Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"After the Angelectomy" by Alice Fulton is a poignant and introspective exploration of loss, exhaustion, and the search for meaning in a mechanized and compliance-driven world. The poem's title suggests a surgical removal of angelic or divine elements, setting the tone for a narrative that grapples with the aftermath of such a profound loss.

The opening lines introduce a sense of desolation and bitterness where the "organ of veneration" once resided. The use of "wormwood and gall" and "grudge sliver" evokes images of bitterness and resentment, indicating a deep emotional wound. These elements are not only physical but also symbolic of the speaker's spiritual and emotional state, reflecting a loss of reverence and a feeling of being wronged.

Fulton continues with vivid imagery that describes a dried-up landscape, both literal and metaphorical. The "miniature waterfalls have all dried up in this miniature place" suggests a small, confined space where natural beauty and spontaneity have vanished. This desiccation extends to the speaker's perception of time and duty, where "day is duty cubed, time is time on task," emphasizing a life reduced to mechanical, repetitive actions devoid of joy or purpose.

The poem's tone shifts as the speaker prepares to "delint my black denim traveling stuff." The mundane task of cleaning black denim, a color associated with mourning and travel, underscores the weariness and preparation for departure, either literal or metaphorical. The dimming of the "fluorescent major highlighter" to "minor" further illustrates a decline in vitality and significance.

In a moment of vulnerability, the speaker confesses, "I'm so dying I wrote / when I meant to write so tired." This slip reveals the depth of the speaker's fatigue and existential weariness, blurring the lines between physical exhaustion and a more profound sense of mortality. The dream of "sleeping" while asleep suggests a desire for escape and rest, yet even dreams offer no respite, only a reflection of the waking state.

The request to "see my black stuff's / dusted off" speaks to a need for order and care in the face of decline, a small act of dignity amid chaos. The poem juxtaposes the infinite with the finite, stating that "only the infinites are happy: / Math. Time. Everything happy goes / to many decimal places." Here, Fulton contrasts the enduring, abstract nature of mathematical and temporal concepts with the transient, finite nature of human existence.

The visualized "bedsore" mentioned by the nurse becomes a metaphor for the inevitable decay of the body, emphasizing the fragile and dependent nature of physical existence. The statement "Everything exists / at the courtesy of everything else" reflects a recognition of interconnectedness and the precarious balance of life.

The speaker's plea to keep their grave clean and the reference to "Beloveds, finite things / in which the infinite endangered itself" highlights the tension between the eternal and the ephemeral. The divine substance's "limited liability" suggests a divine detachment or lack of intervention in the finite struggles of human life.

The final lines, "You're kind, / I tell the infinite. Too kind," resonate with a sense of irony and resignation. The acknowledgment of the infinite's kindness seems to underscore the speaker's awareness of their own insignificance and the vast, indifferent nature of the universe.

In "After the Angelectomy," Alice Fulton masterfully weaves themes of loss, fatigue, and the search for meaning into a tapestry of vivid imagery and poignant reflections. The poem captures the essence of human fragility and the enduring quest for dignity and understanding in a world often characterized by its indifference. Through her nuanced language and evocative metaphors, Fulton invites readers to contemplate the intersections of the finite and the infinite, the mundane and the divine, and the deeply personal experiences that shape our existence.

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