Interpretation of the poem For Her Surgery by Jack Butler

The poem begins with a throwback to the poetry of Sylvia Plath. The image of “the moon” represents the female element and stands for the mysterious “her” of the title. The end of the first stanza, brings out the full poignancy of this image. There are connotations of the menstrual cycle and talks about fertility. For some reason, this female has been rendered infertile by this surgery. The starting phrase of the other stanza “over the city” and the word “scrim” takes on a new meaning. It tells about their alienation from the rest of the society. “Scrim” literally refers to an opaque curtain used in theatre which when lit from the front appears transparent from behind. The use of this word conveys about a performance and staged deceit, but in conjunction with “mist,” it suggests about facets that are hidden depending on one’s position. In the wider circle, the “city” if you like, might be interpreted as the couple have chosen not to have children. The sadness of being “scarred,” is rendered acutely by the fact that they are ashamed at this failure as to put forward this pretence or “scrim.”

The natural imagery and also of pregnancy is seen in every stanza of the poem. Words and phrases like “com[ing] full again,” the “flowers,” the “bloom,” point towards this point. Also, the mention of “Easter” – the time of vernal rebirth and resurrection is interspersed with an acrid undertone. Words and phrases like “slow, slow”, the wind “bleeds”, the lawn is “dark”; show that nature too laments like the grieving couple. The names of the flowers and the meanings associated with them are included in the poem to add more to the matter. “Jessamine, rose” – are traditionally used as wedding garlands and are signs of purity. “Dais[ies]” are the symbol of innocence. It is also given to new mothers, but it indicates that the recipient is skilled at keeping secrets. “Salvia lyrata”, is a lyre-leaf sage well-known for its medicinal properties. The allegories highlight what the narrator is unable to reconcile himself with. The thoughts of healing seem futile.

The final stanza is about a blind suffering. The suffering of the ones can’t conceive and the aversion they face from the society which demands fertility at any price. The reader is tols that “Children bear children” and that once that function has been removed, there is no use for them. Also, the merging of pronouns create a solid, united front. It refers to “us.” In the final line, the maternal aspect is removed from the “moon.” She is addressed as “timeless” and is thus destined to remain ever virginal and detached.