Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"The Impossible Marriage" by Donald Hall is a whimsical and poignant reflection on the idea of a union between two vastly different poets, symbolizing the challenges and incompatibilities inherent in certain relationships. The poem uses vivid imagery and references to convey the contrasting natures of the individuals involved and the ultimately unachievable nature of their union.

The poem opens with a dramatic scene: "The bride disappears. After twenty minutes of searching / we discover her in the cellar, vanishing against a pillar / in her white gown and her skin's original pallor." This imagery of the bride blending into the cellar's environment suggests a retreat into solitude and a merging with the background, highlighting her introverted and elusive nature.

When the bride is brought back to the altar, the focus shifts to the groom: "we find the groom / in his slouch hat, open shirt, and untended beard / withdrawn to the belltower with the healthy young sexton / from whose comradeship we detach him with difficulty." The groom's casual appearance and his retreat to the belltower with the sexton emphasize his nonconformity and his preference for companionship over conventional commitment. His reluctance to leave the belltower underscores his independent and unconventional spirit.

The poem then moves to a broader reflection: "Oh, never in all the cathedrals and academies / of compulsory Democracy and free-thinking Calvinism / will these poets marry!" This line highlights the stark differences between the two individuals, suggesting that no matter how society's institutions—be they religious or educational—try to bring them together, their union remains impossible.

The closing lines of the poem invoke two iconic poets: "O pale, passionate / anchoret of Amherst! O reticent kosmos of Brooklyn!" The "pale, passionate anchoret of Amherst" refers to Emily Dickinson, known for her reclusive lifestyle and deeply introspective poetry. The "reticent kosmos of Brooklyn" refers to Walt Whitman, whose expansive and outward-looking poetry celebrates the diverse experiences of America. These references underscore the profound differences between the two poets, embodying the poem's central theme of irreconcilable differences.

"The Impossible Marriage" by Donald Hall captures the essence of incompatibility through the lens of two contrasting poets. Through vivid imagery and thoughtful references, the poem explores the idea that some unions, no matter how desirable they may seem, are ultimately unattainable due to fundamental differences in nature and disposition. The poem invites readers to reflect on the complexities of relationships and the challenges of bridging seemingly insurmountable divides.

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