her life memories of war, love, and family. The photograph of the woman’s decreased husband, in particular, speaks to humanity’s tendency to use physical objects as an anchor for valued and precious memories.
Transitions
In “Ageing,” the narrator explores and reflects upon all of the events in her life that have caused her to realize that she is aging. She explains that she finds herself smiling at babies and admiring teenagers who are able to roller blade down the road. It is from these admirations and events that she begins to realize that these are all signs of a transitionary moment in her life, where she transitions from being a young and youthful woman to an older woman who appreciates the small events in life. In this way, this poem captures the unique transition that all humans must eventually accept when they realize they get older. The narrator’s experience also encapsulates the process that is involved when individuals realize they are getting older. As the narrator expresses, this transition becomes apparent when one notices how their perspective on certain events changes.
Thought Association
In “Crocuses,” the narrator begins the poem with a description of the crocus flowers that are blooming near her house. She explains that they are blooming and have a very particular purple hue to them. Suddenly, as she is admiring the purple color of the flowers, she is reminded of the bruises that blossom on the skin of abuse victims. This train of thought then prompts her to consider all those men, women, and children who have been kidnapped and trafficked into a life of existence. In this way, the woman’s thoughts began by noticing the beautiful blooming crocuses and then devolved into the very dark thoughts about human trafficking and abuse. In this way, this poem encapsulates the unusual way that the simplest and most innocent items can remind us of dark thoughts and can cause our imaginations to devolve. It captures the way that humans have a tendency to associate thoughts and emotions with specific colors, locations, and objects.
