Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Maxine W. Kumin’s "Running Away Together" is a poignant, dreamlike meditation on escape, intimacy, and the fragility of human connection. Through vivid and whimsical imagery, the poem constructs a vision of a secluded, idyllic retreat that becomes a metaphor for the deep yet vulnerable bond between two individuals. Kumin’s exploration of this intimate world raises questions about permanence, creativity, and the eventual dissolution of all things, even love.

The poem begins with the description of an imagined island, “an island on strings / well out to sea and austere,” evoking a sense of remoteness and simplicity. The island, tethered “as if at anchor,” suggests both security and impermanence, a place of refuge that is simultaneously untethered from the chaos of the mainland. The imagery of the island, “green with enormous fir trees / formal as telephone poles,” blends natural majesty with a touch of the mundane, grounding the fantasy in a recognizably human context.

Kumin’s portrayal of the journey to this island is as significant as the island itself. The couple arrives “slowly / hand over hand without oars,” emphasizing effort and mutual dependence. The act of cutting “the fragile / umbilicus white as a beansprout / that sewed us into our diaries” symbolizes a deliberate severing from the constraints of their previous lives. This umbilicus, both delicate and essential, represents the tether to societal expectations, routines, and personal histories. Its severing marks a rebirth, allowing the couple to redefine themselves in this isolated paradise.

In their new existence, they become “two bleached hermits / at home in our patches and tears.” This description carries an air of humility and acceptance; they embrace imperfection and the simplicity of their self-imposed exile. Their wisdom, metaphorically likened to butter spreading over the sun, suggests a nurturing warmth and a recognition of their small but meaningful role in the universe. The imagery of “days...grapes on a trellis / perfectly oval and furred” evokes a sense of abundance and beauty, yet the mention of furred grapes also hints at decay, subtly foreshadowing the inevitable passage of time.

Kumin introduces the act of writing and sharing poetry as a central motif. At night, the couple sets their poems “adrift in ginger ale bottles,” each equipped with whimsical features like “a clamshell rudder” and “a piggyback spider.” This image captures the act of creation as both playful and poignant. Their poems are sent out into the vast unknown, disconnected from any audience or guarantee of reception. The line “and nothing will come from the mainland / to tell us who cares, who cares” underscores the isolation of their retreat and the existential uncertainty of their artistic efforts. This detachment from external validation mirrors the couple’s broader retreat from societal norms and expectations.

The final stanza shifts from the playful to the sobering, as Kumin reflects on the transience of their connection. The couple’s “lovelock,” a symbol of their bond, is destined to dissolve, as their “two hearts go soft / and black as avocado pears.” The comparison to avocados, with their rich, perishable flesh that quickly turns dark, encapsulates the fragility and impermanence of love and life. The image is both tender and melancholic, acknowledging the beauty of their union even as it inevitably fades.

Kumin’s language and structure mirror the themes of the poem. The gentle, flowing rhythm and rich sensory imagery evoke the dreamlike quality of the imagined retreat, while the understated tone conveys both wonder and resignation. The sparse punctuation and enjambment create a seamless flow, reflecting the continuity and fragility of the couple’s journey together.

"Running Away Together" is a deeply evocative exploration of the tension between intimacy and impermanence. Kumin captures the longing for escape and the solace of shared connection while confronting the inevitability of change and loss. The poem’s blend of whimsy and melancholy resonates with the human desire to find meaning and beauty in the ephemeral, making it a poignant reflection on love, creativity, and the passage of time.

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