Analysis
This poem explores a mans appreciation of his wife, the endless natural imagery of 'busty nest' and 'pigeon coos' connote a warmth and belonging as well as a mating call. The repetition of 'MY', 'my devotee' 'my epic regular', though perhaps signifying ownership, implies a complete affection with all attention on her. The cyclical nature of the 'epic regular' depicts a faithful, timeless nature to their marriage and yet within this cycle, the love is still clearly 'epic' and 'powerful'. Comparing her to a 'peach' and 'orchard' gives love and natural, fruitful association, full of life and vitality that confirms the reading that by 'regular' he does not mean monotonous but ever- lasting. In a plead to 'let her name be secret', the value of the relationship is clear, their sacred love needs to be kept hidden and protected.
The position of pronouns exemplify the husbands sheer devotion to his wife, 'I thrust to woo her' it is poignant that here it is he who fights to please her, in an image much like the 'surrendering waves' of Abse's A Scene From Married Life. The final declarative, 'I adore.' asserts a confidence to his feelings, combining both natural elements to their affection with an assured affair.
it isnt actually his wife that he speaks of in the poem but the countless women that he sleeps with, hence the "boast"ing
ReplyDelete