Sonrisas
By Pat Mora
I live in a doorway
between two rooms. I hear
quiet clicks, cups of black
coffee, click, click like facts
budgets, tenure, curriculum,
from careful women in crisp beige
suits, quick beige smiles
that seldom sneak into their eyes.I peek
in the other room señoras
in faded dresses stir sweet
milk coffee, laughter whirls
with steam from fresh tamales
sh, sh, mucho ruido,sh, sh, mucho ruido,
they scold one another,
press their lips, trap smiles
in their dark, Mexican eyes.
Summary of Sonrisas
- Understanding “Sonrisas”: “Sonrisas” (Smiles) is a poignant poem by Pat Mora, first published in her 1986 collection, Borders. The poem beautifully captures the experience of existing between two worlds, symbolized by two distinct rooms. It’s a subtle yet powerful exploration of cultural identity, contrasting the outward appearances and inner lives of two groups of women.
- The Poem as a Reflection of Dual Identity: Mora’s poem presents a speaker observing life from a threshold—a doorway. This doorway is not merely a physical space, but a metaphor for the poet’s position as someone navigating between cultures. The two rooms represent different ways of life, and the poem skillfully portrays the nuances of each.
- Central Themes in “Sonrisas”: At its heart, “Sonrisas” explores themes of cultural contrast, hidden emotions, and the complexities of identity. It also touches upon the quiet dignity and resilience of women, even when they suppress their true feelings. The poem invites us to look beyond surface appearances and consider the unspoken stories within.
In-Depth Analysis of “Sonrisas”
Exploring the Poem’s Structure and Form
“Sonrisas” is a free verse poem, meaning it does not adhere to a strict rhyme scheme or metrical pattern. This allows Mora to create a natural, conversational tone, mirroring the way we observe and process the world around us. The poem is divided into two stanzas, each focusing on one of the “rooms” and the women within. This structure reinforces the poem’s central theme of duality and contrast.
Analyzing Key Literary Devices
Imagery and Sensory Details
Mora masterfully employs imagery to bring the two rooms to life. In the first stanza, we see “quiet clicks,” “cups of black coffee,” and “crisp beige suits.” These details evoke a sense of formality, restraint, and perhaps a certain coldness. In contrast, the second stanza is filled with warmer, more vibrant images: “faded dresses,” “sweet milk coffee,” and “laughter whirls with steam.” The poet appeals to our senses—sight, sound, and even smell—to create a vivid and immersive experience for the reader.
For example, the line “laughter whirls with steam from fresh tamales” isn’t simply a description of a scene; it’s a sensory explosion that conveys a sense of warmth, abundance, and joy.
Symbolism and Metaphor
The most prominent symbol in the poem is the doorway itself. It represents the liminal space between two worlds, the poet’s position as an observer, and the challenges of navigating between cultures. The two rooms are metaphors for different ways of life, each with its own set of values, expectations, and emotional landscapes.
The “smiles” of the title, and those referenced throughout the poem, are also symbolic. In the first room, the smiles are described as “quick beige smiles that seldom sneak into their eyes.” This suggests that these smiles are superficial, masking a deeper emotional reserve. In contrast, the smiles in the second room are “trapped” in their eyes, hinting at a genuine warmth and joy that is sometimes suppressed or hidden.
Diction and Tone
Mora’s carefully chosen diction contributes significantly to the poem’s overall tone. The first stanza is characterized by formal, precise language—words like “tenure,” “curriculum,” and “careful.” This reflects the controlled, restrained atmosphere of the first room. The second stanza features more colloquial, emotionally charged language—words like “señoras,” “sh, sh,” and “mucho ruido.” This creates a warmer, more intimate tone. The inclusion of Spanish phrases, like “señoras” and “mucho ruido,” subtly emphasizes the cultural identity of the women in the second room and adds authenticity to the poem.
Exploring Poetic Devices
Enjambment and Flow
Mora utilizes enjambment—the continuation of a sentence or phrase from one line to the next—to create a natural, flowing rhythm and to emphasize certain words or phrases. For example, consider the lines:
from careful women in crisp beige
suits, quick beige smiles
that seldom sneak into their eyes.
The enjambment of “careful women” and “crisp beige” draws our attention to these details and creates a sense of momentum.
Assonance and Consonance
Subtle use of assonance (repetition of vowel sounds) and consonance (repetition of consonant sounds) adds a musicality to the poem. For example, the repetition of the /s/ sound in “seldom sneak” and the /k/ sound in “clicks, click” creates a subtle but noticeable sonic effect. These devices contribute to the poem’s overall aesthetic appeal.
Personification
While not overt, there’s a subtle personification of emotions, particularly in the way smiles are described. The “trapped smiles” in the eyes of the women in the second room suggest that these smiles have a life of their own, capable of being held captive or released.
Lines for Reflection and Discussion
The following lines from “Sonrisas” are particularly evocative and lend themselves well to deeper analysis:
they scold one another,
press their lips, trap smiles
in their dark, Mexican eyes.
These lines capture the complexity of human relationships and the ways in which emotions can be both expressed and suppressed. The image of “trapped smiles” is particularly poignant, suggesting that these women are holding back a part of themselves, perhaps out of fear, pride, or a sense of obligation.
“Sonrisas” is a deceptively simple poem that offers a wealth of meaning and invites multiple interpretations. By carefully analyzing its language, imagery, and poetic devices, we can gain a deeper appreciation for Mora’s artistry and the poem’s enduring relevance.