Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Karen Fleur Adcock’s “Sub Sepibus” draws its inspiration from a historical note in the Syston, Leicestershire parish register, which records clandestine marriages performed “under a hedge” and the subsequent excommunication of those involved. The poem transforms this archival detail into a lively, personal narrative that celebrates love, defiance, and the unyielding force of human desire.

Set in a pastoral, historical context, the poem adopts the voice of a young woman reflecting on her relationship with her lover, Tommy Toon. The speaker’s tone is playful and unapologetic, blending earthy humor with a sense of rebellion. Her vivid descriptions of the setting—“under the blackthorn, under the may, / under the stars at the end of the day”—evoke a world that is both natural and intimate. The hedge, a recurring motif, serves as a symbol of secrecy and transgression, a liminal space where societal norms are temporarily suspended in favor of passion and freedom.

The poem’s rhythmic structure mirrors the joy and vitality of the speaker’s experience. The repetition of “under” creates a musical cadence, underscoring the cyclical nature of their meetings and the inevitability of their union. This rhythm, combined with rhyming phrases like “in the hedge or the hay, / and ply his shuttle to a different tune,” gives the poem a song-like quality, evoking folk traditions that celebrate love and rebellion.

Adcock contrasts the natural, unrestrained love of the speaker and her lover with the rigid authority of the church, represented by the vicar’s excommunication. This act of censure, rather than casting shame on the couple, becomes a point of pride for the speaker. Her tone remains defiant: “The vicar excommunicated us, my Tommy Toon and me.” The line underscores the divide between institutional power and personal freedom, as well as the resilience of those who choose to live outside societal expectations.

The imagery of weaving and craftsmanship further enriches the poem’s themes. Tom’s work as a frame-knitter—an occupation tied to the rhythms of manual labor and skill—becomes a metaphor for the intimacy of their relationship. The phrase “ply his shuttle to a different tune” suggests both the physicality of their connection and the creativity inherent in their defiance. This blending of work and play reinforces the idea that love is as fundamental and natural as the labor that sustains daily life.

The final stanza introduces a note of continuity and legacy with the speaker’s reference to her pregnancy: “I’ll see my tickling bellyful quite soon: / another Tom Toon.” The impending birth represents both a literal continuation of life and a symbolic act of resistance. The child embodies the enduring power of love and human connection, outlasting the vicar’s condemnation and the constraints of societal judgment.

The historical context of clandestine marriages enriches the poem’s exploration of power dynamics and the lived experiences of the marginalized. During the period referenced, clandestine marriages were often associated with the poor, who lacked the resources or social standing to secure formal church weddings. By centering the narrative on a working-class couple, Adcock highlights the resilience and agency of those who found ways to assert their humanity within restrictive systems.

At the same time, “Sub Sepibus” resists romanticizing the hardships faced by the speaker and her community. The poem’s humor and vitality are tempered by an acknowledgment of the precariousness of their lives. The speaker’s nonchalance about the vicar’s judgment and her candid acceptance of her pregnancy suggest a pragmatic attitude shaped by necessity. This realism grounds the poem, preventing it from veering into sentimentality.

Adcock’s decision to use a first-person perspective creates a sense of immediacy and intimacy, allowing the speaker’s voice to resonate across centuries. The colloquial language and playful tone draw readers into her world, bridging the gap between past and present. Through this voice, Adcock captures not only the specifics of one couple’s story but also universal themes of love, resilience, and resistance.

In “Sub Sepibus”, Adcock transforms a historical footnote into a vivid, dynamic exploration of human connection. The poem celebrates the resilience of love in the face of societal condemnation, elevating the lives of ordinary people who dared to defy convention. Through its lyrical structure, earthy humor, and historical grounding, the poem affirms the enduring power of love and desire to transcend boundaries, whether of class, tradition, or time.

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