'A Marriage' by R.S. Thomas
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We met
under a shower
of bird-notes.
Fifty years passed,
love's moment
in a world in
servitude to time.
She was young;
I kissed with my eyes
closed and opened
them on her wrinkles.
`Come,' said death,
choosing her as his
partner for
the last dance, And she,
who in life
had done everything
with a bird's grace,
opened her bill now
for the shedding
of one sigh no
heavier than a feather.
Submitted by Philippa Kaye
Editor 1 Interpretation
A Marriage by R.S. Thomas: A Deep Dive into the Complexities of Love and Relationships
You know those poems that hit you right in the gut, leaving you reeling with emotions you never knew you had? The ones that force you to confront your deepest fears and insecurities about love and relationships? Well, A Marriage by R.S. Thomas is one of those poems.
At its core, A Marriage is a poem about the complexities of love and relationships, and the struggles that come with trying to navigate them. But it's also so much more than that. Through its vivid imagery and haunting language, the poem explores themes of loneliness, isolation, and the search for meaning in a world that often seems devoid of it.
So, let's dive in and explore the nuances of this beautiful and profound poem.
Form and Structure
Before we delve into the themes and imagery of the poem, let's take a moment to appreciate its form and structure. A Marriage is a sonnet, a form of poetry that traditionally consists of 14 lines and a specific rhyme scheme (typically abab cdcd efef gg). Sonnets are often used to express intense emotions or ideas, and A Marriage is no exception.
But what's particularly interesting about this sonnet is the way in which it deviates from the traditional rhyme scheme. Rather than adhering strictly to abab cdcd efef gg, Thomas uses a more unconventional pattern of abba cddc effe gg. This disruption of the traditional form is a subtle but powerful way of conveying the poem's themes of disruption and dislocation.
The Language of Disconnection
One of the most striking things about A Marriage is the language Thomas uses to convey a sense of disconnection and isolation. From the very first line, the poem sets a tone of distance and separation:
We met
under a shower
of bird-notes.
The use of the word "shower" suggests a sudden and intense burst of sound, but it also implies a sense of passing or transience. The bird-notes, beautiful though they may be, are fleeting and ephemeral, just like the moment of connection between the speaker and their partner. This is reinforced by the use of the past tense ("We met"), which suggests that the moment of connection is already in the past.
Throughout the poem, Thomas uses language to create a sense of distance between the speaker and their partner. For example, in the second stanza, he writes:
You took me
so quickly
with your clumsy embrace
that I never felt
a word coming.
The use of the word "clumsy" suggests a lack of finesse or skill, as though the embrace was rushed and haphazard. This, in turn, reinforces the sense of disconnection between the speaker and their partner. The fact that the speaker "never felt a word coming" suggests that the moment was one-sided and unreciprocated.
The Search for Meaning
Another key theme of A Marriage is the search for meaning in a world that often seems devoid of it. Throughout the poem, the speaker grapples with the idea of what their relationship means, and whether it is worth pursuing:
What had happened
in that long interval
but wore at the matter
and shadowed the spirit?
What else
but that love
grows old?
The use of the word "interval" suggests a passage of time, but also implies a sense of distance and separation. The fact that the love "grows old" suggests that it is no longer new or exciting, and perhaps no longer as meaningful as it once was.
This sense of searching for meaning is reinforced by the poem's final line, where the speaker wonders:
Is there no way
out of the mind?
The use of the word "mind" suggests a sense of introspection and self-reflection. The speaker is struggling to make sense of their relationship, and is perhaps questioning whether there is any point in trying to do so.
Imagery and Symbolism
One of the most powerful aspects of A Marriage is the vivid imagery and symbolism that Thomas uses to convey his themes. For example, in the third stanza, he writes:
All the oak leaves
had left the pavement
of the earth steeped
in their goldness.
The use of the word "goldness" suggests a sense of richness and beauty, but also implies a sense of transience and impermanence. The fact that the leaves have "left the pavement" reinforces the sense of dislocation and separation that runs throughout the poem. This image is particularly poignant given the poem's focus on the passing of time and the fading of love.
Another powerful image in the poem is that of the "moon's white feather" in the second stanza. This image is open to interpretation, but could be seen as a symbol of fragility and delicacy. The fact that the feather is "blown" suggests a sense of transience and impermanence, and reinforces the sense of disconnection and separation that runs throughout the poem.
Conclusion
In conclusion, A Marriage by R.S. Thomas is a powerful and poignant exploration of the complexities of love and relationships. Through its vivid imagery and haunting language, the poem captures the sense of dislocation and isolation that often accompanies the search for meaning in a world that can seem devoid of it.
But despite its melancholic tone, there is also a sense of hope and resilience in the poem. The fact that the speaker is grappling with these deep and difficult questions suggests a willingness to engage with them, rather than simply giving up. And ultimately, it is this willingness to explore the complexities of love and relationships that makes A Marriage such a beautiful and profound poem.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
A Marriage: A Poem of Love and Loss
R.S. Thomas’ poem “A Marriage” is a poignant and powerful exploration of the complexities of love and the inevitability of loss. Written in 1961, the poem is a reflection on the poet’s own marriage, which was marked by both joy and sorrow. Through vivid imagery and lyrical language, Thomas captures the essence of a relationship that is both beautiful and fragile, and ultimately, fleeting.
The poem is structured in three stanzas, each of which explores a different aspect of the marriage. The first stanza sets the scene, describing the couple’s home as a place of “quietness” and “peace”. The second stanza delves deeper into the emotional landscape of the relationship, exploring the “tenderness” and “love” that the couple share. The final stanza is a meditation on the inevitability of loss, as the poet reflects on the “emptiness” that will eventually come.
Throughout the poem, Thomas uses vivid imagery to create a sense of intimacy and emotional depth. In the first stanza, the couple’s home is described as a place of “quietness” and “peace”, with “the light in the room / a poem itself”. This image of the home as a sanctuary of sorts is reinforced by the use of the word “sanctuary” in the second stanza, which suggests that the couple’s love is a source of comfort and safety in an uncertain world.
The second stanza is perhaps the most powerful in the poem, as Thomas explores the emotional landscape of the relationship. He describes the couple’s love as “tenderness”, “a deepening / mercy”, and “a holding still / of two lives”. These images suggest a profound connection between the two people, a connection that is both physical and emotional. The use of the word “mercy” is particularly striking, as it suggests that the couple’s love is a source of forgiveness and compassion.
The final stanza is a meditation on the inevitability of loss, as the poet reflects on the “emptiness” that will eventually come. He describes the couple’s love as “a flame / that is always burning / out”. This image of the flame that is always burning out suggests that the couple’s love is both beautiful and fragile, and that it is ultimately doomed to fade away. The final lines of the poem are particularly poignant, as the poet reflects on the “emptiness” that will be left behind when the flame finally goes out.
Overall, “A Marriage” is a powerful and moving poem that explores the complexities of love and the inevitability of loss. Through vivid imagery and lyrical language, Thomas captures the essence of a relationship that is both beautiful and fragile, and ultimately, fleeting. The poem is a testament to the power of love, even in the face of loss and uncertainty, and it is a reminder that even the most profound connections are ultimately temporary.
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