Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Bedtime Story" by Wanda Coleman transforms the mundane act of going to bed into a vivid and imaginative exploration of the relationship between an individual and their bed. Through personification, the poem delves into themes of resistance, comfort, and the often overlooked complexity of our interactions with the objects that inhabit our daily lives. Coleman's unique perspective on the bed, not just as an inanimate object but as an entity with desires and frustrations, invites readers to consider the deeper connections we forge with our personal spaces.

The poem begins with the speaker's attempt to resist the call of the bed, highlighting a tension between the need for rest and the desire for productivity or wakefulness. This resistance is not just physical but psychological, as the bed's insistence on longer sleep, especially on Sunday mornings, suggests a battle of wills. The bed's demand for the speaker to sleep longer personifies the bed as a caretaker of sorts, albeit a domineering one that imposes its will on the speaker.

The speaker's preference for a "westerly fetal position facing the wall" contrasts with the bed's insistence on laying "heavenward on my back." This preference reveals a desire for comfort and security that the bed's structure does not accommodate, further emphasizing the discord between the speaker and their bed. The bed's ability to "suck [the speaker] sideways into it" when attempting to put on shoes illustrates the bed's powerful pull, both literal and metaphorical, compelling the speaker to adapt their routine to avoid its influence.

The bed's "anger" and the popping of its springs in retaliation for the speaker's resistance humanize the bed, giving it emotions and reactions that mirror those of a spurned or neglected companion. This animosity extends to the speaker's work, as the bed's proximity to the office and its "strange little sighs" disrupt the speaker's focus, leading to a confrontation where the speaker places a typewriter on the bed, a symbolic act of defiance against the bed's domineering presence.

The bed's complaints about being "difficult duty" and its lamentation over being burdened with books and papers instead of "blood and bone" hint at the bed's understanding of its purpose and its longing for intimacy and human connection. This anthropomorphism elevates the bed from a mere piece of furniture to a participant in the speaker's life, craving the warmth and weight of its human occupant.

The invasion of "spiders ants and roaches" in search of food introduces a sense of neglect and decay, suggesting that the bed's dissatisfaction has consequences that affect its condition and the speaker's relationship with it. This infestation serves as a metaphor for the deterioration of the connection between the speaker and the bed, as well as the broader implications of neglecting our emotional and physical needs.

"Bedtime Story" is a complex and imaginative poem that uses the personification of a bed to explore themes of resistance, comfort, and the dynamics of our relationships with everyday objects. Wanda Coleman's narrative challenges readers to consider the emotional landscapes of our personal spaces and the silent dialogues we engage in with the world around us. Through this poetic exploration, Coleman invites reflection on the ways in which our environments shape and are shaped by our inner lives, offering a unique perspective on the mundane aspects of existence.

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