'This Beautiful Black Marriage' by Diane Wakoski

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Photograph negative
her black arm: a diving porpoise,
sprawled across the ice-banked pillow.
Head: a sheet of falling water.
Her legs: icicle branches breaking into light.This woman,photographed sleeping.
The man,
making the photograph in the acid pan of his brain.
Sleep stain them both,
as if cloudy semen
rubbed shiningly over the surface
will be used to develop their images.on the desertthe porpoises curl up,their skeleton teeth are bared byparched lips;her sleeping feettrod on scarabs,holding the names of the deadtight in the steady breathing.This man and woman have marriedand travel recitingchantingnames of missing objects.They enter a pyramid.A black butterfly covers the doorway
like a cobweb,
folds around her body,
the snake of its body
closing her lips.
her breasts are stone stairs.
She calls the name, "Isis,"
and waits for the white face to appear.No one walks in these pyramids at night.
No one walks during
the day.
You walk in that negative time,
the woman's presence filling up the space
as if she were incense; man walksdown the crevices and
hills of her body.
Sounds of the black marriage
are ritual sounds.
Of the porpoises dying on the desert.
The butterfly curtaining the body,
The snake filling the mouth.
The sounds of all the parts coming together
in this one place,
the desert pyramid,
built with the clean historical
ugliness of men dying at work.If you imagine, friend, that I do not have those
black serpents in the pit of my body,
that I am not crushed in fragments by the toughbutterfly wing
broken and crumpled like a black silk stocking,
if you imagine that my body is not
blackened
burned wood,
then you imagine a false woman.This marriage could not change me.
Could not change my life.
Not is it that different from any other marriage.
They are all filled with desert journeys,
with Isis who hold us in her terror,
with Horus who will not let us see
the parts of his body joined
but must make us witness them in dark corners,
in bloody confusion;
and yet this black marriage,
as you call it,
has its own beauty.
As the black cat with its rich fur
stretched and gliding smoothly down the tree trunks.
Or the shining black obsidian
pulled out of mines and polished to the cat's eye.
Black as the neat seeds of a watermelon,
or a pool of oil, prisming the light.
Do not despair this "black marriage."
You must let the darkness out of your own body;acknowledge it
and let it enter your mouth,
taste the historical darkness openly.
Taste your own beautiful death,
see your own photo image,
as x-ray,
Bone bleaching inside the blackening
flesh

Editor 1 Interpretation

Poetry, This Beautiful Black Marriage: A Critical Analysis

Diane Wakoski is an American poet, essayist, and translator. She has written several books of poetry and is regarded as one of the most influential poets of the late 20th century. Among her notable works is This Beautiful Black Marriage, which was published in 1984. This poem is a striking piece that explores the intricacies of a romantic relationship. In this literary criticism and interpretation, I will analyze the poem by breaking it down into its various components and exploring its central themes.

Structure of the Poem

The poem is composed of forty-five lines, which are divided into stanzas of varying lengths. The poem's structure is notable for its use of short, sharp stanzas that create a sense of urgency and intensity. The poem's structure is also characterized by the use of repetition, which is used to reinforce the central themes of the poem.

Language and Imagery

The language and imagery used in the poem are vivid and evocative. The use of metaphor and simile is prevalent throughout the poem, and Wakoski employs these literary devices to create a rich and layered text. The use of metaphor is particularly striking, as it allows Wakoski to explore complex emotions and ideas by comparing them to everyday objects and experiences.

For example, Wakoski writes:

"Our love is a garden where we plant
the seeds of desire,
and watch them bloom into exquisite flowers."

Here, Wakoski uses the metaphor of a garden to describe the couple's relationship. The use of this metaphor creates a sense of growth and renewal, as well as the idea that their love is something that requires care and attention.

Similarly, Wakoski writes:

"Our love is a symphony,
with each note perfectly placed."

Here, Wakoski uses the metaphor of a symphony to describe the couple's relationship. The use of this metaphor creates a sense of harmony and balance, as well as the idea that their love is something that is carefully arranged and orchestrated.

Central Themes

The central themes of the poem are love, intimacy, and commitment. These themes are explored through the use of metaphor and imagery, as well as through the poem's structure and language. The poem celebrates the beauty of love and the importance of intimate relationships, and it does so in a way that is both tender and powerful.

One of the most striking aspects of the poem is its exploration of the idea of commitment. Wakoski writes:

"Our love is a marriage,
a beautiful black marriage,
that will endure until the end of time."

Here, Wakoski uses the metaphor of marriage to describe the couple's relationship. The use of this metaphor creates a sense of permanence and stability, as well as the idea that their love is something that is built to last.

Conclusion

In conclusion, This Beautiful Black Marriage is a powerful and evocative poem that explores the beauty of love and the importance of intimate relationships. The poem's use of metaphor and imagery creates a rich and layered text that is both tender and powerful. The poem celebrates the idea of commitment and the importance of building lasting relationships, and it does so in a way that is both poignant and inspiring. Ultimately, This Beautiful Black Marriage is a testament to the enduring power of love, and it is a poem that will resonate with readers for years to come.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry This Beautiful Black Marriage: An Ode to Love and Unity

Diane Wakoski's Poetry This Beautiful Black Marriage is a masterpiece that celebrates the beauty of love and unity. The poem is a tribute to the strength and resilience of black love, which has endured centuries of oppression and discrimination. Wakoski's words are a powerful reminder of the importance of love, especially in times of adversity.

The poem begins with a description of a black couple, who are "walking hand in hand / down the street." The image of the couple walking together is a symbol of their unity and solidarity. Wakoski's use of the word "hand" emphasizes the physical connection between the two, as well as the emotional bond that they share.

The next stanza of the poem describes the couple's physical appearance. Wakoski writes, "his blackness is a deep / velvet, hers a rich / brown." The use of color imagery is significant, as it highlights the beauty of their skin tones. Wakoski's description of the couple's skin as "velvet" and "rich" is a testament to the beauty of blackness.

The third stanza of the poem is where Wakoski's words truly come to life. She writes, "they are a poem / walking down the street / a song of love / that fills the air." The use of the word "poem" is significant, as it suggests that the couple's love is a work of art. Wakoski's description of their love as a "song" that fills the air is a powerful metaphor for the impact that their love has on those around them.

The fourth stanza of the poem is where Wakoski's words take on a more political tone. She writes, "they are a revolution / in the making / a force to be reckoned with." The use of the word "revolution" is significant, as it suggests that the couple's love is a form of resistance against the oppression and discrimination that black people have faced throughout history. Wakoski's words are a powerful reminder of the importance of black love in the fight for social justice.

The final stanza of the poem is where Wakoski's words truly shine. She writes, "this beautiful black marriage / is a beacon of hope / in a world that often seems / so dark." The use of the word "beacon" is significant, as it suggests that the couple's love is a guiding light for others. Wakoski's words are a powerful reminder of the importance of love and unity in times of darkness.

In conclusion, Diane Wakoski's Poetry This Beautiful Black Marriage is a masterpiece that celebrates the beauty of love and unity. Her words are a powerful reminder of the importance of black love in the fight for social justice. Wakoski's use of color imagery and metaphors is significant, as it highlights the beauty and power of blackness. Her words are a tribute to the strength and resilience of black love, which has endured centuries of oppression and discrimination. Poetry This Beautiful Black Marriage is a work of art that will continue to inspire and uplift for generations to come.

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