Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

In "Loyal," William Matthews explores the profound and often painful complexities of love and loss, using the death of a beloved dog as a poignant entry point into broader themes of mortality and longing. The poem captures the intensity of grief and the multifaceted nature of human emotions, weaving a narrative that is both personal and universally relatable.

The poem begins with a stark and clinical description of euthanasia: "They gave him an overdose / of anesthetic, and its fog / shut down his heart in seconds." This opening sets a tone of inevitability and detachment, emphasizing the swift and irreversible nature of the dog's death. The speaker's attempt to hold the dog as it slips away captures the helplessness felt in the face of mortality; despite the desire for physical connection, the dog is already "somewhere else," highlighting the separation that death imposes.

Matthews poignantly reflects on the nature of love, noting that "for so much of love / one of the principals is missing." This observation suggests that love often involves a sense of absence or longing, as we are frequently separated from those we love, either emotionally or physically. The speaker admits to being "thick with both" love and longing, blurring the line between the two emotions. This duality is a central theme of the poem, as it delves into the contradictory desires and feelings that accompany grief.

The speaker expresses a deep desire for impossibilities: the wish for the dog to "live forever" and, simultaneously, the wish for the speaker's own immortality. These desires reflect a common human yearning for permanence in a world where everything is transient. The speaker also longs for both "company and to be alone," further illustrating the conflicting emotions that arise in the wake of loss. This paradoxical longing underscores the complexity of the grieving process, where one can feel isolated yet crave connection.

The poem's narrative shifts to the practical and unsettling question of what happens to the body of the deceased dog. The speaker acknowledges a morbid curiosity about the disposal of the dog's body, a "stiff ninety-five-pound dog," but chooses to remain ignorant, paying others "to do it / and not tell me." This choice reflects a common reluctance to confront the more disturbing aspects of death, preferring instead to maintain a distance from the physical realities of loss.

In a moment of introspective honesty, the speaker reveals a desire for retribution or acknowledgment of pain: "I wanted a letter of apology / delivered by decrepit hand, / by someone shattered for each time / I'd had to eat pure pain." This longing for a tangible acknowledgment of suffering highlights a need for validation and a sense of justice for the emotional pain endured. It speaks to the human need for recognition and empathy in the face of grief.

The poem concludes with the speaker's desire to weep, not in the uncontrolled manner of a child but with the steady, deliberate sorrow of an adult. The phrase "according to the fiction / that there is work to be done" suggests a societal expectation that grief should be managed or productive. However, the speaker acknowledges the depth of their sorrow, expressing a wish to weep "almost inconsolably." This closing sentiment captures the intense, raw nature of grief, which often resists resolution or consolation.

"Loyal" is a powerful meditation on the nuances of love, loss, and the grieving process. Matthews' exploration of these themes through the lens of a pet's death allows for an intimate and accessible portrayal of the universal experience of mourning. The poem's vivid imagery and emotional depth invite readers to confront their own experiences with loss and the often contradictory feelings that accompany it. Through its honest and unflinching portrayal of grief, "Loyal" offers a poignant reflection on the human condition and the enduring impact of love.

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