Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Alice Fulton's "My Second Marriage to My First Husband" is a witty and introspective exploration of marital dynamics, societal expectations, and personal eccentricities. Through a blend of humor and poignant reflection, Fulton delves into the complexities of rekindling a relationship and the compromises that come with it.

The poem begins with a candid admission: the couple remarries not out of an intense rekindling of passion but rather for social acceptance. The pressure from "nagging married friends" compels them to conform to societal norms. This sets a tone of ambivalence and self-awareness, as the couple navigates the expectations of marriage.

The phrase "in the downy wedlocked bed" suggests a softness and comfort, yet the subsequent question, "Is there life after / one-day honeymoons to Kissamee Springs?" hints at a sense of disillusionment. The answers to their introspective questions—"no and no"—underscore a mutual recognition of unmet expectations and the banal reality that follows the romantic ideal.

The vows they take, "to forsake dallying, shilly-shallying and cleave only onto one another," are delivered with a playful tone, yet they also reflect a serious commitment to embrace each other's quirks and idiosyncrasies. The "swampy rumpus / room of our eccentricities" becomes a sanctuary where they can fully be themselves, free from societal judgments.

The speaker's whimsical desire to become a shepherdess or a jockey reveals a longing for a simpler, perhaps more meaningful existence, contrasting with the conventional life they find themselves in. The wedding reception, with its tables adorned with "toilet tissue twisted / into swans," captures the absurdity and superficiality of certain social rituals. The act of "dismembering swans" to find the charm and the resulting shock from the management highlights the clash between personal authenticity and social decorum.

The disappointment of the "little gizzard of a ring" symbolizes the often-underwhelming reality of material symbols of love and commitment. The speaker's rhetorical question, "Oh Person, / was it worth it?" reflects a deeper contemplation of the value and meaning of their renewed commitment.

The poem's middle section captures the couple's dual nature: fitting in at dinner parties while simultaneously feeling out of place. The image of the husband in "steel-mesh tweeds" and the speaker in "chiffon voluptuaries the color of exhaust" highlights their differences and the humorous struggle to conform to societal expectations of normalcy.

The wedding album serves as a metaphor for the beginning and continuation of their journey together. The couple's revelry, doing the "cha-cha-cha to the boom-chick-chick band," portrays a celebration that is both joyful and routine. The "dyed-to-match togs" and the act of getting "fat on the eats" emphasize the performative and indulgent aspects of their social interactions.

The closing lines evoke a sense of resignation and acceptance. The terms of endearment, "Honey" and "Dear," become "cumbersome as live doves on our tongues," suggesting the weight of maintaining appearances. The final image of "dimples stiffen to resolute framed stares" in their wedding photos encapsulates the facade of adult responsibility and the underlying tensions that persist.

Alice Fulton's "My Second Marriage to My First Husband" is a nuanced reflection on the complexities of marital relationships, societal pressures, and personal authenticity. Through her sharp wit and evocative imagery, Fulton invites readers to consider the intricate dance of love, compromise, and identity within the framework of marriage. The poem captures the essence of navigating a shared life with humor, grace, and a keen awareness of the contradictions inherent in human relationships.

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