Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Alice Fulton's "Self-Storage" is a richly layered poem that delves into themes of gift-giving, expectation, memory, and the inherent complexities of human relationships. Through a mix of personal reflection and broader cultural observations, Fulton examines how we manage our desires and the meaning we ascribe to the act of giving and receiving.

The poem opens with Aerobia, the "Goddess of the Body," whose perfect form represents an ideal of physical and emotional balance. Her "muscular curls, ribbons of fire beneath her skin," serve as a metaphor for the strength and vitality that lie beneath the surface of human interactions. The goddess's role in smoothing out "the kinks and nicks" aligns with the poem's exploration of perfection in gift-giving, where "perfection is necessary in a gift."

Fulton contrasts this idealized view with the reality of giving and receiving, where expectations often clash with outcomes. The imagery of Christmas presents wrapped in foils and tissues symbolizes the anticipation and excitement that precede the act of opening gifts. However, this excitement can also mask the disappointment of unmet expectations, as seen in the line, "So you want a pet and get an air conditioner." This humorous yet poignant observation highlights the gap between what we desire and what we receive, teaching us "to want what you are given."

The poem shifts to a personal anecdote about the speaker's childhood, where a mint jelly sandwich made for an ill mother becomes a symbol of misguided but heartfelt efforts. The phrase "The misprisions!" captures the often-mistaken nature of our well-intentioned acts, suggesting that we rarely get what we truly deserve or expect.

Fulton's reflection on her family's pragmatic approach to gift-giving, where "plenty lay naked beneath the tree," contrasts with the wrapped boxes she received from her mother one summer. The boxes, adorned with Christmas motifs and labeled with practical items, reveal a surprising and candid expression of the mother's intentions, challenging the usual expectations of holiday gift exchanges.

The poem's exploration of gift-giving reaches a deeper level when the speaker finds that her mother had wrapped presents for herself, tagged "For Mary." This act underscores the personal nature of giving and the inherent desires and needs of the giver, suggesting that every gift is a reflection of the giver's own wishes and identity.

Fulton further complicates the idea of giving with the analogy of roses from a boss versus a lover, highlighting the significance of context and intention in our perception of gifts. The poem's musings on the compulsive nature of gift-giving, particularly in commercial settings, critique the consumerist culture that commodifies affection and relationships.

The juxtaposition of the mundane and the profound continues with the speaker's observation of "Self-Storage" units near the freeway, symbolizing the ways we compartmentalize and protect our possessions—and by extension, our memories and emotions. The interaction with a child who mistakes the speaker for a mannequin reinforces the theme of authenticity and the often blurred lines between reality and appearance.

In the final stanzas, Fulton eloquently captures the essence of intangible gifts—love, forgiveness, faith—that cannot be neatly packaged. These "inflammatory abstracts" transcend physical wrapping, underscoring the deeper connections and meanings that gifts can represent. The poem concludes with a reflection on the enduring desire for continuity and renewal, captured in the image of "another and another day rising behind firm skylines."

"Self-Storage" by Alice Fulton is a meditation on the complexities of gift-giving and the ways we navigate our desires and relationships. Through vivid imagery and introspective reflections, Fulton invites readers to consider the deeper meanings behind the acts of giving and receiving, and the nuanced interplay of expectations, intentions, and realities that shape our interactions.

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