Without Regret By Eleanor Wilner - Giggle Poems

Original Poem：

Nights, by the light of whatever would burn:
tallow, tinder and the silken rope
of wick that burns slow, slow
we wove the baskets from the long gold strands
of wheat that were another silk: worm soul
spun the one, yellow seed in the dark soil, the other.
The fields lay fallow, swollen with frost,
expectant winter. Mud clung to the edges
of our gowns; we had hung back like shadows
on the walls of trees and watched. In the little circles
that our tapers threw, murdered men rose red
in their clanging armor, muttered
words that bled through the bars
of iron masks:
the lord
who sold us to the glory fields, lied.
Trumpets without tongues, we wove lilies
into the baskets. When they asked us
what we meant by these, we’d say “mary, mary”
and be still. We lined the baskets on the sill
in the barn, where it is always dusk
and the cows smell sweet. Now the snow
sifts through the trees, dismembered
lace, the white dust of angels, angels.
And the ringing of keys that hang
in bunches at our waists, and the sound of silk
whispering, whispering.
There is nothing in the high windows
but swirling snow,
the glittering milk of winter.
The halls grow chill. The candles flicker.
Let them wait who will and think what they want.
The lord has gone with the hunt, and the snow,
the snow grows thicker. Well he will keep
till spring thaw comes. Head, hand, and heart—
baskets of wicker, baskets of straw.</p>

Poem Explanation and Interpretation

This evocative poem paints a vivid picture of a cold, wintry night and the quiet, somber activities of people weaving baskets from wheat strands. The imagery of slow-burning candles—made from tallow and wick—sets a tone of patience and endurance. The poem contrasts natural elements like wheat and frost with human experiences, such as oppression and resistance symbolized by "murdered men" in armor and the "lord who sold us to the glory fields."

The "baskets" become a powerful metaphor for both the physical act of creation and the emotional burden carried by the people. The repeated weaving of lilies into these baskets, coupled with the whispered phrase "mary, mary," suggests a secret or sacred ritual, perhaps a form of silent protest or remembrance.

The poem also explores themes of waiting and endurance through the imagery of winter and snow, symbolizing hardship and the passage of time. The lord’s departure "with the hunt" and the thickening snow imply a temporary reprieve or exile, while the people remain, holding onto hope until "spring thaw comes." The closing lines emphasize the unity of head, hand, and heart—mind, labor, and spirit—woven together like the baskets themselves.

Background and Author Introduction

This poem likely emerges from a historical or rural context where basket weaving was both a practical craft and a cultural tradition. The references to frost, fields, and the lord evoke a feudal or agrarian society, where peasants endured harsh winters and oppressive rulers.

The author, though unnamed here, demonstrates a deep sensitivity to nature, labor, and social injustice. Their style combines lyrical imagery with subtle political commentary, inviting readers to reflect on resilience amid hardship. The use of religious symbolism ("mary, mary") and the motif of weaving connect the poem to folk traditions and collective memory.

Reflections and Insights

Reading this poem encourages us to appreciate the quiet strength found in everyday acts of creation and endurance. It reminds us that even in dark times—both literal and metaphorical—there is beauty and meaning in persistence. The poem’s layered imagery invites readers to consider how history, nature, and human spirit intertwine.

Educational Value and Learning Points

Students and children can learn several important lessons and skills from this poem:

• Imagery and Symbolism: Understanding how natural elements (wheat, frost, snow) symbolize larger ideas like life, death, and hope.
• Historical Context: Gaining insight into feudal or agrarian life and the struggles of common people.
• Poetic Devices: Identifying metaphors, repetition, and alliteration (e.g., "whispering, whispering") to enhance mood and meaning.
• Themes of Resilience and Resistance: Recognizing how art and ritual can serve as forms of silent protest and memory.
• Vocabulary Building: Words like tallow, fallow, dismembered, and glittering enrich language skills.

Practical Applications

• In Literature Classes: Use the poem to explore how poetry reflects social history and emotional depth.
• In Art and Craft: Inspire students to create their own woven baskets or symbolic crafts, connecting poetry to hands-on learning.
• In Social Studies: Discuss historical power dynamics and the lives of peasants or workers.
• In Personal Growth: Encourage reflection on patience, hope, and endurance during challenging times.

Reading Comprehension Questions

1. What materials are described as sources of light in the poem?
2. How are the baskets described, and what do they symbolize?
3. Who is the "lord" mentioned in the poem, and what is his role?
4. What is the significance of the phrase "mary, mary" in the poem?
5. How does the poem use the imagery of winter and snow?
6. What emotions or themes does the poem evoke?
7. How do the final lines connect the physical act of weaving to human qualities?

Answers

1. The poem mentions tallow, tinder, and the silken rope of wick as sources of light.
2. The baskets are woven from long gold strands of wheat and symbolize both physical creation and emotional or spiritual burdens.
3. The "lord" is a figure of authority who sold the people to the glory fields, representing oppression and betrayal.
4. The phrase "mary, mary" is a whispered, possibly sacred or secret response, symbolizing silence, faith, or resistance.
5. Winter and snow symbolize hardship, waiting, and the passage of time, creating a cold and expectant atmosphere.
6. The poem evokes feelings of endurance, sorrow, hope, and quiet resistance.
7. The final lines link weaving baskets to the unity of head, hand, and heart, emphasizing the integration of thought, labor, and emotion.

This poem offers a rich tapestry of meaning that can deepen students’ appreciation of poetry, history, and human resilience.