Marissa Oxford AP Literature and Composition Ms.

Brittany Iddings Poetry Analysis Many problems can develop in a marriage pushing the couple apart; such a scenario is presented in Robert Creeley's poem A Marriage. Creeley's poem does not give many details on how the couple's withdrawl from one another came about, but breaks the marriage in three parts, each part representing a retainer. Creeley manages to capture a warning within the poem using diction, imagery, and metaphor. There is a somber resonance in A Marriage. Even if the words of the poem are placed side by side in a sentence they flow off the tongue in such a way the separations of the words remain evident. This diction inspires an authority within the poem, that its words are not mere frivolity. Assonance is cleverly disguised in the poem but almost tangible when read out loud. Words such as retainer, her, wedding ring, late, night, over, elbow, leaned, kissed, gave, loving, etc. These words do not rhyme directly, nor is there a pattern to when the assonance appears, which is how it remains cleverly hidden. However, these words possess similar sounds that when added to the poem give it resonance, like each important word after it is said is echoed in another word later in the poem. The poem uses some alliteration as well in the second two stanzas with the words late, leaned, last, loving, lived. Again it is as though the slow repetition of sounds gives the semblance of a cajoling bell, warning of things ominous and mysterious rather than the golden clangs of wedding bells signifying happy times. Even as the diction paint pictures in one's head, the poem employs its own imagery. The poem's first stanza paints a picture of a man giving the girl he loves a ring. However, it is not just any ring, the first use of imagery employed is that of a golden wedding ring. This image starts the poem positively, gold is a bright and happy color and weddings are typically lovely, memorable affairs. The poem takes a dark turn however the instant the image late at night, is drawn to the reader's attention. Suddenly the poem is not where it was before, but darker, less blissful

circumstances. The husband's kiss upon his sleeping wife paints the image that the two are drifting apart, his love is no longer returned. It is a cold and sad image. The final stanza remains in that dark place, going even darker, for it paints no image. The mere tone of the words paints the bleak future of the man, to stop loving her yet remain married to her until the day he dies. The imagery printed in each stanza contributes to the metaphorical value of the poem. A Marriage does not have to be wholly restricted to referring to a marriage. It is quite possible that the poem can be generalized as a metaphor of a contract or promise of any sort. The fact that each stage is called a retainer supports this theory. The first retainer is a metaphor for the initial passion and naivete in which one binds oneself to a contract. The second retainer is a metaphor for the slow realization of what is happening, and the half-attempted struggle to prevent the love or passion from being lost. However, the third retainer occurs anyway and one is forced to remain with the consequences of their decision in an often binding contract or thoughtless act made in the moment. This metaphor conveys a message, cajoling the reader in hopes they will not make the same mistake. It is through these three employments, the way the words are written, the picture they paint, and the meaning behind them, that Creeley is able to write his poem as a warning to binding contracts and other fateful acts that can impact one's life forever. Such consequences as the one painted at the dark end of Creeley's poem can be prevented if the first retainer is never given. If one does not make hasty and thoughtless decisions in the heat of the moment, but rather slows down and contemplate the decision, they are less likely to have to deal with harsher consequences. Love is blind is a saying that is highly applicable here, Creeley's poem warns the reader that the veil love creates must be fought to be lifted so one can see clearly, or the consequences may last for life.