Oct. 13
After Rain - P.K. Page {1954}
After Rain centres a feminine point of view. This peaceful poem is a favourite of mine; something as simple as admiring her garden still holds such power behind the lines. As many women writers have, Page experiences discrimination for her work. She is not always taken seriously (neither was femininity). Despite it all, Page embraces her femininity and channels it towards her work.
This song like rhythm of this poem aids to its peaceful quality. The speaker practices presence by taking in every aspect of their surroundings and finding "such female whimsy" in the scenes nature creates. After the rain comes the calm and Page revels in this.
The speaker's mindset and her femininity shapes the beauty she sees. She has accepted her circumstance and opened up her mind (a modernist quality), thus projecting her internal feelings. Because she is in touch with her femininity she has access to this positive outlook which contrasts to Giovanni, the broken man -- presumably one that perpetuates toxic masculinity -- that can only see what the rain has ruined.
After Rain represents peace, presence, and most importantly accepting and embracing femininity.
