Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

In "Entanglement," Forrest Gander crafts a vivid and deeply immersive narrative that explores themes of emergence, connection, and transformation within the context of a profound and almost primordial love story. The poem's fragmented, sensory-rich language creates a dreamlike atmosphere, drawing readers into the intimate and transformative experience of the two figures it describes.

The poem begins with the phrase "And begin to emerge," signaling the start of a journey from a state of suspension or dormancy. The "long floating" and "basements of sleep" suggest a deep, almost hibernation-like state from which the figures are awakening. This transition is marked by their movement onto "the earth’s wet stage," a phrase that imbues the scene with theatrical and naturalistic qualities, emphasizing the raw and elemental nature of their emergence.

The intertwining of "hair and leaves mixed with leaves and hair" illustrates the fusion of human and natural elements, blurring the boundaries between them. This merging symbolizes the interconnectedness of all living things and sets the stage for the poem's exploration of vision and perception. The idea of "vision sloughing to make room for vision" suggests a process of shedding old ways of seeing to allow for new insights and understandings.

Gander introduces a caesura, "a space of longing," between the two figures, emphasizing both their connection and the distance that separates them. This pause in the narrative creates a tension that is central to the poem's exploration of desire and connection. The figures are described as "bound by the unwritten," suggesting a deep, unspoken bond that transcends conventional communication.

The description of the figures as "unwakened, their eyes done-in. Open-mouthed and presymbolic" evokes a sense of primal, pre-linguistic existence. Their actions and reactions are described in tactile, visceral terms: "Her great toe tenses with vegetal slowness," and "throat offered each to each." These descriptions highlight the raw, physical nature of their interaction, underscoring their profound connection to the earth and each other.

As the poem progresses, the figures' movements become more defined and expressive. "The fibrous muscles in his thighs twitching" and "Still supine. Strangely receptive to and flush with ground’s swell" suggest a state of heightened sensitivity and responsiveness to their surroundings. The transformation from a state of dormancy to one of heightened awareness and connection is palpable.

Gander portrays the figures as existing in a world separate from our own, where their actions and experiences are infused with a sense of risk and vulnerability. Her "neck pulling birdwise against her shoulder" and his "wobbling, spasmodic" approach toward her convey a delicate, tentative exploration of their connection. The imagery of "her in-bent arms spread like a cormorant’s" and "emphatically angular" positions them in a liminal space between human and animal, emphasizing their raw, instinctual nature.

The repeated phrase "This is a love story. This is a love story" serves as both a grounding statement and a refrain, reinforcing the central theme of the poem. The final lines focus on the man's hand feeling for the woman's face, encapsulating the intimate and tactile nature of their connection.

"Entanglement" is a richly layered and evocative poem that delves into the depths of human connection and transformation. Through Gander's masterful use of imagery and fragmented narrative, the poem captures the raw, elemental nature of love and the profound changes it can bring. The poem invites readers to reflect on the intersections of human and natural worlds, and the ways in which our most intimate connections are deeply rooted in the elemental forces of life.

Copyright (c) 2024 PoetryExplorer

Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!

Other Poems of Interest...