Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Alice Fulton's "The Expense of Spirit" explores the complexities and contradictions of physical intimacy, particularly when it is devoid of genuine emotional connection. Through a candid and often stark examination of sexual relationships, the poem delves into themes of power, detachment, and the commodification of desire.

Fulton's choice of the phrase "The Expense of Spirit" for her poem's title is indeed significant and carries deep literary resonance, as it echoes William Shakespeare's Sonnet 129. Shakespeare's sonnet is a powerful meditation on the destructive nature of lust and the regret that often follows indulgence in it. By invoking this phrase, Fulton aligns her poem with Shakespeare's themes, offering a modern exploration of similar ideas about the complexities and consequences of physical desire.

The poem opens with the phrase "The credits and debits of cold sex," immediately framing physical intimacy in terms of a transactional ledger. This economic metaphor underscores the calculated nature of such encounters, where "Release, power" are the primary currencies. The explicit reference to "the back-to-basics fuck-You on the subway" conveys a sense of raw, unembellished physicality, stripped of romance or deeper connection.

Fulton then poses a poignant question: "Are we making love yet?" This inquiry challenges the reader to consider the difference between mere physical acts and the deeper, more meaningful connection implied by "making love." The image of fingers that "speak and shine the world" emphasizes the potential for touch to convey meaning and create beauty, yet this potential is often squandered in superficial encounters.

The poem warns against the casual use of one's body, suggesting that hands, which "count," should not be reduced to mere tools for violence or detachment, as implied by "bagging them / To pass for guns." The idea of "cocking / Them through the flesh of some / Likely one whose hand you wouldn't hold" illustrates the paradox of seeking intimacy without genuine closeness or respect.

Fulton further explores the transactional nature of sex with the line "Endearments ease the deal," acknowledging that terms of affection can make the physical act more palatable, even if they are ultimately insincere. This notion is described as "callous," revealing the superficiality of such interactions. The poem critiques both participants in these encounters: the woman who views her sexuality as a "reproductive / Engine" and the man who refers to sex as "making like," both reducing the act to mechanical or dismissive terms.

The poem's central message emerges in the lines "Exchange the compliment I mean: to praise the otherness / Rising or widening next to one's own / Nude dilations." Here, Fulton advocates for a recognition and appreciation of the partner's distinct individuality and the shared experience of intimacy. This deeper connection contrasts sharply with the earlier depictions of detached and transactional sex.

The poem also touches on the consequences of neglecting genuine affection, noting that both "Earth and self get ugly when unloved." The imagery of "Cellulite / Skies where heaven stared!" captures the deterioration of beauty and purity in the absence of love. The final lines, "Suffer, but don't let me / See: that's the dearest, cheapest prayer," encapsulate the paradox of seeking pleasure without facing the emotional fallout, highlighting the superficial and ultimately unsatisfying nature of such relationships.

In "The Expense of Spirit," Alice Fulton provides a raw and unflinching look at the complexities of human intimacy. Through her evocative and often stark language, she challenges the reader to consider the deeper implications of physical relationships and the importance of genuine emotional connection. The poem serves as both a critique of and a lament for the ways in which modern society often reduces intimacy to a mere transaction, urging a return to a more meaningful and respectful understanding of love and desire.

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