Cozy Apologia by Rita Dove Flashcards
Context
20th Century. American. Female. Dove’s expression of profound love for her husband, set against the arrival hurricane Floyd in 1999, the deadliest hurricane in American history. Dove writes about how she’s slightly embarrassed to be as happy as she is blending the personal and historical context of the time
I could pick anything and think of you— / This lamp, the wind-still rain, the glossy blue / My pen exudes, drying matte, upon the page.”
The speaker expresses how their partner is ever-present in their thoughts, finding reminders of them in ordinary objects. This conveys the depth of their bond and the integration of love into the speaker’s everyday life. The tactile, sensory details (“glossy blue,” “drying matte”) emphasize the speaker’s grounding in the physical world, mirroring the tangible comfort of their relationship.
I could choose any hero, any cause or age / And, sure as shooting arrows to the heart, / Astride a dappled mare, legs braced as far apart / As standing in silver stirrups will allow—”
This playful, exaggerated imagery alludes to the idealized, chivalric notions of love, contrasting them with the speaker’s present reality. The romanticized figure of a “hero” is juxtaposed with the everyday intimacy of her partner, highlighting the speaker’s preference for the authentic love they share over grand, unrealistic gestures.
This post-postmodern age is all business: compact disks / And faxes, a do-it-now-and-take-no-risks / Event.”
The speaker acknowledges the fast-paced, practical nature of modern life, which contrasts with the leisurely, romantic notions of the past. Despite this, the relationship thrives, emphasizing that love can find space even in the mundane and pragmatic routines of contemporary existence.
And yet, because nothing else will do / To keep me from melancholy (call it blues), / I fill this stolen time with you.”
Here, the speaker suggests that their partner provides emotional stability and comfort during difficult or uncertain times. The phrase “stolen time” refers to the unexpected pause brought by the hurricane, which allows the speaker to reflect on their relationship. It conveys the solace and joy found in love amid life’s challenges.
You’re bunkered in your / Aerie, I’m perched in mine (Twin desks, computers, hardwood floors): / We’re content, but fall short of the Divine.”
The imagery of “bunkered” and “perched” suggests a sense of safety and individuality within the relationship. The description of “twin desks” and shared domesticity reflects the grounded, practical nature of their love. While the speaker acknowledges that their love isn’t “Divine” or idealized, it is enough to bring comfort and happiness.
I Hurricane Floyd: coming, across the globe, to Florida.”
The hurricane serves as both a literal and metaphorical force, disrupting everyday life but also creating a moment for reflection. It represents external chaos, contrasting with the calm and steadiness of the speaker’s relationship.
Themes
Domestic Love and Intimacy
Contrasts Between Idealized and Real Love
Resilience Amid Chaos
Reflection and Nostalgia
Domestic Love and Intimacy
The poem celebrates the quiet, everyday aspects of love rather than grand romantic gestures, emphasizing comfort and connection.
Contrasts Between Idealized and Real Love
Dove juxtaposes chivalric, idealized notions of romance with the speaker’s grounded, real-world relationship, highlighting the value of authenticity.
Resilience Amid Chaos
The hurricane symbolizes external turmoil, but the speaker’s love provides emotional shelter and stability.
Reflection and Nostalgia
The poem is reflective, using the enforced pause caused by the hurricane to meditate on the relationship’s strength and meaning.
Poem overview
Cozy Apologia is a heartfelt exploration of love in its everyday, imperfect, and deeply comforting form. Rita Dove celebrates the unremarkable yet profound connections that sustain relationships, contrasting them with idealized notions of romance. The poem finds beauty and reassurance in domesticity, portraying love as a refuge in life’s storms—both literal and metaphorical.
