Original Poem：
Everyone at Lake Kearney had a nickname:
there was a Bumstead, a Tonto, a Tex,
and, from the slogan of a popular orchestra,
two sisters, Swing and Sway.
Swing jitterbugged, hopping around
on the dance floor, working up a sweat.
Sway was beautiful. My heart went out to her
when she lifted her heavy rack of dishes
and passed through the swinging door.
She was engaged, to an enlisted man
who was stationed at Fort Dix.
He came once or twice on weekends
to see her. I tried talking to him,
but he didn’t answer ... out of stupidity
or dislike, I could not tell which.
In real life he was a furniture salesman.
This was the hero on whom she had chosen
to bestow her affections.
I told her of my ambition:
to write novels conveying the excitement
of life ... the main building lit up
like a liner on Saturday night;
the sound of the band ... clarinet,
saxophone, snare drum, piano.
He who would know your heart (America)
must seek it in your songs.
And the contents of your purse ...
among Kleenex, aspirin,
chewing gum wrappers, combs, et cetera.
“Don’t stop,” she said, “I’m listening.
Here it is!” flourishing her lighter.
*
In the afternoon when the dishes were washed
and tables wiped, we rowed out on the lake.
I read aloud ...
The Duino Elegies
,
while she reclined, one shapely knee up,
trailing a hand in the water.
She had chestnut-colored hair.
Her eyes were changing like the surface
with ripples and the shadows of clouds.
“Beauty,” I read to her, “is nothing
but beginning of Terror we’re still just able to bear.”
*
She came from Jersey, the industrial wasteland
behind which Manhattan suddenly rises.
I could visualize the street where she lived,
and see her muffled against the cold,
in galoshes, trudging to school.
Running about in tennis shoes
all through the summer ...
I could hear the porch swing squeak
and see into the parlor.
It was divided by a curtain or screen ...
“That’s it,” she said, “all but the screen.
There isn’t any.”
When she or her sister had a boyfriend
their mother used to stay in the parlor,
pretending to sew, and keeping an eye on them
like Fate.
At night she would lie awake
looking at the sky, spangled over.
Her thoughts were as deep and wide as the sky.
As time went by she had a feeling
of missing out ... that everything
was happening somewhere else.
Some of the kids she grew up with
went crazy ... like a car turning over and over.
One of her friends had been beaten
by the police. Some vital fluid
seemed to have gone out of him.
His arms and legs shook. Busted springs.
*
She said, “When you’re a famous novelist
will you write about me?”
I promised ... and tried to keep my promise.
Recently, looking for a toolbox,
I came upon some typewritten pages,
all about her. There she is
in a canoe ... a gust of wind
rustling the leaves along the shore.
Playing tennis, running up and down the baseline.
Down by the boathouse, listening to the orchestra
playing “Sleepy Lagoon.”
Then the trouble begins. I can never think of anything
to make the characters do.
We are still sitting in the moonlight
while she finishes her cigarette.
Two people go by, talking in low voices.
A car door slams. Driving off ...
“I suppose we ought to go,”
I say.
And she says, “Not yet.”
Analysis and Interpretation of the Poem
This evocative poem paints a vivid picture of life around Lake Kearney, focusing on the characters and atmosphere that make the place memorable. The poem introduces us to a colorful cast of nicknamed locals, but centers especially on two sisters, Swing and Sway. Swing is lively and energetic, dancing the jitterbug, while Sway is portrayed as beautiful yet burdened by daily chores and an uncertain romantic life.
The poem explores themes of youth, longing, and the bittersweet nature of everyday existence. The narrator’s admiration for Sway is clear, as is his ambition to capture the excitement of life through writing. The poem also touches on deeper emotions and societal realities, such as the struggles faced by the people in the industrial wasteland of Jersey, the feeling of missing out, and the harsh experiences of some youth who suffer mental breakdowns or police violence.
The imagery is rich and sensory: the lit-up main building like a liner, the sounds of the band, the rippling water on the lake, and the changing eyes of Sway that reflect the sky. The poem moves between moments of lightness—dancing, rowing, listening to music—and moments of darkness—loneliness, violence, and existential reflection.
