Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

May Swenson?s "Sleeping With Boa" is a playful yet subtly disconcerting poem that uses the intimate relationship between the speaker and a pet—likely a cat, given its behavior and imagery—as an exploration of desire, miscommunication, and emotional incongruity. Swenson’s characteristic wit and sharp observation of animal behavior create a layered narrative that dances between humor and frustration, affection and rejection.

The poem begins with the speaker attempting to guide Boa in reciprocating affection, showing her "how to put her arms around me," an act both tender and absurd. Boa’s failure to understand highlights the inherent gap between human and animal interaction, a recurring theme in the poem. Boa’s actions—sticking out her tongue and licking herself—underscore her instinctual, self-contained nature, contrasting with the speaker’s yearning for connection. This juxtaposition sets the tone for the dynamic that unfolds: one of misaligned intentions and unmet expectations.

Swenson’s language throughout is deceptively simple, yet each line is loaded with emotional weight and ambiguity. For example, the line "She likes my stroking hand" conveys a moment of connection, but it is immediately undercut by the subsequent "But at my demand: / ?Now, do it to me, like this,? / she backs off with a hiss." Boa’s refusal to mimic the speaker’s gestures becomes symbolic of the impossibility of imposing human desires onto non-human behavior. This rejection introduces a layer of humor tinged with frustration, as the speaker’s longing for mutual affection is continually thwarted.

The poem’s tone oscillates between humorous exasperation and genuine yearning. Boa’s playful antics—jumping off the bed, showing her "behind," and curling up on the rug—are described with a mix of affection and bemusement. These actions, while typical of a cat, also highlight the creature’s independence and refusal to conform to the speaker’s expectations. The repeated calls for Boa to return, to "be sweet," and to "stay with me tonight" convey the speaker’s deep desire for companionship and emotional closeness, even as they recognize the futility of these pleas.

Swenson’s attention to detail in capturing Boa’s movements and expressions lends the poem a vivid, almost cinematic quality. The description of Boa’s "deep, deep pupils" meeting the speaker’s gaze creates a moment of intense connection, but this connection is fleeting and ultimately unfulfilling. The speaker notes that Boa’s gaze "holds a flood ... / But not my brand," emphasizing the fundamental difference between their inner worlds. Boa’s inscrutability becomes a source of both fascination and frustration, as the speaker grapples with the limitations of their bond.

The closing lines of the poem encapsulate its central themes of longing and misalignment. The repetition of "she’s much too small" serves as a poignant reminder of Boa’s inability to fulfill the speaker’s emotional needs, not due to any fault of her own, but because of the inherent differences between them. This acknowledgment adds a layer of melancholy to the poem, as the speaker comes to terms with the unbridgeable gap between their desires and Boa’s nature.

"Sleeping With Boa" is a richly textured exploration of connection and its limitations. Swenson’s playful yet poignant portrayal of the speaker’s relationship with Boa reflects larger themes of longing, miscommunication, and the complexities of intimacy. The poem’s humor, tenderness, and subtle melancholy combine to create a deeply resonant meditation on the challenges of seeking understanding and closeness, even in the most intimate of relationships.

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