Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

In the fourteenth poem from Adrienne Cecile Rich's collection "Twenty-One Love Poems," the intimate complexities of love are laid bare against a backdrop of physical suffering. The poem starts with a moment that intensifies the emotional connection between the speaker and her loved one-surprisingly, it is a scene of seasickness. The narrator recalls how her lover's interpretation of the boat pilot's actions-intentionally steering "headlong into the waves"-confirms her own "vision" of her partner. This shared perspective is more significant to the speaker than traditional romantic gestures, underscoring a deep emotional and intellectual bond.

The phrase "I never felt closer to you" encapsulates the paradox of the scene: that intimacy can arise from shared discomfort. This discomfort also serves as a foil to the honeymooning couples huddled together in the close cabin. The contrast suggests that true intimacy can exist outside traditional romantic narratives, and often in the most unexpected, uncomfortable circumstances.

The gesture of placing a hand on a thigh is simple yet profoundly meaningful, transcending any romantic clichés. This physical touch becomes a mutual consolation, deepening their connection amid a situation that is both vulnerable and public. The line "we stayed that way, suffering together / in our bodies" speaks to the physicality of their love, which becomes a medium to explore the complexities of human emotion.

The repetition of the phrase "as if all suffering / were physical" serves a dual purpose. On the surface, it reflects the immediate physical distress they are experiencing. Yet, it also acts as a metaphorical layer for the larger societal and emotional suffering they might be undergoing, possibly due to the nonconformity of their relationship. The fact that they "touched so in the presence / of strangers who knew nothing and cared less" adds an element of defiance against societal norms and expectations, as their physical closeness becomes a form of silent protest or resistance.

In this poem, Rich seems to suggest that the deepest levels of understanding and intimacy between two people can often come from shared experiences of discomfort or even suffering. The narrative transcends the immediate scene, offering a glimpse into the emotional richness and complexity that can exist in relationships that defy conventional norms.

The most compelling aspect of the poem may be its realistic depiction of love, a love that isn't idealized or romanticized but is as gritty and physical as it is emotional and intellectual. Rich does not shy away from the unpleasant aspects of life and love, and it's through embracing these elements that her characters find a more profound connection. In doing so, the poem portrays love not as a flight from reality but as a way to face, together, the often harsh conditions of human existence.

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