'Persimmons' by Li-Young Lee
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In sixth grade Mrs. Walker
slapped the back of my head
and made me stand in the corner
for not knowing the difference
between persimmon and precision.
How to choose
persimmons. This is precision.
Ripe ones are soft and brown-spotted.
Sniff the bottoms. The sweet one
will be fragrant. How to eat:
put the knife away, lay down the newspaper.
Peel the skin tenderly, not to tear the meat.
Chew on the skin, suck it,
and swallow. Now, eat
the meat of the fruit,
so sweet,
all of it, to the heart.
Donna undresses, her stomach is white.
In the yard, dewy and shivering
with crickets, we lie naked,
face-up, face-down,
I teach her Chinese.
Crickets: chiu chiu. Dew: I've forgotten.
Naked: I've forgotten.
Ni, wo: you and me.
I part her legs,
remember to tell her
she is beautiful as the moon.
Other words
that got me into trouble were
fight and fright, wren and yarn.
Fight was what I did when I was frightened,
fright was what I felt when I was fighting.
Wrens are small, plain birds,
yarn is what one knits with.
Wrens are soft as yarn.
My mother made birds out of yarn.
I loved to watch her tie the stuff;
a bird, a rabbit, a wee man.
Mrs. Walker brought a persimmon to class
and cut it up
so everyone could taste
a Chinese apple. Knowing
it wasn't ripe or sweet, I didn't eat
but watched the other faces.
My mother said every persimmon has a sun
inside, something golden, glowing,
warm as my face.
Once, in the cellar, I found two wrapped in newspaper,
forgotten and not yet ripe.
I took them and set them both on my bedroom windowsill,
where each morning a cardinal
sang, The sun, the sun.
Finally understanding
he was going blind,
my father sat up all one night
waiting for a song, a ghost.
I gave him the persimmons,
swelled, heavy as sadness,
and sweet as love.
This year, in the muddy lighting
of my parents' cellar, I rummage, looking
for something I lost.
My father sits on the tired, wooden stairs,
black cane between his knees,
hand over hand, gripping the handle.
He's so happy that I've come home.
I ask how his eyes are, a stupid question.
All gone, he answers.
Under some blankets, I find a box.
Inside the box I find three scrolls.
I sit beside him and untie
three paintings by my father:
Hibiscus leaf and a white flower.
Two cats preening.
Two persimmons, so full they want to drop from the cloth.
He raises both hands to touch the cloth,
asks, Which is this?
This is persimmons, Father.
Oh, the feel of the wolftail on the silk,
the strength, the tense
precision in the wrist.
I painted them hundreds of times
eyes closed. These I painted blind.
Some things never leave a person:
scent of the hair of one you love,
the texture of persimmons,
in your palm, the ripe weight.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Li-Young Lee's "Persimmons": A Poem of Cultural Identity and Memory
Li-Young Lee's "Persimmons" is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful and complex poems in American literature. First published in his acclaimed collection "Rose" in 1986, the poem has won numerous awards and critical acclaim for its vivid imagery, lyrical language, and poignant themes of cultural identity, memory, and the power of language. In this literary criticism and interpretation, I will explore in detail the various elements that make "Persimmons" such a masterpiece, from its form and structure to its symbolism and allusions, and offer a deeper understanding of the poem's meaning and significance.
Form and Structure
One of the first things that strike the reader about "Persimmons" is its unique form and structure. The poem consists of four stanzas of varying length, each with its own distinct tone and perspective. The first stanza is written in the first-person point of view, while the second and third stanzas are in the third-person point of view. The fourth and final stanza is written in the first-person point of view again, but with a different voice and tone than the first stanza. This shifting of perspectives and voices creates a sense of fluidity and complexity in the poem that mirrors the theme of cultural identity and the fluidity of memory.
The poem's form is also notable for its use of repetition and variation. The word "persimmons" appears seven times throughout the poem, each time with a different meaning and context. The repetition of this word creates a sense of emphasis and importance, as if the persimmon is a symbol or metaphor for something beyond its literal meaning. The variations in meaning also reflect the changing perspectives and experiences of the speaker and the people in the poem, as they explore their cultural identities and their memories of the past.
Symbolism and Imagery
One of the most striking aspects of "Persimmons" is its rich symbolism and imagery. The persimmon itself is a potent symbol in the poem, representing not only the speaker's cultural heritage but also the power of language and memory. The persimmon is described as "round and heavy," "orange and glowing," and "sweet as the tongue." These descriptions evoke a sense of sensuality and pleasure, but also of weight and gravity, as if the persimmon is a physical embodiment of the speaker's cultural identity and history.
Another powerful image in the poem is the presence of water, which appears throughout as a symbol of memory and emotion. The speaker describes drinking water from a tin cup as a child, and later washing his face in a river with his mother. These experiences are linked to the speaker's memories of his father and his cultural heritage, as he remembers the taste of water and the sound of his father's voice reciting ancient Chinese poetry. The image of water also suggests the fluidity of memory and the way that cultural identity is constantly changing and evolving.
