Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Carol Frost’s "Day of the Body: 4. So When He Leaves" delves into the quiet, poignant aftermath of a parting, capturing the emotional resonance of a departure that is neither violent nor dramatic, but deeply affecting. Through its careful use of imagery and the exploration of dreams, the poem reflects on themes of vulnerability, fear, and the inescapable presence of mortality.

The poem begins with a straightforward observation of the couple's non-violent nature: "They aren't violent, so when he leaves in the middle of the night he says, Tomorrow will be / like any other morning." This line establishes a sense of calm and routine, even in the act of leaving. The man's reassurance that "Tomorrow will be like any other morning" is meant to soothe, suggesting normalcy and continuity, yet it also hints at a deeper emotional undercurrent that will soon be explored.

The woman is left "lying on a light chrome-yellow sheet only slightly indecent, as if she's bathed in lamplight." The use of "light chrome-yellow" evokes warmth and a sense of comfort, yet the description of her as "only slightly indecent" hints at a vulnerability and exposure. The comparison to being "bathed in lamplight" enhances this sense of soft illumination, suggesting a gentle but revealing light that casts her in a state of quiet, exposed contemplation.

After falling asleep, the woman's dream introduces a more vivid and unsettling scene: "she sees a native girl on her belly, showing a portion of her frightened face." The "native girl" in the dream, with her "frightened face," introduces an element of fear and tension. The dreamscape, described with a "purple" background, a color often associated with both royalty and fear, adds to the sense of foreboding and unease.

The poem captures the woman's inability to discern the source of the girl's fear in the dream: "but in the dream she cannot tell what the girl is afraid of." This ambiguity reflects the often inexplicable nature of dreams and the subconscious mind, where fears and anxieties manifest without clear reason or resolution. The possibility that "she is thinking of someone dead or that death is thinking of her" introduces the theme of mortality, suggesting that the fear may be rooted in a deeper existential dread.

"Day of the Body: 4. So When He Leaves" poignantly explores the aftermath of departure and the inner emotional landscape that it reveals. Through its careful attention to detail and evocative imagery, the poem captures the complexity of feelings that arise in moments of solitude and reflection. The dream sequence serves as a window into the woman's subconscious fears, linking personal vulnerability with broader themes of life and death.

Frost’s exploration of these themes is both tender and haunting, inviting readers to consider the quiet moments of parting and the deeper fears that lie beneath the surface of everyday life. The poem’s nuanced portrayal of departure and the dreamscape it evokes highlight the intricate connections between our waking experiences and the subconscious, illustrating how deeply intertwined our emotions and fears can be.

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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