Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Carol Frost's poem "Prodigal" intricately explores the complex dynamics of a relationship, capturing the interplay of intimacy, regret, and the inexorable passage of time. Through evocative imagery and a reflective narrative, the poem delves into themes of reconciliation, the lingering shadows of past conflicts, and the transient nature of human connections.

The poem opens with a sense of movement and togetherness: "They move now brimming with their own separate ways together up the stairs at dusk." This line sets the stage for a moment of shared experience, highlighting the duality of their individual paths converging. The reference to dusk suggests a time of transition, both in the day and metaphorically in their relationship.

The couple's past is described as "far removed, not hours and minutes but what happens to things and animals, what / can't be helped." This reflection implies that their shared history is defined more by events and inevitable circumstances than by measurable time. The focus shifts to a moment of interaction: "He turns to her smiling / darkly, harmed less by her remark (what was it?) than the nothing / to be done, and reaches to touch her hair." This gesture of reaching out, despite the harm caused by an unremembered remark, underscores the complexity of their relationship, where familiar actions coexist with unresolved tensions.

The poem continues with a depiction of their physical closeness: "And they press against each other—a show of the summer softness—as if a little terror / could be pressed away by lips and arms." The act of pressing against each other symbolizes an attempt to find solace and comfort in physical intimacy, even as underlying fears and anxieties persist. The "summer softness" evokes a fleeting warmth and tenderness that contrasts with the "little terror" they seek to assuage.

As the breeze cools their faces, the poem suggests a cyclical nature to their interactions: "there is no more reason / than in the night before to sense what the shadows have brought." The shadows represent the unresolved issues and emotional baggage that accompany them, creating a sense of déjà vu and inevitability. The line "the feeling figure of themselves departing" captures the sense of disconnection and the gradual erosion of their bond.

The poem then addresses the intangible presence of past conflicts: "They'd fought / and made up, but something overheard them—morose, aloof, childish, full of sadnesses—and would not let it fall." This personification of their conflicts as something that "overheard" them and refuses to dissipate emphasizes the enduring impact of their past struggles. The description of this presence as "remorseless now, in shudra face and ashen brow" conveys a sense of inevitability and melancholy.

The poem concludes with an image of departure and loss: "it stands at the foot of the shadows / and waves good-bye—what was theirs and yet did not belong to them." This farewell signifies the end of something significant yet ephemeral, underscoring the theme of transient connections. The final lines, "Sad nights that wait for the morning. / Dogs sleep in them, the flowers stand in them in silent bunches while the winds carom," evoke a quiet, melancholic stillness. The imagery of sleeping dogs and standing flowers suggests a world that continues in silent witness to human emotions and conflicts.

"Prodigal" by Carol Frost is a poignant exploration of the complexities of relationships, capturing the interplay of intimacy, conflict, and the passage of time. Through its rich imagery and introspective tone, the poem invites readers to reflect on the transient nature of human connections and the enduring impact of past experiences. Frost's nuanced portrayal of the couple's journey resonates with the universal themes of love, regret, and the quest for reconciliation.

POEM TEXT: https://www.google.com/books/edition/Venus_and_Don_Juan/SMw6m_pC274C?q=&gbpv=1&bsq=PRODIGAL#f=false

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