Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Carolyn Forché's "Reunion" is a poignant and evocative exploration of memory, intimacy, and the passage of time. Through vivid imagery and reflective narration, the poem captures a moment from the past, juxtaposing it with the present, and delving into the complexities of human connection.

The poem begins with an epigraph from Mallarmé: "Just as he changes himself, in the end eternity changes him." This sets the tone for the themes of transformation and the enduring impact of moments on one's life. The epigraph suggests that the passage of time and the experiences we go through inevitably alter us.

The opening lines introduce the voice of a deceased woman singing on a phonograph, setting a nostalgic and melancholic mood. The song, about a man who could make her do anything, mirrors the speaker's own reflections on a past relationship. This connection to the voice from the phonograph suggests that the memories being revisited are as distant yet vivid as the voice of the singer.

The setting is described with careful detail: "On the table, two fragile / glasses of black wine, / a bottle wrapped in its towel." The fragility of the glasses and the intimacy of the shared wine create a sense of tenderness and vulnerability. The room, remembered in multiple cities, serves as a universal space for the speaker's memories: "the bed, a block / of moonlight and pillows." This imagery evokes a sense of intimacy and the shared experience of love.

The speaker's memories are intensely physical and sensory: "My fingernails, pecks of light / on your thighs. / The stink of the fire escape. / The wet butts of cigarettes / you crushed one after another." These details ground the memory in the tangible, creating a vivid picture of the past.

The relationship is further explored through the lens of age and power dynamics: "How I watched the morning come / as you slept, more my son / than a man ten years older." This line suggests a complex dynamic, where the speaker feels a maternal tenderness towards the lover, highlighting the multifaceted nature of their connection.

The poem then shifts to the present, reflecting on how these past experiences have shaped the speaker: "How my breasts feel, years / later, the tongues swishing / in my dress, some yours, some / left by other men." The physical memory of the lover's touch mingles with those of others, illustrating the lasting impact of intimate moments and the accumulation of experiences over time.

The speaker has adapted to the rhythms of life, learning to leave beds quietly and wash away the remnants of these encounters: "I have learned / to leave a bed without being / seen and have stood / at the washbasins, wiping oil / and salt from my skin." This act of cleansing symbolizes a ritual of moving on, yet the memories remain indelible.

The poem's conclusion circles back to the voice on the phonograph and the theme of enduring memory: "I have kept everything / you whispered to me then." The final lines encapsulate the essence of their relationship: "how much tenderness we could / wedge between a stairwell / and a police lock, or as it was, / as it still is, in the voice / of a woman singing of a man / who could make her do anything." This closing thought ties the past to the present, suggesting that the tenderness and intensity of their connection persist, much like the haunting voice of the singer.

"Reunion" by Carolyn Forché is a beautifully crafted meditation on the complexities of love, memory, and the passage of time. Through its rich, sensory language and reflective tone, the poem captures the enduring impact of intimate moments and the ways in which they shape and transform us. The interplay between past and present, physical and emotional, creates a powerful and evocative exploration of human connection.

Copyright (c) 2024 PoetryExplorer

Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!

Other Poems of Interest...