Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Dara Wier’s "A Secret Matter of Grave Importance" is a poem that deftly explores the intricacies of relationships—particularly the tenuous balance between intimacy and distance, individuality and unity. Through its vivid imagery and complex metaphors, the poem captures the delicate dance of connection between two people, emphasizing the ways in which their lives intersect and diverge.

The opening lines, "Except when once we drew identical lots / nothing’s ever come between us," establish a foundation of both unity and separation. The mention of "identical lots" suggests a moment of profound synchronicity, a shared fate or experience that binds the speaker and their counterpart. Yet, the phrase "nothing’s ever come between us" is tinged with irony; while it implies closeness, the poem quickly reveals the spaces that exist between the two figures—spaces they seem to both cherish and respect.

Wier's use of domestic and bodily imagery creates a sense of intimacy that feels both mundane and profound. The act of "hand-washing my clean shirts" juxtaposes cleanliness with the labor of maintaining it, perhaps mirroring the effort required to sustain relationships. Similarly, the line "Stuck with sharp wind, both / bloods are rare" introduces a metaphorical significance to the idea of "rare blood," suggesting the uniqueness of their bond while also hinting at fragility or preciousness. The walnut's "knot of oil" further underscores this sense of rarity—something natural, rich, but not often tasted.

The interplay between closeness and restraint is most evident in the stanza:
"We wake between our fitted sheets / and shake our fists or pretend real fright / but not in this do we dare touch." Here, the fitted sheets symbolize a shared space, a confined yet intimate boundary. The shaking fists and feigned fright could represent playful gestures or perhaps deeper, unspoken frustrations. However, the refusal to touch suggests a boundary they are unwilling—or unable—to cross, reinforcing the tension between their closeness and their individuality.

The metaphor of the ribcage is one of the poem’s most striking images:
"My rib cage can stand in yours, yours / become the swinging doors through which / magician’s swords will slice and miss / that knotted muscle. It is a trick." The ribcage, a protective structure, symbolizes both vulnerability and resilience. The image of the magician’s swords slicing through without harm adds an element of theatricality, as if their relationship is a carefully choreographed performance. The "knotted muscle" at the heart of it all—literally and figuratively—remains untouched, suggesting both the endurance of their connection and the emotional complexity that underpins it.

The final stanzas shift into an exploration of the heart's movements, described in terms of acrobatics:
"We’ll make an endless show of the outright / clanking, irregular beating of our acrobatic hearts." Here, the hearts are not serene or steady but active and unpredictable, engaged in a performance that requires skill and balance. The "double bars of depth" evoke a sense of layered meaning, as if the relationship operates on multiple levels—emotional, physical, and perhaps even spiritual.

The poem concludes with the idea of counting and pulses:
"Our hearts skip — the tumbleset we think / is absence, the somersault we call forbearance / — the hearts are there, doing turns that teach / us to count and keep each finger / close to its own sly pulse." This closing passage ties together the themes of presence and absence, movement and stillness. The "tumbleset" and "somersault" suggest that even moments of perceived absence or restraint are part of the rhythm of their relationship. The act of keeping each finger "close to its own sly pulse" emphasizes the importance of self-awareness and individuality within the shared connection.

"A Secret Matter of Grave Importance" is a meditation on the complexities of human relationships, particularly the balance between intimacy and independence. Wier’s use of evocative imagery and layered metaphors invites the reader to consider the ways in which connection is both an act of mutual vulnerability and a performance of strength. The poem’s quiet tension and intricate structure mirror the delicacy of the bond it describes, leaving us with a sense of wonder at the intricacies of love and partnership.

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