Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Carolyn Kizer’s “Epithalamion” captures the ephemeral beauty and complex dynamics of a profound romantic encounter, imbued with rich, aquatic imagery that evokes a sense of fluidity and motion. The poem, traditionally a wedding song, is transformed into a lyrical meditation on the intimate connection between two lovers, their physical and emotional merging, and the inevitable separation that follows.

The opening lines immediately plunge the reader into a scene of intensity and wonder: "You left me gasping on the shore, / A fabulous fish, all gill / And gilded scales." The speaker compares herself to a magnificent fish, a creature of the sea, suggesting a transformation or a state of being caught between worlds. The imagery of “gilded scales” emphasizes both beauty and fragility, setting the stage for the exploration of transient intimacy.

Kizer continues to weave the sea metaphor throughout the poem, describing how their “mirror selves / Slipped back to sea, unsundering, bumped gently there.” This reflection on their unity and subsequent return to the sea conveys the idea of a temporary but complete merging of identities, a moment of perfect harmony. The room, described as a bay, and the lovers, as floating entities, emphasize the fluid, dreamlike quality of their encounter: “The room a bay, and we, / Afloat on lapping, gazes laving, / Glistered in its spume.” The language here is rich with sensory detail, immersing the reader in the gentle, rhythmic motions of the sea.

The ceiling, described as “all cerulean / With small, speeding clouds,” brings a sky-like element into the aquatic setting, blurring the boundaries between land, sea, and sky. This image suggests a vast, encompassing experience that transcends physical spaces. The act of reeling in the speaker, “So you reeled in me, / Reeling,” plays with the dual meaning of the word, indicating both the physical drawing in and the dizzying emotional impact of their connection.

As the poem progresses, the physicality of their touch is depicted as ethereal: “Our touch was puffed and cloudy now, / As if the most impaled and passionate thought / Was tentative in flesh.” This paradox highlights the fragility of human connection, where even the most intense emotions can feel delicate and fleeting when manifested in the physical realm. The “frail / Smile seemed, in our bodies' wash, / Like a rock-light at sea,” symbolizes a small but resilient beacon amidst the vast, shifting ocean, representing the enduring nature of their bond despite its fragility.

The final lines of the poem reflect the tension between unity and separation: “Still, you will not turn aside, / Your face fallow, eyes touching. / So I cling to your tendrils of hair, / Our two tides turning / Together: toward and away / With the moon, motionless and sailing.” The imagery of tides and the moon underscores the natural ebb and flow of their relationship, suggesting an ongoing cycle of coming together and drifting apart. The moon, a symbol of constancy and change, mirrors their motionless yet ever-sailing connection, highlighting the paradox of a love that is both steadfast and in flux.

In “Epithalamion,” Kizer masterfully employs aquatic and celestial imagery to explore the depth and complexity of intimate relationships. The poem’s rich, sensory language and intricate metaphors create a vivid portrayal of love’s transient beauty and enduring strength. Through the lens of a momentary yet profound encounter, Kizer invites readers to reflect on the fluid nature of human connection and the delicate balance between unity and individuality.