Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Alice Fulton’s "Powers of Congress" delves into the intricate and often transient nature of existence, exploring themes of transformation, impermanence, and the mundane routines that shape human life. Through vivid imagery and a contemplative tone, Fulton examines the connections between natural processes, human relationships, and societal structures.

The poem begins with a striking image of "lightstruck trees" that "change sun to flamepaths," a metaphor for the natural process of photosynthesis where trees convert sunlight into energy. This transformation highlights the temporary nature of all living things, as they are "on brief loan," destined to eventually transfer their stored energy—"all their spooled, coded heat"—to other forms, such as "stoves called Resolute." The mention of stoves, crafted from "wet steel diecast / by heat themselves," underscores the cyclical nature of energy and matter.

Fulton expands this idea to encompass all living beings—"Tree, beast, bug"—which she describes as "worldclass bit parts in this world-flit." This phrase suggests that all creatures play minor roles in the grand, fleeting drama of existence. The "powers of congress," likely a metaphor for the forces that govern life and death, are described as taxing, spending, and legislating the essence of life "to pure crisp form." This legislative imagery implies a systematic, almost bureaucratic control over the cycle of life and death, reducing living forms to their fundamental components before breaking them down further.

The poem then shifts focus to the human sphere, where "couples pledge to stay flux," reflecting the instability and transience of human relationships. The term "flux" emphasizes the ever-changing nature of these bonds, which are often marred by "the hit-run stuff of cracked homes." This line evokes the fragility of domestic life and the emotional turbulence that can disrupt it.

Fulton paints a vivid picture of suburban life with "Men trim their quick lawns each weekend, trailing power mowers." This routine activity symbolizes the attempt to impose order and control over nature, even if temporarily. The "heartslaves"—men and women bound by societal expectations—are depicted in their mundane roles: men maintaining lawns, and "wives with flexed hair, hitched to bored kids," enduring the monotony of "good living rooms" and the cyclical chores of "twin beds slept in, changed, made."

The closing lines, with their emphasis on repetitive domestic tasks, highlight the contrast between the natural world's dynamic transformations and the static, often stifling routines of human life. The poem's final image of made and remade beds serves as a metaphor for the continuous yet ultimately unchanging cycle of daily life.

"Powers of Congress" masterfully juxtaposes the ephemeral nature of the natural world with the repetitive routines of human existence. Through her rich and evocative imagery, Alice Fulton invites readers to reflect on the interconnectedness of all life forms and the often-overlooked beauty in both the natural processes and the mundane aspects of daily life. The poem underscores the inevitability of change and the transient nature of all things, encouraging a deeper appreciation for the fleeting moments that constitute our lives.

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