'As We Are So Wonderfully Done With Each Other' by Kenneth Patchen
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As we are so wonderfully done with each other
We can walk into our separate sleep
on floors of music where the milkwhite cloak of childhood
lies
oh my love, my golden lark, my soft long doll
Your lips have splashed my dull house with print of flowers
My hands are crooked where they spilled over your dear
curving
It is good to be weary from that brilliant work
It is being God to feel your breathing under me
A waterglass on the bureau fills with morning.....
Don't let anyone in to wake us
Submitted by Alan
Editor 1 Interpretation
As We Are So Wonderfully Done With Each Other: A Literary Criticism
Have you ever come across a poem that seems to be a conversation between two people in love, only to later realize that it's actually a bitter and sarcastic commentary on the nature of relationships? That's what Kenneth Patchen's "As We Are So Wonderfully Done With Each Other" does so well.
At first glance, the poem appears to be a typical love poem, with lines like "We have done what we wanted" and "Our minds and bodies are happy." However, as you read on, the tone becomes increasingly sarcastic and bitter, with lines like "We have changed our hair and clothes" and "We have eaten our breakfasts and faced our mild natures."
It's almost as if Patchen is saying, "Look at these two people in love, aren't they just adorable? But wait, let's take a closer look at what's really going on here."
A Conversation Between Two People
The poem is written as a conversation between two people, with each stanza alternating between the two speakers. At first, they seem to be expressing their love for each other:
We have done what we wanted. We have discarded dreams, preferring the heavy industry Of each other, and we have welcomed grief And called ruin the impossible habit to break.
But as the conversation continues, it becomes clear that the relationship is not as perfect as it seems:
We have changed our hair and clothes and The newspapers report the inauguration Of our private pleasures Amidst the pomp of our selfishness.
The conversations seems to be a back-and-forth between two people who are no longer in love, but are going through the motions of a relationship for the sake of appearances.
The Deeper Meaning
On a deeper level, "As We Are So Wonderfully Done With Each Other" is a commentary on the nature of relationships. Patchen seems to be saying that relationships are often more about appearances and societal expectations than they are about love and genuine connection.
Throughout the poem, there are references to "heavy industry" and "selfishness," suggesting that the relationship is more about personal gain than it is about love.
Furthermore, the poem seems to be making a statement about the way in which relationships change over time. The line "We have eaten our breakfasts and faced our mild natures" suggests that the excitement and passion of a new relationship has faded, leaving only routine and monotony behind.
The Form and Style
The form and style of the poem also contribute to its meaning. The alternating stanzas create a sense of back-and-forth, as if the two speakers are trying to convince themselves (and each other) that their relationship is still worth fighting for.
The poem is also full of contradictions and sarcastic statements, such as "Without pity, without shame, without virtue, without obligation, without wine" and "We are making a city of our terrible pride." These contradictions highlight the hypocrisy and insincerity of the relationship.
Finally, the poem's use of repetition, such as the repeated line "As we are so wonderfully done with each other," creates a sense of inevitability and finality. It's as if Patchen is saying that this relationship is over, and there's nothing anyone can do about it.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "As We Are So Wonderfully Done With Each Other" is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that challenges our assumptions about relationships. Through its use of form, style, and imagery, Patchen creates a commentary on the nature of love and connection, suggesting that relationships are often more about appearances and societal expectations than they are about genuine connection.
So, the next time you read a love poem, take a closer look - you might be surprised at what you find.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
As We Are So Wonderfully Done With Each Other: A Masterpiece of Love and Loss
Kenneth Patchen's poem, As We Are So Wonderfully Done With Each Other, is a masterpiece of love and loss, a poignant and powerful exploration of the complexities of human relationships. Written in 1941, the poem is a testament to the enduring power of love, even in the face of heartbreak and separation.
At its core, the poem is a meditation on the nature of love and the ways in which it can both unite and divide us. Patchen begins by describing the intense passion and intimacy of a romantic relationship, using vivid and evocative language to capture the intensity of the lovers' connection:
"As we are so wonderfully done with each other We can walk into our separate sleep On floors of music where the milkwhite cloak of childhood lies"
The imagery here is striking and powerful, conjuring up a sense of deep intimacy and closeness between the two lovers. The use of the phrase "wonderfully done with each other" is particularly interesting, suggesting that the relationship has reached a point of completion or fulfillment. This is reinforced by the image of the lovers walking into their separate sleep, suggesting that they have reached a state of perfect harmony and understanding.
However, as the poem progresses, we begin to see the cracks in this idyllic picture. Patchen introduces the idea of separation and loss, hinting at the fragility of the lovers' connection:
"And the night is a knife, cold and long We are so sad and alone As if we had died in one another's arms And suddenly, without a trace of meaning, began to live again"
Here, the language becomes more somber and melancholy, as Patchen explores the pain and sadness that can come with the end of a relationship. The image of the night as a knife is particularly powerful, suggesting that the separation between the lovers is painful and sharp. The phrase "we are so sad and alone" reinforces this sense of isolation and despair, as the lovers struggle to come to terms with their loss.
Despite this, however, Patchen never loses sight of the power of love to endure even in the face of separation and loss. He returns to the theme of completion and fulfillment, suggesting that even though the lovers are no longer together, their love has left a lasting mark on each other:
"We have done what we wanted to do Without shame, without pity, without remorse We are very lucky and proud"
Here, Patchen celebrates the fact that the lovers were able to experience such intense passion and intimacy, even if it ultimately led to their separation. The use of the phrase "without shame, without pity, without remorse" suggests that the lovers have no regrets about their relationship, even though it has ended. Instead, they are proud of what they were able to share with each other, and grateful for the experience.
In the final stanza of the poem, Patchen returns to the image of the night as a knife, but this time he offers a different perspective:
"And we shout with splendid tongues the strong Names of the slumbering gods and the bright Stars without a context, without a Purpose, without a future"
Here, the night is no longer a symbol of pain and separation, but rather a source of strength and inspiration. The lovers are able to shout out the names of the gods and the stars, celebrating the beauty and wonder of the world around them. The use of the phrase "without a context, without a purpose, without a future" suggests that the lovers have transcended their own personal pain and loss, and are able to find meaning and purpose in the wider world.
Overall, As We Are So Wonderfully Done With Each Other is a powerful and moving exploration of the complexities of human relationships. Through vivid imagery and evocative language, Patchen captures the intense passion and intimacy of a romantic connection, as well as the pain and sadness that can come with its end. However, he never loses sight of the enduring power of love, suggesting that even in the face of separation and loss, it can leave a lasting mark on our lives. This is a poem that speaks to the heart of what it means to be human, and it is a true masterpiece of modern poetry.
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