Background and Author Introduction
Though the poem does not explicitly name its author, the style and references suggest a mid-20th-century American writer with a keen eye for social observation and poetic detail. The mention of The Duino Elegies by Rainer Maria Rilke indicates the narrator’s literary interests and depth. The setting near Fort Dix and Jersey points to a post-war American context, where ordinary lives intersect with broader historical and social forces.
The poem likely draws from personal experience or close observation, blending nostalgia with realism. The author’s ambition to write novels and the promise to immortalize Sway in literature reflect the creative process and the desire to preserve fleeting moments and people through art.
Reflections and Insights
Reading this poem, one feels the tension between youthful hope and the harsh realities of life. The narrator’s empathy for Sway and his attempt to capture her world remind us of the power of storytelling to connect and preserve human experience. The poem also encourages us to look beyond surface appearances and nicknames to understand the complex inner lives of individuals.
The poem’s portrayal of social issues—such as police brutality and mental health struggles—adds a layer of seriousness and invites reflection on justice and compassion. The ending, with the characters lingering in moonlight despite the passing of time and external noises, suggests a desire to hold onto moments of connection before reality intrudes.
Educational Value and Learning Points for Students
This poem offers rich opportunities for students to learn about:
- Literary devices: imagery, metaphor, symbolism (e.g., the lake as a mirror of emotions, the band as a symbol of life’s rhythm).
- Themes: youth and aging, love and disappointment, social realities, artistic ambition.
- Historical context: post-war America, industrial landscapes, military life.
- Character study: understanding complex personalities through actions and descriptions.
- Emotional intelligence: empathy for others’ struggles and hopes.
- Creative writing inspiration: how to turn everyday life into compelling stories.
In practical terms, students can use this poem to practice close reading, expand vocabulary (e.g., jitterbug, enlisted, spangled), and discuss social issues sensitively. The poem also encourages reflection on personal ambitions and relationships.
Usage in Life and Study Scenarios
- In literature classes: to analyze poetic structure, narrative voice, and thematic depth.
- In social studies: to discuss post-war American life and social challenges.
- In creative writing workshops: as a model for character development and setting.
- In emotional learning: to foster empathy and awareness of mental health.
- In language learning: to enhance comprehension and vocabulary through contextual clues.
Reading Comprehension Questions
- Who are Swing and Sway, and how are they different from each other?
- What is the narrator’s ambition, and how does he try to share it with Sway?
- Describe the setting of the poem. How does it contribute to the mood?
- What social issues are hinted at in the poem?
- How does the poem end, and what might this ending suggest about the characters’ relationship?
- What role does music play in the poem?
- How does the poem use imagery related to water and the sky?
- Why does the narrator promise to write about Sway when he becomes famous?
- What emotions does the poem evoke in the reader?
- How does the poem explore the theme of “missing out” on life?
Answers to Comprehension Questions
- Swing and Sway are sisters; Swing is lively and energetic, dancing the jitterbug, while Sway is beautiful but burdened by chores and a complicated romantic life.
- The narrator wants to write novels that convey the excitement of life and shares this ambition with Sway, hoping she will listen and understand.
- The setting is Lake Kearney and nearby Jersey, an industrial area near Manhattan. The setting creates a contrast between natural beauty and harsh urban realities, enhancing the poem’s reflective mood.
- The poem hints at police violence, mental health struggles, and the feeling of social alienation among youth.
- The poem ends with the narrator and Sway lingering in the moonlight, reluctant to leave, suggesting a close but unresolved connection.
- Music symbolizes life’s energy and rhythm, with references to the band and specific songs like “Sleepy Lagoon.”
- Water and sky imagery reflect emotions and changeability—Sway’s eyes ripple like water, and her thoughts are as wide as the sky.
- The narrator promises to write about Sway to honor her and preserve her story, showing his affection and creative dedication.
- The poem evokes feelings of nostalgia, empathy, longing, and a bittersweet awareness of life’s complexities.
- The poem explores “missing out” through Sway’s sense that life is happening elsewhere, reflecting youth’s restlessness and desire for meaning.
This poem is a valuable resource for students to explore literary artistry and human experience, encouraging both analytical thinking and emotional growth.
