Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Dorianne Laux’s “Afterwards” captures a tender and reflective moment following an intimate encounter, using quiet imagery and understated emotion to convey the complexity of human connection. The poem explores the nuances of physical closeness, the transition from passion to calm, and the way such moments can blur boundaries between love, companionship, and quiet self-awareness.

The poem begins in medias res, with the speaker and their partner sitting side by side on the edge of an unmade bed. This unadorned setting reflects the raw honesty of the moment. The description of their posture—staring at their knees and feet—conveys a sense of stillness and perhaps contemplation, as though they are processing what has just transpired. Their clothes, described as “stranded in the middle of the floor / like small, crumpled islands,” evoke both the physical aftermath of intimacy and a metaphorical sense of disconnection or isolation. The simile captures the vulnerability of the moment, where the remnants of their passion lie discarded, leaving them exposed and contemplative.

The gesture of the partner placing an arm around the speaker’s shoulder is a poignant detail. Laux likens it to the camaraderie typically shared among friends or equals, a gesture “reserved / for those of the same sex.” This unexpected framing of the post-intimacy connection as an egalitarian, almost platonic bond deepens the emotional resonance of the scene. It suggests a shift from the wild urgency of desire to a quieter, more grounded form of connection. The partner’s hand resting on the “curved bone / of my shoulder” is a tactile, comforting image, emphasizing the physicality of their closeness while also hinting at a certain innocence or neutrality that contrasts with the earlier intimacy.

Laux’s attention to the body is both tender and unflinching. The speaker notes their “loud nipples / softening into sleep,” a detail that grounds the poem in physical reality while also symbolizing the waning of their earlier passion. The use of the word “loud” to describe a part of the body typically associated with sensitivity and receptivity adds a subtle layer of personification, as if even their bodies are unwinding from the intensity of desire.

The poem moves seamlessly into a tone of quiet companionship, describing the pair as “stripped of our want, our wildness.” This line captures the transition from the frenzied passion of their encounter to a calmer, almost innocent state of being. The phrase “sleek silence” further emphasizes this tranquility, suggesting a shared understanding that requires no words. They are no longer defined by their desire or the roles they played in their intimate encounter but are instead simply two people sharing a moment of peace.

The final image is particularly striking: the pair are likened to “a couple of kids / slumped on a dock in the sun,” their legs dangling above bright water as they admire their reflections. This simile imbues the poem with a sense of nostalgia and purity. The mention of “kids” evokes a time of innocence and simplicity, underscoring the vulnerability and comfort they now share. The reflection in the water suggests a duality—both the physical image of themselves and a metaphorical self-reflection, as they consider who they are in this moment, both individually and together.

Structurally, the poem’s single stanza mirrors the fluidity of the moment it describes, flowing seamlessly from one observation to the next. Laux’s free verse allows for a conversational tone, while her precise imagery anchors the poem in tangible, relatable experiences. The absence of punctuation at certain points creates a natural rhythm that mirrors the slowing of breath and the quieting of thoughts.

“Afterwards” is a meditation on the aftermath of intimacy, focusing not on the act itself but on the quiet, human moments that follow. Laux explores the duality of closeness and detachment, wildness and calm, physicality and reflection. The poem ultimately celebrates the beauty of shared silence and the ways in which intimacy can transform into a gentle, enduring connection. Through its subtle imagery and emotional depth, “Afterwards” captures a fleeting yet profound moment of human vulnerability and communion.

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