Melo-Moore 1

Gabby Melo-Moore

Mr. Gallagher

AP Literature

12 December 2010

Often I am Permitted

In Robert Duncan’s Often I am Permitted he exemplifies the idea that a memory

can be dwelled on because emotions are capable of taking over an individual’s mind and

soul. Emotional connotations are subtle and private. Yet, throughout the poem Duncan

creates a narrator who constantly seems to have these thoughts that he is able to return

back to a place where he feels recovered and secured. The narrator describes this meadow

with great imagery, creates an allusion to God and the First Lady, and often repeats

sentences that get the point across that returning to the meadow is an illusion in his mind.

Throughout the poem, the narrator describes this meadow in his mind with

fantastic detail. The readers are allowed to envision the meadow based on the image that

the narrator presents. “It is only a dream of the grass blowing east against the source of

the sun in an hour before the sun’s going down” (line 15-17) Here, the narrator

beautifully establishes the vision of the meadow. It is clear that the narrator strongly has

the features of the meadow embedded in his head from the way he is able to describe it.

The narrator’s mind is constantly able to return to this place where he feels secured and

rejuvenated.

Duncan uses an allusion to God and the First Lady in the poem to explain that

every time he thinks of the meadow, he is inspired by the creativity and the freedom that
 Melo-Moore 2

was given by God. “I say are likenesses of the First Beloved whose flowers are flames lit

to the Lady.” (line 10-11) It seems that when the narrator returns to the meadow

he is at peace. Duncan also uses a childhood memory (for most children) that is serene.

“whose secret we see in a children’s game of ring a round of roses told.” (line 18-19) The

narrator is showing how calm and composed he is when he thinks of this place by

depicting insinuations to God being tranquil and a childhood memory, where everyone

loves returning to because everything in life was humble.

The narrator continuously repeats the fact that this meadow is in his mind. “as if it

were a scene made-up by the mind, that is not mine, but is a made place, that is mine, it is

so near to the heart.” (line 2-4) Here it is portrayed that the meadow is so close to the

narrator’s heart. He is able to state the fact that the meadow is embedded into his mind

and that he cherishes it. Therefore, the narrator is able to describe it with great detail and

show that it makes him feel at peace whenever he is able to return there.

Robert Duncan creates a narrator in Often I am Permitted who reminisces about a

place where he feels relaxed; a meadow. Duncan uses majestic detail to describe the

meadow. He also allows the narrator to allude back to peaceful ideas that show how he

feels when he returns to the meadow. The narrator is able to represent how close to his

heart and how entrenched in his mind the meadow is. It may be the only place where he

feels he can return to be secured and feel invigorated.