One Flesh (Elizabeth Jennings)

Elizabeth Jennings' poem "One Flesh" explores the theme of marital estrangement and the passage of time within a long-term relationship. Through vivid imagery and introspective reflection, the poem delves into the complexities of intimacy, distance, and the erosion of connection over time. You can read the poem below and find analysis further down the page.

One Flesh by Elizabeth Jennings

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 ­ re from which I came, has now grown cold?

Analysis:

Physical and Emotional Distance: The poem opens with a stark portrayal of the couple lying apart in separate beds, physically distant and absorbed in their own thoughts. Despite their proximity, they seem emotionally disconnected, as indicated by their lack of physical touch and the husband's unread book.

Reflection on Marriage: The poem reflects on the nature of marriage and the evolution of intimacy within the relationship. The couple's lack of physical closeness is contrasted with their shared history and the "former passion" that once brought them together.

Symbolism: Symbolic elements such as the "thread" of silence and the metaphor of "chastity" represent the barriers that have arisen between the couple, preventing them from fully engaging with each other emotionally and physically.

Passage of Time: The poem conveys a sense of resignation and acceptance of aging, as the couple reflects on the coldness of their relationship and the inevitability of growing old together. Time is depicted as a gentle force that has gradually distanced them from each other.

Narrative Voice: The poem is narrated from the perspective of the couple's child, who observes their parents' relationship with a mixture of empathy and detachment. This narrative voice adds depth to the poem and invites readers to contemplate the generational impact of marital estrangement.

Themes:

Marital Estrangement: The poem explores the theme of marital estrangement, depicting a relationship marked by physical and emotional distance despite shared history and proximity.

Intimacy and Connection: The erosion of intimacy within the relationship is a central theme of the poem, as the couple grapples with feelings of loneliness and isolation despite their proximity to each other.

Passage of Time: Time and aging are recurring motifs in the poem, symbolising the gradual decay of the couple's relationship and the acceptance of mortality and change.

Generational Perspectives: The perspective of the couple's child offers a unique lens through which to view the dynamics of the relationship, highlighting the intergenerational impact of marital estrangement and the passage of time.

Language and Structure:

Imagery: The poem employs vivid imagery to evoke the physical and emotional distance between the couple, as well as the passage of time and the aging process.

Repetition: The repetition of the word "strangely" in the second stanza emphasizes the paradoxical nature of the couple's relationship, simultaneously close and distant.

Enjambment: The poem features enjambment, with lines flowing seamlessly into one another, mirroring the fluidity of thought and emotion within the narrative.

Tone: The tone of the poem is reflective and contemplative, conveying a sense of resignation and acceptance of the couple's situation.

Shift in Perspective: The shift from the couple's perspective to that of their child adds depth to the poem, allowing for a broader exploration of the themes of intimacy, estrangement, and aging.

Conclusion:

One Flesh by Elizabeth Jennings is a poignant exploration of marital estrangement, aging, and the passage of time within a long-term relationship. Through its evocative imagery, introspective reflection, and generational perspective, the poem offers insights into the complexities of intimacy and connection, as well as the inevitability of change and mortality.

You can find analysis of all the Edexcel Relationships Poetry Anthology Poems here.