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Annotated by:
- Nixon, Lois LaCivita
- Date of entry: Dec-17-1996
Summary
This poem is one of several by Stephen Dunn in which the dynamics of married life are examined. The speaker begins by saying that in marriage "anything that can happen between two people" eventually will, including things that cause incredible hurt and pain. The couple portrayed in the poem stays together through tacit agreement; whatever the hurtful event, neither refers to it. Instead, conversation centers on harmless subjects such as the garden, work, and little aches. While living together in the same house, the couple remains separate because forgiveness is not forthcoming for the spouse who trespassed.
Primary Source
Local Time
Publisher
William Morrow: Quill
Place Published
New York
Edition
1986
Commentary