Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

May Swenson’s “Secure” is a poignant meditation on the fragility of existence, the human desire to suspend reality, and the inevitability of mortality. Through its restrained yet evocative language, the poem captures the interplay between fleeting moments of solace and the inescapable presence of death. Swenson explores themes of denial, intimacy, and impermanence, inviting readers to confront their own vulnerabilities while reveling in the transient beauty of connection.

The poem opens with an invitation to self-deception: “Let us deceive ourselves a little / while.” This initial plea sets the tone for the delicate balance Swenson seeks to navigate—a willful rejection of harsh truths in favor of fleeting comfort. The act of pretending that “air is earth” and that “falling” can resemble “resting” within a lover’s gaze introduces a dreamlike quality. The metaphorical substitution of air for earth underscores the fragility of the illusion, as if the lovers are floating in a liminal space, tethered by their shared desire to escape the reality of their circumstances.

Swenson’s deliberate use of repetition in “Let us” creates a litany-like rhythm, emphasizing the speaker’s yearning to suspend time and deny the natural order of things. The denial that “flame consumes” or “fruit ripens” evokes the inevitability of decay and the passage of time. These elemental forces—fire, growth, and the breaking wave—are reminders of life’s ceaseless movement toward change and dissolution. Yet, the speaker implores a temporary reprieve from these truths, creating a momentary sanctuary in the shared illusion of stillness.

The poem’s imagery is intimate and tactile, reinforcing the connection between the two figures. The line “Let us lean upon the moment and expect / time to enfold us” conveys the precarious nature of their shared experience. Time, often unforgiving, is personified as something that might “enfold” and protect them, even as its inevitable progression looms. The invocation of space as a force capable of sustaining their weight further highlights their shared defiance of reality, as they seek refuge in each other.

Swenson’s treatment of breath as a symbol of intimacy is particularly striking: “falling lie face to face and drink / each other’s breath.” This act of mutual sustenance is both tender and profound, emphasizing the closeness of the moment while alluding to the fragility of life itself. Breath, as the essence of existence, becomes a fleeting bridge between the two figures, underscoring the tension between connection and impermanence.

The poem’s closing lines—“We lie secure / within the careful mind of death”—introduce a stark and sobering realization. The use of “secure” juxtaposes the earlier pleas for self-deception, suggesting a paradoxical comfort in the acknowledgment of mortality. Death is personified as possessing a “careful mind,” a presence that ultimately envelops the lovers and their moment of stillness. Rather than being portrayed as a force to be feared, death becomes a kind of protector, providing the ultimate stillness and release from the turmoil of life.

In “Secure”, Swenson masterfully blends themes of denial, intimacy, and mortality into a compact, lyrical meditation. The poem’s restrained language and repetition mirror the fragile equilibrium the speaker seeks to maintain, while its vivid imagery draws readers into the transient sanctuary of the lovers’ shared illusion. Swenson’s exploration of the human desire to pause the inexorable march of time resonates deeply, offering a poignant reflection on the delicate beauty of existence and the solace found in connection, even in the face of death. Ultimately, the poem’s quiet acceptance of mortality underscores the inevitability of life’s cycle, inviting readers to embrace the fleeting moments of connection and solace that make life meaningful.

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