Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

In "Everyone Was in Love," Galway Kinnell conjures a vivid scene that blends innocence, nature, and a touch of the macabre to explore themes of wonder, curiosity, and the often brutal realities of the natural world. The poem captures a moment of childhood exuberance and the complex interplay between fascination and the underlying truths of life and death.

The poem begins with a whimsical image: "One day, when they were little, Maud and Fergus / appeared in the doorway, naked and mirthful, / with a dozen long garter snakes draped over / each of them like brand-new clothes." This introduction immediately establishes a scene of playful innocence. The children, Maud and Fergus, are presented as carefree and joyful, their nudity and mirth emphasizing a natural, unselfconscious state. The snakes, described as "brand-new clothes," suggest a sense of novelty and discovery, as if the children are experimenting with new identities and sensations.

Kinnell’s description of the snakes adds a layer of enchantment: "Snake tails dangled down their backs, / and snake foreparts in various lengths / fell over their fronts, heads raised / and swaying, alert as cobras." The imagery evokes a sense of fluidity and movement, with the snakes' heads compared to cobras, adding a hint of danger to the otherwise innocent scene. The snakes "writhed their dry skins / upon each other, as snakes like doing / in lovemaking, with the added novelty / of caressing soft, smooth, moist human skin." This description blends the natural behavior of the snakes with the new sensory experience of human contact, creating a moment that is both tender and unsettling.

The children's delight is palpable: "Maud and Fergus were deliciously pleased with themselves. / The snakes seemed to be tickled too. / We were enchanted. Everyone was in love." The repetition of "in love" emphasizes the pervasive sense of enchantment and connection felt by all present. This shared moment of joy and fascination underscores the poem's celebration of innocent wonder and the beauty of discovery.

However, the poem takes a darker turn when Maud "drew down off Fergus’s shoulder, / as off a tie rack, a peculiarly / lumpy snake and told me to look inside." The casual, almost playful action of drawing down the snake belies the gravity of what is revealed. Inside the snake's "double-hinged jaw," a frog’s green webbed hind feet are seen "being drawn, / like a diver’s, very slowly as if into deepest waters." This imagery of the frog being consumed introduces a stark contrast to the earlier enchantment, highlighting the harsh realities of nature.

Maud's matter-of-fact statement, "Don’t. Frog is already elsewhere," serves as a poignant conclusion. This line reflects a child's acceptance of the natural order, devoid of adult sentimentality or intervention. Maud's understanding that the frog is "already elsewhere" suggests a recognition of the cycle of life and death, an acknowledgment that the moment of rescue has passed and nature must take its course.

Through "Everyone Was in Love," Kinnell masterfully juxtaposes the innocence of childhood with the unflinching truths of the natural world. The poem's structure, moving from a lighthearted scene of play to a darker revelation, mirrors the process of growing up and coming to terms with life's complexities. The vivid imagery and delicate balance between enchantment and reality create a rich, multifaceted exploration of the themes of innocence, curiosity, and the inevitability of life's cycles.

Kinnell’s poem ultimately leaves the reader with a sense of wonder tempered by the acknowledgment of nature’s sometimes harsh truths. The moment of shared love and enchantment is fleeting, yet it is imbued with a deeper understanding of the world’s inherent beauty and brutality. This duality is at the heart of "Everyone Was in Love," making it a poignant reflection on the nature of life itself.

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