Stripping and Putting on

“Stripping and Putting On”

This May Swenson poem speaks about the disappointments, false beliefs, corruption, and even racism that plague the world. These attitudes prompt a refusal and an apparent unnecessary need of earthly things; this is supported by Swenson using “never” frequently throughout the poem. The speaker does not want to be dependent on anybody or have any responsibilities that may keep her stationary, rather constant movement and free will is her guide. Swenson obviously has strong beliefs and convictions about the shortcomings of this world but still unveils the possibility of hope for future generations. The “Stripping” is ridden oneself of the burdens of the world that weigh one down with complication and confusion. The “Putting On” is the visions of optimism that one day a fresh new garment can be put on to clear the slate and the world can start anew. However, the new world spoken of is one that she creates so possibly Swenson is just “putting on” the reader with such a far fetched idea.

The poem begins beautifully with “I always felt like a bird blown through the world. I never felt like a tree.” Obviously two similes in the first two lines provide the vision of a free spirited individual who does not want to be stuck in one place, to avoid the same daily routines. This free spirit is reinforced by the lines “I wanted to move by whatever throb my muscles sent to me.” This constant movement obviously caused her to have no need for a permanent residence. “I never wanted a patch of this earth to stand in, that would stick to me…..Never needed a nest, unless for the night (nice alliteration), or when winter overtook me.” Literally, the speaker sounds like an aimless drifter; it would difficult to fathom sleeping in a different place every night except if cold weather prevents movement. On a deeper level, the imagery speaks to the soul, that of a restless soul, driven to move and not form attachments to any given place.

Swenson also writes that she has no need for car, boat, or air travel which would indicate that she feels time is not of the essence. However if she did require a mode of transportation it would be on the back of an animal, “If I rode, I’d rather another animal: horse, camel, or shrewd donkey.” The “shrewd donkey” is the only humorous part of the poem. It is amusing since it is an oxymoron (smart-jack ass) and the implication that any old horse or camel would be fine but only a smart donkey will do for her travels.

Next, lines thirteen and fourteen struck me as odd. “Never wanted an extra skin between mine and the sun, for vanity or modesty.” If the poem is taken literally and the writer is traveling by foot and animal so frequently, surely they would be in the sun and thus develop a suntan. Obviously the person in this poem is not a bikini wearing beach bum.

Swenson even goes as far to say that she “Would rather not have parents, had no yen for a child, and never felt brotherly.” This is a strong admission that these individuals will bog her down and complicate life. However, the one anomaly in the poem is that she does have and accept friends in her life. “But I’d borrow or lend love of friend. Let friend be not stronger or weaker than me.” It is noteworthy that she does not want the dominate, threatening presence of a stronger-willed person than herself, however for the same reason as wanting no family, she doesn’t wish to have weak friends holding her back. In truth, strong and weak willed people require more time and attention in one’s life.

Swenson doesn’t subscribe to the presence of God in what I believe to be the most