'One Flesh' by Elizabeth Jennings
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Lying apart now, each in a separate bed,
He with a book, keeping the light on late,
She like a girl dreaming of childhood,
All men elsewhere - it is as if they wait
Some new event: the book he holds unread,
Her eyes fixed on the shadows overhead.
Tossed up like flotsam from a former passion,
How cool they lie. They hardly ever touch,
Or if they do, it is like a confession
Of having little feeling - or too much.
Chastity faces them, a destination
For which their whole lives were a preparation.
Strangely apart, yet strangely close together,
Silence between them like a thread to hold
And not wind in. And time itself's a feather
Touching them gently. Do they know they're old,
These two who are my father and my mother
Whose fire from which I came, has now grown cold?
Submitted by Gnute
Editor 1 Interpretation
One Flesh: A Reflection on Elizabeth Jennings' Poem
Elizabeth Jennings was a British poet and literary critic who lived from 1926 to 2001. She was known for her minimalist style and use of religious and spiritual themes in her works. One of her most famous poems is "One Flesh," which was published in her 1966 collection entitled "Lucidities."
In "One Flesh," Jennings explores the concept of long-term love and the changes that occur within a relationship over time. The poem is written in free verse and consists of three stanzas, each with four lines. The simplicity of the poem's structure is reflective of the theme of the poem - the beauty of a long-lasting love that endures through life's ups and downs.
The first stanza of the poem introduces the couple and their relationship:
"Lying apart now, each in a separate bed, He with a book, keeping the light on late, She like a girl dreaming of childhood, All men elsewhere - it is as if they wait"
At first glance, the stanza seems to depict a couple sleeping in separate beds, which, to the modern reader, may suggest marital problems. However, the couple is not physically apart; they are in different beds, but in the same room, and are still aware of each other's presence.
The tone of the stanza is melancholic, reflective of the couple's old age and the changes that have occurred within their relationship. The husband is reading a book and keeping the light on late, while the wife is dreaming of childhood. The mention of the men elsewhere suggests that they are reflecting on their pasts and are aware of their own mortality.
The second stanza of the poem continues the theme of the couple's long-lasting love:
"Or as if, in hiding, they have exchanged Their knowing smiles. For they have come to terms With the fate that brought them here, each knows well Neither could have chosen otherwise"
The stanza suggests that the couple has accepted their fate and that they are content with each other's company. Their knowing smiles suggest a shared understanding and a deep intimacy that goes beyond words. The phrase "come to terms" suggests that the couple has had to overcome hurdles in their relationship, but that they have emerged stronger from them.
The use of the phrase "neither could have chosen otherwise" is particularly poignant. It suggests that the couple's love is not based on a romantic ideal, but on a deep understanding of each other's flaws and imperfections. The couple is together not because of external factors such as wealth or social status, but because they have chosen to love each other despite their faults.
The final stanza of the poem concludes with a reflection on the couple's love:
"So, leaning on each other, they would drift Into an old age that was like a final sleep, Fragrant with remembered things - Their heads would fall together till they slept"
The stanza suggests that the couple is leaning on each other for support, physically and emotionally. The phrase "drift into an old age" suggests that the couple is accepting of their physical decline and that they are ready to face their final years together. The mention of "remembered things" suggests that the couple is reflecting on their shared memories and that these memories are a source of comfort for them.
The final line of the poem, "Their heads would fall together till they slept," is particularly powerful. It suggests that the couple is so intertwined that they are almost one entity. The image of their heads falling together suggests a final surrender to each other and to their love.
In conclusion, "One Flesh" is a powerful reflection on the beauty of long-lasting love. Jennings' use of simple language and structure highlights the simplicity and purity of the couple's love. The poem is a reminder that love is not always about grand gestures or romantic ideals, but about the acceptance of each other's flaws and the shared journey through life. As readers, we are left with a sense of awe at the depth of the couple's love and a longing for a similar connection in our own lives.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
One Flesh: A Poem of Love and Loss
Elizabeth Jennings’ One Flesh is a classic poem that explores the complexities of love and loss in a marriage. The poem is a poignant reflection on the passage of time and the inevitable changes that come with it. It is a deeply personal and emotional piece that speaks to the heart of anyone who has experienced the joys and sorrows of a long-term relationship.
The poem is structured in three stanzas, each with four lines. The first stanza sets the scene and introduces the central theme of the poem – the passage of time. The second stanza explores the relationship between the two people in the poem, while the third stanza brings the poem to a close with a powerful and emotional conclusion.
The first stanza begins with the line “Lying apart now, each in a separate bed”. This line immediately sets the tone for the poem, conveying a sense of distance and separation between the two people. The use of the word “now” suggests that this is a recent development, and that the couple were once much closer. The second line, “He with a book, keeping the light on late” suggests that the man is trying to distract himself from the reality of the situation by reading. The third line, “She like a girl dreaming of childhood” suggests that the woman is lost in her own thoughts, perhaps reminiscing about happier times. The final line of the stanza, “All the past we skirted now lies sprawled” suggests that the couple have been avoiding confronting their problems, but that they can no longer ignore them.
The second stanza explores the relationship between the two people in the poem. The first line, “Wine or no wine, we wish unstated things” suggests that there are things that the couple want to say to each other, but are unable to. The second line, “Lying near, not touching, feeling the heat” suggests that there is still a physical attraction between them, but that they are unable to act on it. The third line, “All the tender words we did not speak” suggests that the couple have been holding back their feelings for each other, perhaps out of fear of rejection or because they have become complacent in their relationship. The final line of the stanza, “All the secrets that we never shared” suggests that there are things that the couple have kept from each other, perhaps out of a fear of judgement or because they are afraid of hurting each other.
The final stanza brings the poem to a close with a powerful and emotional conclusion. The first line, “Time has transfigured them into untruth” suggests that the couple have become different people over time, and that their relationship has suffered as a result. The second line, “The stone fidelity they hardly meant” suggests that the couple were once faithful to each other, but that their commitment to each other has waned over time. The third line, “Has come to be their final blazonment” suggests that the couple’s lack of commitment to each other has become their defining characteristic. The final line of the poem, “And to prove our almost-instinct almost true: What will survive of us is love” suggests that despite the difficulties that the couple have faced, their love for each other will endure.
One Flesh is a deeply personal and emotional poem that speaks to the heart of anyone who has experienced the joys and sorrows of a long-term relationship. The poem explores the complexities of love and loss, and the inevitable changes that come with the passage of time. The poem is structured in three stanzas, each with four lines, and uses powerful imagery and language to convey the emotions of the couple. The poem is a testament to the enduring power of love, and a reminder that even in the face of adversity, love can endure.
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