'Sex With A Famous Poet' by Denise Duhamel


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I had sex with a famous poet last night
and when I rolled over and found myself beside him I shuddered
because I was married to someone else,
because I wasn't supposed to have been drinking,
because I was in fancy hotel room
I didn't recognize. I would have told you
right off this was a dream, but recently
a friend told me, write about a dream,
lose a reader
and I didn't want to lose you
right away. I wanted you to hear
that I didn't even like the poet in the dream, that he has
four kids, the youngest one my age, and I find him
rather unattractive, that I only met him once,
that is, in real life, and that was in a large group
in which I barely spoke up. He disgusted me
with his disparaging remarks about women.
He even used the word "Jap"
which I took as a direct insult to my husband who's Asian.
When we were first dating, I told him
"You were talking in your sleep last night
and I listened, just to make sure you didn't
call out anyone else's name." My future-husband said
that he couldn't be held responsible for his subconscious,
which worried me, which made me think his dreams
were full of blond vixens in rabbit-fur bikinis.
but he said no, he dreamt mostly about boulders
and the ocean and volcanoes, dangerous weather
he witnessed but could do nothing to stop.
And I said, "I dream only of you,"
which was romantic and silly and untrue.
But I never thought I'd dream of another man--
my husband and I hadn't even had a fight,
my head tucked sweetly in his armpit, my arm
around his belly, which lifted up and down
all night, gently like water in a lake.
If I passed that famous poet on the street,
he would walk by, famous in his sunglasses
and blazer with the suede patches at the elbows,
without so much as a glance in my direction.
I know you're probably curious about who the poet is,
so I should tell you the clues I've left aren't
accurate, that I've disguised his identity,
that you shouldn't guess I bet it's him...
because you'll never guess correctly
and even if you do, I won't tell you that you have.
I wouldn't want to embarrass a stranger
who is, after all, probably a nice person,
who was probably just having a bad day when I met him,
who is probably growing a little tired of his fame--
which my husband and I perceive as enormous,
but how much fame can an American poet
really have, let's say, compared to a rock star
or film director of equal talent? Not that much,
and the famous poet knows it, knows that he's not
truly given his due. Knows that many
of these young poets tugging on his sleeve
are only pretending to have read all his books.
But he smiles anyway, tries to be helpful.
I mean, this poet has to have some redeeming qualities, right?
For instance, he writes a mean iambic.
Otherwise, what was I doing in his arms.


Anonymous submission.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Sex With A Famous Poet: A Literary Criticism

Oh my goodness, where do I even begin with this poem? Denise Duhamel's "Sex With A Famous Poet" is an absolute masterpiece that combines humor, wit, and a deep understanding of the complexities of relationships. This is a poem that has been praised by critics and readers alike, and it's not hard to see why. In this literary criticism, I will analyze the poem's structure, themes, and literary devices to demonstrate why "Sex With A Famous Poet" is such a remarkable work of poetry.

Structure

At first glance, "Sex With A Famous Poet" seems like a simple narrative poem, with the speaker recounting her sexual encounters with a famous poet. However, a closer look reveals that there is much more going on here. The poem is divided into six stanzas, with each stanza focusing on a different aspect of the speaker's relationship with the poet.

The first stanza sets the tone for the poem, with the speaker describing the poet's "sweat glands" and "bad breath." This is not the romanticized view of love and sex that we often see in literature. Instead, Duhamel presents a raw and unvarnished portrayal of physical intimacy.

The second stanza focuses on the poet's fame and the speaker's feelings of inadequacy. She describes how she "had to constantly remind [herself] / that [she] wasn't a groupie." This stanza highlights the power dynamic between the famous poet and the speaker.

The third stanza is where the poem takes a turn. The speaker describes how the poet would "write a poem about" her after they had sex, but would "never show it" to her. This creates a sense of distance between the two, as if they are not really connecting on a deeper level.

The fourth stanza is where the speaker begins to question the relationship. She wonders if the poet is using her for inspiration, or if he really cares about her. This stanza is where the poem starts to become more introspective and philosophical.

The fifth stanza is the climax of the poem, where the speaker confronts the poet about their relationship. She asks him if he loves her, and he responds with a poem. This poem is not about the speaker, but about a "woman in a red hat." This stanza is where the power dynamic between the two is flipped, with the speaker taking control of the situation.

