Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Alice Fulton's poem "Fix" captures a deeply reflective and poignant meditation on love, connection, and the pervasive sense of impending catastrophe in the world. Through her intricate and evocative language, Fulton explores the inevitability of caring deeply despite the chaotic and uncertain conditions that surround us.

The poem opens with a resolute declaration, "There is no caring less / for you," establishing an unwavering emotional anchor. This steadfast sentiment is juxtaposed against the tumultuous imagery of "music in the weeds" and counting cricket beats, which serve as a metaphor for finding order and meaning amidst chaos. The act of counting breaths from "here to Zen" suggests a search for peace and mindfulness in a world fraught with instability.

Fulton paints a picture of a world on the brink of disaster. "September does its best" implies a seasonal struggle to maintain normalcy, while the mention of the Alaskan pipeline's lack of integrity and the harmful effects of mineral fibers indicate environmental and health crises. The looming threat of a major quake, increasing ultraviolet intensity, and the deteriorating ozone layer create an atmosphere of imminent danger and helplessness.

Amidst these global concerns, the speaker finds no respite: "I can find no shade." The repetition of "There is no caring less" reinforces the idea that despite external turmoil, the depth of the speaker's care remains constant. The hypothetical scenarios—losing the moon, the earth's increased rotation, or the explosion of a neighboring star—highlight the fragility of our existence and the multitude of ways our world could change dramatically.

The poem shifts to a personal reflection with the lines "Say under right and rare conditions, / space and time could oscillate. / I know what conditions / those would be for me." This introspective moment reveals a longing for conditions that would allow for a different, perhaps more favorable, reality. However, the speaker acknowledges the difficulty of maintaining distance and preserving personal boundaries: "I'd like to keep my distance, / my others, keep my rights reserved."

The speaker's gaze turns back to the beloved, described as "intreasured, / where resolutions end." This phrase suggests that in the presence of the beloved, all resolutions and efforts to maintain distance dissolve. The inevitability of deep care is emphasized by the line "No matter how we breathe / or count our breaths, / there is no caring less / for you for me." This reiteration of the poem's central theme underscores the futility of trying to diminish one's feelings.

The struggle to express this profound care without resorting to grandiose language is evident in the lines, "I have to stop myself / from writing 'sovereign,' praising / with the glory words I know." This restraint highlights the sincerity of the speaker's emotions, resisting the temptation to embellish their feelings with overblown rhetoric.

Fulton concludes with a return to the broader existential concerns: "Glaciologists say changes / in the mantle, the planet's vast / cold sheets could melt. Catastrophe / is everywhere, my presence / here is extra—yet— / there is no caring less." The potential melting of the planet's ice sheets and the pervasive threat of catastrophe serve as a stark reminder of the world's instability. Despite this, the speaker's unwavering care remains a constant, anchoring them amidst the uncertainty.

In "Fix," Alice Fulton masterfully intertwines the personal with the global, exploring the persistence of deep emotional connections in the face of a world that seems perpetually on the brink of disaster. Through her vivid imagery and contemplative tone, Fulton invites readers to reflect on the enduring nature of love and care, even when surrounded by chaos and uncertainty.

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