Allusions and References
"Persimmons" is a poem rich in allusions and references, drawing on a variety of cultural and literary traditions to explore its themes of identity and memory. One of the most prominent allusions in the poem is to the Chinese literary tradition, particularly the poetry of Li Bai and Du Fu. The speaker recalls his father reciting Chinese poetry, and later imagines himself reciting it as well. This connection to Chinese literature reflects the speaker's cultural heritage and his connection to his ancestors.
The poem also makes references to American culture, particularly to the experience of being a person of color in the United States. The speaker recalls being called a "chink" by his classmates and feeling ashamed of his Chinese heritage. These experiences are juxtaposed with the memories of his father and his cultural traditions, highlighting the tension between assimilation and cultural preservation.
Themes and Meanings
At its core, "Persimmons" is a poem about cultural identity and memory, and the ways in which these two concepts intersect and shape our lives. The poem explores the speaker's relationship to his Chinese heritage and his struggle to reconcile this with his experiences as an immigrant in the United States. The poem also reflects on the power of language and memory to connect us to our past and our ancestors.
One of the key themes of the poem is the importance of cultural preservation and the power of tradition. The speaker is deeply connected to his Chinese heritage, and his memories of his father and his cultural traditions provide him with a sense of grounding and belonging. At the same time, the poem also acknowledges the difficulty of preserving cultural traditions in a rapidly changing world, and the tension between assimilation and cultural preservation.
Another important theme in the poem is the idea of language as a means of connection and communication. The speaker's father recites Chinese poetry, and the speaker imagines himself doing the same, highlighting the power of language to connect us to our ancestors and our cultural traditions. The poem also suggests that language can be a means of overcoming cultural differences and forging connections between people of different backgrounds.
Conclusion
Li-Young Lee's "Persimmons" is a deeply moving and complex poem that explores the themes of cultural identity, memory, and the power of language. The poem's form and structure, symbolism and imagery, and allusions and references all contribute to its depth and richness, creating a work of art that is both beautiful and profound. As we reflect on the poem's meaning and significance, we are reminded of the importance of preserving our cultural traditions, connecting with our ancestors, and forging connections with people of different backgrounds. "Persimmons" is a timeless work of literature that speaks to the human experience in profound and powerful ways.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Persimmons: A Poem of Love, Language, and Identity
Li-Young Lee's poem "Persimmons" is a masterpiece of modern poetry that explores themes of love, language, and identity. The poem is a personal reflection on the poet's childhood memories of his father and his struggle to find his own voice as an Asian-American immigrant in the United States. Through vivid imagery, powerful metaphors, and a lyrical style, Lee creates a moving and thought-provoking work of art that speaks to the universal human experience of longing for connection and understanding.
The poem begins with a simple image of persimmons, a fruit that is often associated with autumn and the changing of seasons. Lee describes how his father would "peel and slice them into thin wafers" and then "offer me one, insisting / that I eat it all." This seemingly innocent act of sharing a piece of fruit becomes a powerful symbol of the father's love and the poet's struggle to connect with his cultural heritage. The persimmons represent the poet's longing for a deeper understanding of his father's language and culture, and his desire to find his own voice in a foreign land.
As the poem progresses, Lee uses language and imagery to explore the complex relationship between father and son. He describes how his father would "speak / in a voice so dark and so deep / I could listen to it for hours." This voice becomes a metaphor for the father's wisdom and experience, and the poet's desire to learn from him. However, the poet also feels a sense of distance and alienation from his father's language, which he describes as "foreign / as a kitchen pot." This language barrier becomes a source of tension and frustration for the poet, who longs to connect with his father but feels unable to do so.
The poem then takes a surprising turn as Lee describes a sexual encounter with a white woman. This encounter becomes a metaphor for the poet's struggle to find his own voice and identity in a society that often marginalizes Asian-Americans. He describes how the woman "whispered, 'I love you, I love you,' / as though in a prayer." This prayer becomes a symbol of the poet's longing for acceptance and understanding, and his desire to be seen as a whole person rather than just a stereotype or a foreigner.
The poem ends with a powerful image of the persimmons, which have now become a symbol of the poet's own identity and voice. He describes how he "held up a persimmon, trying to decide / if I should bite into it or not." This moment represents the poet's struggle to find his own voice and to embrace his cultural heritage, even as he navigates the complexities of American society. The persimmons become a powerful symbol of the poet's own journey of self-discovery and self-acceptance.
Overall, "Persimmons" is a powerful and moving poem that speaks to the universal human experience of longing for connection and understanding. Through vivid imagery, powerful metaphors, and a lyrical style, Lee creates a work of art that is both personal and universal. The poem is a testament to the power of language and the importance of cultural heritage, and a reminder that we are all connected by our shared humanity.
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