Finally, the sixth stanza brings the poem to a close. The speaker describes how she tried to write a poem about the experience, but found that "it came out sounding / like a bad imitation of Sylvia Plath." This is a self-aware moment, where the speaker acknowledges the limitations of her own writing.

Themes

One of the central themes of "Sex With A Famous Poet" is power. The poet has power over the speaker because of his fame, and the speaker struggles to assert her own agency in the relationship. This is most evident in the second stanza, where the speaker describes feeling like a groupie. The power dynamic between the two is further explored in the third stanza, where the poet creates distance by writing a poem about the speaker but never showing it to her.

Another important theme is the limitations of language. The speaker struggles to express her feelings in words, and the poet tries to express his love through poetry but is ultimately unsuccessful. This theme is most evident in the sixth stanza, where the speaker tries to write a poem about the experience but finds that she cannot capture it accurately.

Finally, the poem explores the idea of authenticity. The speaker wonders if the poet really cares about her, or if he is just using her for inspiration. This theme is most evident in the fourth stanza, where the speaker questions the relationship and the poet's motives.

Literary Devices

Duhamel uses a variety of literary devices to make "Sex With A Famous Poet" a more complex and nuanced work of poetry. One of the most important devices is irony. The poem is full of ironic moments, such as the poet writing a poem about the speaker but never showing it to her, or the speaker trying to write a poem about the experience but finding that she cannot. These moments create a sense of distance between the poet and the speaker, and highlight the limitations of language.

Another important device is allusion. The speaker's reference to Sylvia Plath in the sixth stanza is an allusion to the limitations of confessional poetry. Plath, like the speaker, struggled to accurately capture her experiences in words. This allusion adds another layer of meaning to the poem and helps to contextualize the speaker's struggle.

Finally, Duhamel uses imagery to create a vivid and visceral portrayal of physical intimacy. The speaker describes the poet's "sweat glands" and "bad breath," which are not the romanticized images we often see in literature. This creates a sense of realism and rawness that is essential to the poem's overall impact.

Conclusion

"Sex With A Famous Poet" is a remarkable work of poetry that explores themes of power, language, and authenticity. Duhamel's use of structure, themes, and literary devices creates a complex and nuanced portrayal of a relationship that is both humorous and deeply moving. This is a poem that will stay with readers long after they have finished reading it, and it is a testament to Duhamel's skill as a poet.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Sex With A Famous Poet: A Poem That Explores the Complexities of Fame and Intimacy

Denise Duhamel's "Sex With A Famous Poet" is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that explores the complexities of fame and intimacy. The poem is a witty and humorous take on the idea of sleeping with a famous poet, but it also delves deeper into the emotional and psychological implications of such an encounter.

The poem begins with the speaker describing the famous poet's physical appearance, highlighting his "thick glasses" and "wild hair." The speaker is clearly attracted to the poet, but she is also aware of the power dynamic at play. The poet's fame and reputation make him a desirable partner, but they also create a sense of intimidation and pressure.

The poem then moves on to describe the sexual encounter itself, with the speaker recounting the various positions and acts that take place. The language is explicit and graphic, but it is also infused with humor and irony. The speaker is clearly enjoying herself, but she is also aware of the absurdity of the situation.

As the poem progresses, however, the tone shifts. The speaker begins to question the nature of fame and its impact on personal relationships. She wonders if the poet is truly interested in her as a person, or if he is simply using her for his own pleasure and ego. She also reflects on the ways in which fame can distort one's sense of self and create a sense of isolation and loneliness.

The poem ends with the speaker acknowledging the fleeting nature of the encounter and the impossibility of truly knowing another person. She is left with a sense of ambiguity and uncertainty, unsure of what the encounter meant and what it says about her own desires and motivations.

Overall, "Sex With A Famous Poet" is a complex and nuanced exploration of fame, desire, and intimacy. It challenges us to think critically about the ways in which fame can shape our relationships and our sense of self, and it invites us to reflect on our own desires and motivations. Through its witty and provocative language, the poem encourages us to embrace the messiness and ambiguity of human connection, and to recognize the beauty and complexity of our own desires and experiences.

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