Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Carol Frost’s "Day of the Body: 3. The Man and the Woman" captures a moment of intimacy and connection between a man and a woman as they prepare to make love. The poem explores the interplay of light and darkness, physicality and emotion, and the enigmatic nature of human desire. Through its vivid imagery and reflective tone, the poem delves into the complexities of physical and emotional union.

The poem opens with a straightforward statement: "The man and the woman have been getting to know each other, / and now they are going to make love." This sets the scene for a moment of culmination in their relationship, where emotional intimacy transitions into physical intimacy. The directness of this opening underscores the simplicity and universality of their experience.

The bed is described as representing "the unlighted parts of a picture," suggesting that their physical union takes place in a space that is both literal and metaphorical darkness. This darkness can be interpreted as the unknown and unexplored aspects of their relationship, as well as the intimate, private nature of their encounter. The bed becomes a canvas where their desires and emotions are projected.

Their desire is likened to "a wandering beam of light that weaves around their thighs." This imagery conveys a sense of movement and fluidity, as their passion illuminates and explores their bodies. The light acts as a metaphor for their growing connection and the way their bodies respond to each other. The use of light weaving around their thighs emphasizes the intertwining of their physical forms and the dynamic nature of their desire.

The poem then focuses on the tactile and reciprocal nature of their interaction: "His hand defines the turning of her hips just as her hips make his hands their reality." This line highlights the mutual shaping and redefining that occurs during physical intimacy. Their bodies are both the subject and object of each other’s touch, creating a continuous feedback loop of sensation and response.

The comparison of their bodies to "tree trunks or earth or light-filled air" suggests a connection to the natural world, evoking images of solidity, grounding, and ethereal lightness. These comparisons emphasize the elemental and fundamental nature of their physical connection, rooted in the natural and the physical world.

The poem concludes with the observation that "their bodies are caught up in a feeling they do not quite understand: four dark eyes surprised by each other in a room." This final image captures the sense of wonder and discovery that accompanies their intimate encounter. The phrase "caught up in a feeling they do not quite understand" reflects the mysterious and often inexplicable nature of desire and connection. The "four dark eyes surprised by each other" suggests a moment of mutual recognition and amazement, as they see each other in a new light, both literally and metaphorically.

"Day of the Body: 3. The Man and the Woman" by Carol Frost is a beautifully nuanced exploration of physical and emotional intimacy. Through its evocative imagery and contemplative tone, the poem captures the dynamic interplay of light and darkness, body and emotion, and the profound sense of connection that arises from intimate encounters. Frost’s depiction of this moment of union is both tender and profound, inviting readers to reflect on the complexities and wonders of human relationships.

POEM TEXT: https://www.google.com/books/edition/Love_and_Scorn/asOTz7mTOdcC?q=&gbpv=1&bsq=DAY%20OF%20THE%20BODY#f=false

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