Otherwise By Jane Kenyon Summary

In Jane Kenyon’s poem, “Otherwise” the day is described is a mundane, yet amazing, experience. She explains the day from when she gets up in the morning until she is laid to rest in the evening. Although the day is described simplistically, the poet hones in on the fact that the day could have been far worse with the repetition of the word, “otherwise”. Kenyon uses multiple forms of symbolism and imagery in her poem to give the words vivacity. Yet, she uses language that is deliberately simple, direct, and clear. Kenyon is determined to not take anything in her life for granted, rather pay attention and acknowledge anything and everything.
Jane writes to give the simple things in her life significance. When she describes her breakfast she says, “I ate cereal, sweet milk, ripe, flawless peach.” These are all things that a common person would eat for their most important meal. Yet, they are each given a special niche in her life. In doing this, Kenyon is able to bring the poem to life; focusing on how lucky she is to have the things that she does. She does not use language that over-complicates her blessings, or undermines them. She simply states them as they are. …show more content…
They way she writes the poem, as well as the way it is formatted (written in only two short stanzas), further exhibits the idea that life is short and fleeting. She emphasizes on the fact that all that is young will not stay as it once was. The good things in her life; health, sustenance, nature, work, love, companionship, comfort, and rest will not last forever. Although, for now, she appreciates the fact that they are her’s in the