two spoons half-under a mess
of blankets and sheets on your bed
by the window
with the crappy view
no frame no footboard/headboard
just springs and cushions on the carpet
surrounded by half-worn smelling of you laundry
and books also smelling of you
your thumbs across the long side of their perimeter
272 pages of your touch
This poem has several qualities that I find endearing and noteworthy, but I’ll only note a few here.
The first and most noticeable aspect of this poem is its unwillingness to subject itself to any rules of completeness. Did you notice that the poem avoids the description of an event by remaining incomplete? The focus is placed wholly upon the context with the diminishment of the event.
The second, more endearing aspect of the poem lies in its idealization of a scene that would typically be perceived as less than ideal. A bed with “no frame” or “footboard/headboard,” a window with a “crappy view,” and worn clothes intermingled with unworn clothes strewn about the floor along with books would warrant a stern reminder of general cleanliness from mother; but these makeup the ideal environment for these two lovers. The observer or participant could ask for nothing more from these two or their scene. This is perfection.
Added to these is the unwillingness to describe the lovers. There is anonymity in the verse in this respect which lends to its ability to include any lovers anywhere. There are no rosy-red lips, blonde locks, bronze skin, etc. The lovers slip into the background in order to foreground the moment. The two become greater in their ability to lift the moment.
Finally, the poem is not in love with its own language. Unlike Dickens or Shakespeare (see Matthew Arnold’s criticism of Shakespeare as an example), the language is not a primary concern. This is near blasphemy according to most poets and critics; but this poem is infatuated with the impression it is trying to capture. In this sense, it is an aesthetic piece acting as a counter-text to the anti-aesthetic poetry.
I liked this poem when I first read it. But I failed to also read your analysis.
Now I like it even more. It’s a good thing we have non-mathematicians around here to help us poor number people get some art out of life