Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"About Marriage" is a poem by Denise Levertov that was first published in her 1975 collection "The Freeing of the Dust.",.

 "About Marriage" is a meditation on the nature of marriage, exploring the joys, challenges, and complexities of this institution. The poem touches upon themes such as love, communication, and the passage of time It explores the complexities and challenges of marriage. Through the use of various poetic elements, such as imagery, metaphor, personification, and symbolism, the poem meditates on the nature of long-term relationships, the importance of communication and understanding, and the significance of commitment and unity.

The poem begins by describing the waves of love that flow through the couple, suggesting that the love between two people can be a powerful and transformative force. However, the poem quickly acknowledges that love is not enough to sustain a long-term relationship, and that the couple will inevitably face struggle and hardship.

 In the second stanza, the poem explores the importance of communication and understanding in a marriage, suggesting that the couple must learn to listen to one another and to find a way to work through their difficulties. 

The third stanza employs the extended metaphor of the garden to explore the idea that a successful marriage requires constant tending and care, and that the couple must be willing to put in the effort to keep their relationship healthy and strong.

The final stanza of the poem suggests that the passage of time can both deepen and complicate a marriage, and that the couple must be willing to grow and change together if their relationship is to survive. The poem ends with the image of the wedding rings, suggesting that the commitment and unity of marriage are ultimately what make the struggle and the hard work worthwhile.

Poetic Elements:

Imagery: The poem uses sensory imagery to describe the experiences and emotions associated with marriage. For example, in the first stanza, Levertov describes the "waves of love" that flow through the couple, and in the second stanza, she describes the "struggle" and "hunger" that are part of any long-term relationship.

Metaphor: The poem employs several extended metaphors to explore the nature of marriage. In the third stanza, for example, Levertov compares the relationship between the couple to a garden that requires constant tending and care.

Personification: The poem personifies the emotions and experiences associated with marriage, such as love and struggle, suggesting that they are living entities that exist beyond the individuals in the relationship.

Symbolism: The poem uses several symbols, such as the "rings" that represent the commitment and unity of marriage, to explore the meaning and significance of the institution.

 Form: The poem is written in free verse, and consists of four stanzas of varying lengths. 

In summary, "About Marriage" offers a nuanced and realistic portrait of the joys and difficulties of long-term relationships, and encourages readers to reflect on the meaning and significance of commitment, communication, and unity in their own lives. "The poem explores the complexities and challenges of marriage. Through the use of various poetic elements, such as imagery, metaphor, personification, and symbolism, the poem meditates on the nature of long-term relationships, the importance of communication and understanding, and the significance of commitment and unity.

Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!

Other Poems of Interest...