Abandoned Farmhouse
by Ted Kooser
He was a big man, says the size of his shoes
on a pile of broken dishes by the house;
a tall man too, says the length of the bed
in an upstairs room; and a good, God‑fearing man,
says the Bible with a broken back
on the floor below the window, dusty with sun;
but not a man for farming, say the fields
cluttered with boulders and the leaky barn.A woman lived with him, says the bedroom wall
papered with lilacs and the kitchen shelves
covered with oilcloth, and they had a child,
says the sandbox made from a tractor tire.
Money was scarce, say the jars of plum preserves
and canned tomatoes sealed in the cellar hole.
And the winters cold, say the rags in the window frames.
It was lonely here, says the narrow country road.Something went wrong, says the empty house
in the weed choked yard. Stones in the fields
say he was not a farmer; the still sealed jars
in the cellar say she left in a nervous haste.
And the child? Its toys are strewn in the yard
like branches after a storm—a rubber cow,
a rusty tractor with a broken plow,
a doll in overalls. Something went wrong, they say.
Summary of Abandoned Farmhouse
- Popularity of “Abandoned Farmhouse”: This poem, written by the acclaimed American poet Ted Kooser, is a haunting exploration of mystery, tragedy, and sorrow. It first appeared in 2002 in his collection Sure Signs: New and Selected Poems. The poem offers a silent narrative, with the speaker acting as an observer who interprets the remnants of a once‑lived life within an abandoned dwelling. Through careful attention to everyday objects, the poem reconstructs a poignant story of hardship and loss.
- “Abandoned Farmhouse” as a Representation of Sorrow: The poem centers on a melancholic, aging, and deserted farmhouse. The emptiness of the house evokes a profound sadness. The speaker infers the family’s poverty from observations of the surrounding environment and the objects left behind. The poem begins by establishing the man of the house – his large shoes and bed hint at his physical stature. The worn Bible signals his spirituality, while the boulder strewn fields and dilapidated barn suggest a struggle with farming. As the poem unfolds, details emerge regarding a woman who lived there, evidenced by the lilac wallpaper and oilcloth‑covered shelves. The sandbox reveals the presence of a child, completing the picture of a family. Preserved food and rags in the window frames speak to hardship and the cold winters they endured. The speaker wonders what misfortune may have befallen this family—perhaps war, a natural disaster, or simply the weight of unrelenting poverty.
- Major Themes in “Abandoned Farmhouse”: Sorrow, poverty, and abandonment are the central themes explored within this poem. The speaker skillfully employs descriptive details of neglected objects to evoke a sense of loss and to conjecture about the lives of those who once inhabited the house. The scattered possessions, preserved food, and barren land collectively suggest a hasty departure, possibly prompted by unforeseen circumstances. The poem powerfully hints that enduring stories are held within seemingly inanimate objects.
Analysis of Literary Devices Used in “Abandoned Farmhouse”
- Assonance: Assonance, the repetition of vowel sounds within close proximity, enhances the musicality of the poem. Consider the line “A woman lived with him, says the bedroom wall” – the repeated short i sound creates a subtle echo. Similarly, the repetition of the short o sound in “a doll in overalls. Something went wrong, they say” adds to the poem’s lyrical quality.
- Alliteration: Alliteration, the repetition of consonant sounds at the beginning of words, adds emphasis and texture to certain phrases. For example, the repetition of the b sound in “says the Bible with a broken back” draws attention to the image and adds a rhythmic quality. The repetition of the t sound in “says the sandbox made from a tractor tire” also contributes to the poem’s sonic appeal.
- Consonance: Consonance, the repetition of consonant sounds within words, contributes to the poem’s overall texture. The repetition of the s sound in “Money was scarce, say the jars of plum preserves” creates a subtle, whispering effect, mirroring the quiet atmosphere of the abandoned farmhouse.
- Enjambment: Enjambment, the continuation of a sentence or phrase from one line of poetry to the next without a pause, creates a sense of fluidity and momentum. Observe the following lines:
“Something went wrong, says the empty house
in the weed choked yard. Stones in the fields
say he was not a farmer; the still sealed jars
in the cellar say she left in a nervous haste.”The enjambment compels the reader to move seamlessly through the lines, mirroring the continuous flow of time and the lingering echoes of the past.
- Imagery: Kooser masterfully employs imagery, appealing to the reader’s five senses to create a vivid and immersive experience. “In the weed choked yard. Stones in the fields” paints a visual picture of neglect. “He was a big man, says the size of his shoes” uses tactile imagery, allowing the reader to almost feel the weight of the shoes. “Says the sandbox made from a tractor tire” creates a striking visual image, hinting at resourcefulness and perhaps hardship.
- Personification: The poem frequently employs personification, attributing human qualities to inanimate objects. “He was a big man, says the size of his shoes” gives voice to the shoes, implying they speak to the man’s stature. “A woman lived with him, says the bedroom wall” suggests the wall holds memories of her presence. “Something went wrong, says the empty house” transforms the house into a silent witness, conveying a sense of unease and mystery.
- Simile: Kooser uses simile, a comparison between two unlike things using “like” or “as,” to create evocative imagery and deepen meaning. In the final stanza, “Its toys are strewn in the yard like branches after a storm” – the comparison suggests both the randomness of the discarded toys and the violence of the unseen event that led to the family’s abandonment.
Analysis of Poetic Devices Used in “Abandoned Farmhouse”
- Free Verse: “Abandoned Farmhouse” is a prime example of free verse poetry. It does not adhere to a strict rhyme scheme or meter. The poem’s rhythm and flow are determined by the natural cadence of speech and the deliberate arrangement of words and phrases, allowing for flexibility and a conversational tone.
- Repetition: The repetition of the phrase “Something went wrong” serves as a haunting refrain throughout the poem. This repetition emphasizes the underlying sense of tragedy and loss, creating a musical quality and reinforcing the poem’s central theme.
- Refrain: As mentioned above, “Something went wrong” functions as a refrain, appearing at key moments to underscore the poem’s sense of mystery and unanswered questions. The deliberate placement of this refrain creates a sense of inevitability and reinforces the poem’s melancholic mood.
- Stanza: The poem is structured into three stanzas, each containing eight lines. This consistent stanzaic form provides a sense of order and balance while allowing for a natural progression of thought and imagery.
Quotes to be Used
The following lines are particularly effective in conveying the poverty and hardship experienced by the family:
“Money was scarce, say the jars of plum preserves
and canned tomatoes sealed in the cellar hole.
And the winters cold, say the rags in the window frames.
It was lonely here, says the narrow country road.”
These lines paint a vivid picture of a family struggling to make ends meet, highlighting their resourcefulness and the harsh realities of their existence. They can be used to illustrate themes of poverty, resilience, and loss.