Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Susan Wheeler’s “The Split, Selection” is a playful yet poignant exploration of love’s volatility, framed within a nostalgic and intimate narrative. The poem captures the transient nature of passion and connection through a juxtaposition of humor, sensuality, and loss. Wheeler employs a conversational tone, vivid imagery, and a fragmented structure to convey the complexities of a relationship that lingers in memory.

The opening lines reflect on a time when love seemed boundless, “light[ing] rooms so vast it made / us love / ourselves.” This recollection evokes a sense of nostalgia, a longing for the intensity and simplicity of a past connection. The vastness of the lit rooms metaphorically underscores the expansiveness of love, suggesting how it can illuminate not just the external world but also the internal sense of self.

The poem’s imagery becomes vivid and textured as Wheeler paints a scene of domestic intimacy. The “lazy leisure suit, zippered Orlon, / baby / blue” and the “hearts / peignoir” create a snapshot of a specific era, blending kitsch with tenderness. These details ground the relationship in a tangible reality, imbuing the recollection with warmth and specificity. The outfits, while seemingly trivial, serve as symbols of the couple’s unique dynamic and shared history.

The line “we were a pair! Barely / coming / up for air” captures the intensity of their bond, hinting at a love so consuming that it eclipses everything else. Yet, the following image of “smearing up / a storm” introduces a note of chaos and imperfection. The word “smearing” suggests both physical closeness and a lack of precision or control, reflecting the messiness inherent in passionate relationships.

The second stanza shifts the tone slightly, introducing a playful defiance. The request for the “tobacco / pouch,” “whiskey,” and “vindaloo” creates a sensory-rich tableau of indulgence and shared rituals. These items symbolize the comforts and vices that bind the couple, as well as the indulgence of living in the moment. The directive “Let’s make like we’re not through” is both a plea and a declaration, capturing the push and pull of a relationship teetering on the edge.

Wheeler’s use of enjambment and rhythmic fragmentation mirrors the disjointed nature of memory and the instability of the relationship. The poem oscillates between humor and pathos, creating a nuanced portrayal of love’s highs and lows. The playful tone of the closing lines contrasts with the underlying tension, suggesting that while the relationship may be fraught, there is still a desire to preserve its vitality and meaning.

At its core, “The Split, Selection” is a meditation on love’s impermanence and the ways we cling to its artifacts—be they physical, emotional, or sensory. Wheeler’s masterful interplay of nostalgia, humor, and longing invites readers to reflect on their own relationships and the memories that linger long after the love has faded. Through its evocative language and dynamic structure, the poem captures the beauty and complexity of human connection, leaving an impression both tender and bittersweet.

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