Exploring the Juicy Layers of Galway Kinnell's "Blackberry Eating"
Written on
The Beauty of "Blackberry Eating"
As we transition out of May, marking the end of National Poetry Month, the celebration of poetry remains everlasting, especially with Galway Kinnell's poignant poem, "Blackberry Eating." This compact piece offers more richness than a tropical fruit smoothie, showcasing the rhythm and imagery characteristic of masterfully crafted poetry.
The speaker's love for harvesting blackberries in late September is vividly depicted, revealing an appreciation that transcends mere enjoyment.
I cherish the moments in late September
amidst the plump, overripe, dark blackberries
to savor them for breakfast,
the prickly stalks, a deserved consequence
for possessing the "black art."
In these opening lines, Kinnell establishes the speaker’s joy in gathering blackberries, almost elevating these fruits to a revered status. The prickly stalks symbolize the price one pays for the knowledge of this "black art."
A Deeper Connection: Berries and Words
As I continued reading, it became evident that Kinnell was drawing parallels between blackberries and language itself.
and as I stand among them
lifting the stalks to my mouth, the ripest berries
fall almost unbidden to my tongue,
as words sometimes do, certain peculiar words
like strengths or squinched.
This realization struck me towards the poem's conclusion; the speaker likens the experience of eating blackberries to the spontaneous nature of language.
many-lettered, one-syllabled lumps,
which I squeeze, squinch open, and splurge well
in the silent, startled, icy, black language
of blackberry-eating in late September.
The last lines solidify this analogy, suggesting that the act of consuming berries mirrors our interactions with words. While this interpretation is mine alone, it is born from a close reading of the poem.
The Dance of Iambs
Upon revisiting the poem multiple times, I noted the alternating syllable structure—lines oscillating between 10 and 8 syllables, with some containing three syllables. This creates a rhythmic pattern that mimics walking.
The final lines present a shift, with monosyllabic words and an 11-syllable count.
It's essential to recognize that depending on whether you read the poem in print or online, the line count may vary—19 lines in the book versus 12 or 14 online.
Listening to the poem aloud reveals the iambic rhythm, resonating with the sound of footsteps—a steady duh-DUH-duh-DUH cadence.
Juicy Language
Delving into the wordplay, we can visualize the complexity and richness of language. Words like "prickly" and "penalty" resonate with the long "e" sound, while "Black" and "Art" share a slant rhyme with the short "a."
When the speaker states, "the ripest berries fall almost unbidden to my tongue/as words sometimes do," it suggests that language can emerge uncontrollably, with its own nuances and flavors, sometimes causing a sense of penalty.
Can words be described as "icy, black language"? I believe they can be.
Words can be as sharp as knives or as soft as chia pudding, offering sweetness to our souls, whether through a stroll with a pet or a gentle chat with a neighbor. Yet, acquiring that language can also be a thorny endeavor—at times, we might say the wrong thing or know too much.
In my analysis of Kinnell's poem, I hope to convey its essence. "Blackberry Eating" is rich in imagery and encompasses a blend of positive vibes with a few cautionary notes about the craft of language.
Thank you for taking the time to read my interpretation of "Blackberry Eating." I invite you to share your thoughts as well. You can read Galway Kinnell's poem in its entirety here.
Understanding "Blackberry Eating" by Galway Kinnell
This video offers insights into the themes and nuances of Kinnell's poem, helping viewers appreciate its depth.
Bob Stanley Reads "Blackberry Eating" by Galway Kinnell
In this video, Bob Stanley presents a reading of Kinnell's poem, bringing its emotional resonance to life.