Poetry Review 11 

Something Permanent

by Cynthia Rylant

Photographs by Walker Evans

Bibliography

Rylant, C. (1994). Something Permanent. (W. Evans, Photog.). Harcourt Bruce & Company.

Summary

Something Permanent is a collection of 30 poems written and inspired by photographs taken during The Great Depression in 1930s United States. Most photographs were taken in Alabama and the Southeastern United States, but a few were taken in New York City. Each spread contains one photograph along with a poem inspired by the photograph and author research. Emphasis is placed upon objects, settings, and animals to convey emotion and plight and poverty and desire and need. Images are appropriate for all age levels; however, the mature content of the poetry makes it more appropriate for middle grade levels to young adults. 

Analysis

One free verse poem in particular stands out for the struggle and emotions at play from desperation during this historical timeframe. “Mule” begins a conversation about feelings, rationale, status, poverty, farming, dependence, and need. While figurative language, imagery, and symbolism are not the TEKS, collaborative planning may help join the key interpretations of the poem. What is the symbol in the poem? What does it represent? Why?

M U L E

He loved her,

though he never let on,

and not just because having her

raised him up the social ladder

a notch.

No, because she had a hell of a

sense of humor

and seemed to enjoy his company

more than most.

He knew better than to get attached

to a mule,

because one season of bad crops

and he’d be back to

pushing the plow himself,

selling her for beans and lard and

trying to forget he’d almost

turned her into something permanent.

A friend.

Spotlight Activity

Students in the middle grades have TEKS that cover The Great Depression, reviewing it from a social, political, and environmental perspective. The poetry for this cross-curricular topic in Texas middle schools provides a deep dive into the personal perspective.

Rylant here did research on the time period, but she did not necessarily have all the details needed to articulate precisely who was involved and what was happening in each photo. The photographs inspired her poetry and her research informed it.

As a project, students may use photographs to inspire their own poetry writing. An assignment like this may take many forms. For social studies in particular, it may include reviewing historical photos and artwork related to the TEKS before using knowledge of a time period to write poetry inspired or informed by, or complementing, a photograph.