Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"An Answer to a Question" by Denise Duhamel is a deeply evocative poem that explores intimacy, discovery, and connection through the metaphor of technological interaction and mythic imagery. Duhamel expertly intertwines themes of digital interaction with personal, physical discovery, creating a narrative that reflects on the complexities of relationships and the transformative power of intimate connections.

The poem begins with a hypothesis proposed by the speaker's partner: "You said that if we could just touch / we'd be able to figure it out." This sets the stage for the exploration that follows, suggesting that physical touch could unlock answers to broader, perhaps existential questions or complexities within their relationship. The imagery of a "palm scanned me up and down / like we were two parts of the same computer" cleverly uses technology as a metaphor for human interaction, portraying the couple as interconnected components in a system, exploring and decoding each other.

As the partner's hand explores, finding "the pea under my mattress," Duhamel alludes to the fairy tale of "The Princess and the Pea," where sensitivity to a small discomfort reveals true royalty. Here, however, the discovery of the "pea," later transformed into a "pearl," symbolizes a deeper understanding or revelation about the speaker's identity or perhaps the nature of their relationship. This transformation from a common pea into a valuable pearl reflects the transformative power of their connection, turning something seemingly trivial into something precious.

The poem then expands the scope of their exploration from the personal to the universal as they "cross-filed it / with beauty, ocean, politics, the deep." This line suggests that their personal discoveries have broader implications, linking their intimate experience to vast, complex concepts. The intimacy between the two allows them to traverse these expansive topics, shrinking "small in each others arms / the way lovers can in their dreams," highlighting the depth of their connection and the boundless realms it reaches.

Further, Duhamel introduces a surreal, dream-like quality with images of "Lifejackets bloomed / the colors of tropical fruits." This not only continues the melding of the practical with the fantastical but also implies a sense of safety and vibrancy within the adventurous exploration of their relationship. The mention of "mighty thorns" and sliding "safely through technology" hints at potential risks and obstacles in their journey, yet they navigate these safely, suggesting resilience and mutual support.

The conclusion of the poem, "until there was enough room for us / to be home wherever we went," encapsulates the essence of the poem—a sense of belonging and home that the speakers find not in a place, but in each other. Through their journey of exploration and discovery, both technological and emotional, they create a space that is uniquely theirs, transcending physical and conceptual boundaries.

"An Answer to a Question" is a rich, multifaceted poem that uses vivid imagery and sophisticated metaphors to delve into the nature of human connections. It beautifully captures how intimacy can bridge the gap between the digital and the physical, the mundane and the profound, ultimately creating a shared space of understanding and belonging.

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