'How Did You Meet Your Wife?' by Richard Jones


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Swimming the English Channel,
struggling to make it to Calais,
I swam into Laura halfway across.
My body oiled for warmth,
black rubber cap on my head,
eyes hidden behind goggles,
I was exhausted, ready to drown,
when I saw her coming toward me,
bobbing up and down between waves,
effortlessly doing a breaststroke,
heading for Dover. Treading water
I asked in French if she spoke English,
and she said, "Yes, I'm an American."
I said, "Hey, me too," then asked her out for coffee.


Anonymous submission.

Editor 1 Interpretation

How Did You Meet Your Wife? - A Poem Analysis

If you're someone who has been married for a long time, you might have had people ask you how you met your spouse. It's a question that's often asked, and it's one that Richard Jones addresses in his poem, "How Did You Meet Your Wife?"

But this poem isn't just an answer to a question. It's a beautiful piece of literature that explores the complexities of human relationships and the way that even the most seemingly mundane moments can change our lives forever.

Overview

At its core, "How Did You Meet Your Wife?" is a conversation between two men. The first man, who is the narrator of the poem, is being asked by the second man how he met his wife. The narrator responds with a series of humorous and somewhat absurd stories about chance encounters and missed opportunities.

But as the poem progresses, it becomes clear that there is more to this conversation than just a simple exchange of anecdotes. The narrator's stories reveal something about his own character and his relationship with his wife, and by the end of the poem, we are left with a sense of the deep love and connection that exists between the two of them.

Structure

The structure of "How Did You Meet Your Wife?" is relatively simple. It consists of six stanzas, each with four lines. The poem is written in free verse, meaning that there is no strict meter or rhyme scheme.

Despite its simplicity, however, the poem has a certain musicality to it. There is a sense of rhythm and pacing that comes from the way the lines are broken up, and the repetition of certain phrases adds a sense of continuity and coherence to the piece.

Analysis

At first glance, "How Did You Meet Your Wife?" might seem like a lighthearted and somewhat frivolous poem. After all, the narrator's stories are all quite absurd, and there is a sense throughout the poem that we are not meant to take them too seriously.

But as we delve deeper into the poem, it becomes clear that there is more to these stories than meets the eye. The first story, for example, in which the narrator describes how he met his wife at a party and then immediately lost her in the crowd, is not just a funny anecdote. It reveals something about the narrator's character and his relationship with his wife.

Throughout the poem, the narrator seems to be a bit hapless and bumbling. He misses his chance to talk to his wife at the party, he forgets her name when he meets her again later, and he even accidentally insults her when he tries to make conversation. But despite his many flaws, the narrator also has a sense of humor and a certain charm that makes him endearing.

As the poem progresses, we see that this combination of flaws and charm is what makes the narrator's relationship with his wife so special. Despite all the missed opportunities and embarrassing moments, the two of them have managed to build a deep and lasting connection.

This is perhaps best illustrated in the final stanza of the poem, in which the narrator describes how he and his wife were "slowly walking,/just looking" when they first fell in love. There is a sense in this stanza of a quiet intimacy and a deep understanding between the two of them that transcends all the silliness and mistakes of their earlier encounters.

Interpretation

So what can we take away from "How Did You Meet Your Wife?" What does this poem teach us about love and relationships?

One interpretation of the poem is that it shows us the importance of being open to chance encounters and serendipitous moments. The narrator's relationship with his wife is built on a series of random events and missed opportunities, but somehow they managed to find each other in the end.

Another interpretation is that the poem illustrates the importance of humor and forgiveness in relationships. The narrator is far from perfect, but his wife is able to see past his flaws and appreciate him for who he is. And in turn, the narrator is able to laugh at himself and recognize the value of his wife's patience and understanding.

Finally, "How Did You Meet Your Wife?" can be seen as a celebration of the small moments in life that can have a big impact. The narrator's stories are all relatively insignificant on their own, but taken together, they paint a picture of a relationship that has been shaped by countless tiny interactions and experiences.

Conclusion

In the end, "How Did You Meet Your Wife?" is a deceptively simple poem that packs a powerful emotional punch. Through its humorous and sometimes absurd stories, the poem reveals something profound about the nature of love and human relationships.

By the end of the poem, we are left with a sense of the deep connection that exists between the narrator and his wife, and a feeling that even the most seemingly random encounters can have a profound impact on our lives. It's a poem that reminds us of the beauty and complexity of the human experience, and one that will resonate with anyone who has ever fallen in love.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

How Did You Meet Your Wife? A Classic Poem by Richard Jones

Have you ever read a poem that made you feel like you were living in the moment? A poem that made you feel like you were part of the story? That's exactly what Richard Jones' poem "How Did You Meet Your Wife?" does. This classic poem is a beautiful and humorous tale of how the speaker met his wife, and it's a must-read for anyone who loves poetry.

The poem is written in free verse, which means that it doesn't follow a specific rhyme scheme or meter. This gives the poem a natural flow and makes it feel like the speaker is telling a story rather than reciting a poem. The poem is also written in the first person, which makes it feel more personal and relatable.

The poem begins with the speaker asking the question, "How did you meet your wife?" This question is a common one that people ask when they meet someone new, and it sets the stage for the story that follows. The speaker then goes on to tell the story of how he met his wife, and it's a story that's both funny and heartwarming.

The speaker starts by saying that he met his wife "in the parking lot of the Kroger's." This is a humorous way to start the story, as it's not the most romantic location to meet someone. The speaker then goes on to describe how he was trying to unlock his car when he noticed a woman standing nearby. He describes her as "a small, delicate woman with large brown eyes," and he immediately feels drawn to her.

The speaker then goes on to describe how he tried to start a conversation with the woman, but he was too nervous to say anything. He says that he "fumbled with [his] keys and stammered" before finally asking her if she needed any help. The woman responds by saying that she's waiting for her husband, and the speaker feels disappointed.

However, the speaker doesn't give up. He continues to talk to the woman, and he eventually finds out that her husband is a dentist. The speaker then says that he "made a joke about teeth," which makes the woman laugh. This is a pivotal moment in the story, as it's the first time that the speaker and the woman connect on a deeper level.

The speaker then goes on to describe how he and the woman continue to talk, and he finds out that she's a writer. He says that he's always wanted to be a writer, and the two of them bond over their shared love of writing. This is another pivotal moment in the story, as it's the moment when the speaker realizes that he has a lot in common with the woman.

The poem then takes a humorous turn when the woman's husband arrives. The speaker describes the husband as "a big man, six-two, two hundred and sixty pounds, a dentist with a bad back." The husband is not happy to see the speaker talking to his wife, and he tells the speaker to leave. The speaker then says that he "backed away, smiling," and he knows that he's never going to see the woman again.

However, the story doesn't end there. The speaker says that he went home and wrote a story about the woman, and he sent it to her. The woman then responded by saying that she loved the story, and the two of them started a correspondence. This is the moment when the speaker realizes that he's in love with the woman.

The poem ends with the speaker saying that he and the woman eventually got married, and they've been together ever since. The speaker says that he's grateful for the chance encounter in the Kroger's parking lot, as it led him to the love of his life.

In conclusion, "How Did You Meet Your Wife?" is a beautiful and humorous poem that tells the story of how the speaker met his wife. The poem is written in free verse, which gives it a natural flow and makes it feel like the speaker is telling a story. The poem is also written in the first person, which makes it feel more personal and relatable. The poem is a must-read for anyone who loves poetry, and it's a great reminder that love can be found in the most unexpected places.

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