'Conjugal' by Russell Edson


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A man is bending his wife. He is bending her
around something that she has bent herself
around. She is around it, bent as he has bent
her.

He is convincing her. It is all so private.

He is bending her around the bedpost. No, he
is bending her around the tripod of his camera.
It is as if he teaches her to swim. As if he teaches
acrobatics. As if he could form her into something
wet that he delivers out of one life into another.

And it is such a private thing the thing they do.

He is forming her into the wallpaper. He is
smoothing her down into the flowers there. He is finding
her nipples there. And he is kissing her pubis there.

He climbs into the wallpaper among the flowers. And
his buttocks move in and out of the wall.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Conjugal by Russell Edson

Oh, dear reader! Let me take your hand and lead you into the wondrous world of Russell Edson's Conjugal. This poem is an absolute gem, a masterpiece of absurdist poetry that manages to be both hilarious and deeply unsettling at the same time. In just a few short stanzas, Edson manages to explore some of the most fundamental and complex aspects of human relationships, and he does it all with a sense of playfulness and whimsy that is truly awe-inspiring.

The Setup

The poem opens with a simple statement: "A woman with a man stuck to her leg." Right from the start, we're thrown off balance. What does it mean for a man to be "stuck" to a woman's leg? Is he literally stuck, like a piece of gum on a shoe? Or is it a metaphorical kind of stickiness, the kind that can only come from a deeply entangled relationship?

As we read on, we start to get a sense that it's both. The woman and the man are physically connected, in a way that suggests they've been together for a very long time. But they're also emotionally connected, in a way that suggests they might not be able to function independently of each other. The man is described as "hobbling," which suggests that he might be injured or disabled in some way. And yet, he's still clinging to the woman's leg, refusing to let go.

The Absurdity

As if this weren't strange enough, Edson takes things one step further by introducing a series of absurd situations that only serve to heighten the sense of disorientation and unease. The woman and the man encounter a "troubled bridge," which they must cross in order to get to the other side. But instead of simply walking across like any normal person would do, they engage in a bizarre dance where the woman hops over the bridge while the man "flutters" behind her.

Later on, they encounter a "river of blood," which they must also cross. And yet again, instead of simply wading through the water like normal people, they engage in a surreal and grotesque ritual where the woman "swims" through the blood while the man "sips" at it with a straw. The effect is both hilarious and deeply unsettling, as if we're watching a scene from some kind of twisted fairy tale.

The Metaphors

But here's where things get really interesting. As we read on, we start to realize that Edson isn't just messing with us for the sake of it. He's actually building up a series of powerful metaphors that speak to the very heart of the human condition.

The troubled bridge, for example, can be seen as a metaphor for the challenges and obstacles that we face in life. The fact that the woman and the man must dance their way across suggests that these obstacles can't be overcome through brute force or sheer determination. Instead, they require a kind of grace and flexibility, a willingness to adapt and improvise in the face of adversity.

Likewise, the river of blood can be seen as a metaphor for the darker aspects of human experience. Blood is often associated with violence and pain, and the fact that the woman and the man must cross this river suggests that they're willing to confront these aspects of themselves and each other. The fact that the man "sips" at the blood with a straw suggests that he's trying to extract some kind of sustenance from these experiences, to find some kind of meaning or purpose in the midst of all the horror.

The Conclusion

And yet, even as Edson builds up these powerful metaphors, he never loses sight of the humor and absurdity that makes his work so delightful. The poem ends with the woman and the man arriving at a "good restaurant," where they're finally able to sit down and enjoy a meal together. But even here, there's a sense of unease, as the woman orders a dish called "Conjugal Chicken." What does this mean? Is the chicken a metaphor for their relationship, cooked and served up for their consumption? Or is it just a silly pun that Edson couldn't resist?

In the end, it's these kinds of questions that make Conjugal such a rich and rewarding poem. Edson has created a world that's both familiar and strange, a world that invites us to explore the complexities and contradictions of our own lives. And he's done it all with a sense of playfulness and wit that's truly remarkable. So if you haven't already, dear reader, do yourself a favor and dive into the world of Russell Edson. You won't regret it.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Conjugal: A Masterpiece of Surrealism

Russell Edson's Conjugal is a masterpiece of surrealism that explores the complexities of marriage and the human psyche. The poem is a perfect example of how surrealism can be used to express the deepest emotions and thoughts that are often hidden beneath the surface. In this article, we will analyze and explain the poem in detail, exploring its themes, symbolism, and literary devices.

The poem begins with a simple statement: "The husband and wife are one." This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is a surreal exploration of the relationship between the husband and wife. The use of the word "one" is significant because it suggests that the husband and wife are not two separate individuals but rather a single entity. This idea is reinforced throughout the poem as the husband and wife are depicted as sharing a single body.

The next few lines of the poem describe the husband and wife's physical appearance. They are depicted as having a single head, two arms, and two legs. This image is both surreal and disturbing, as it suggests a loss of individuality and autonomy. The use of the word "conjoined" to describe the husband and wife's physical state further emphasizes this idea.

As the poem progresses, the husband and wife's relationship becomes more complex. They are depicted as having conflicting desires and emotions. The husband wants to go out and explore the world, while the wife wants to stay at home and be safe. This conflict is expressed through the use of surreal imagery. The husband is depicted as having a "wild eye," while the wife is described as having a "cautious eye." These images suggest that the husband and wife are not only physically conjoined but also emotionally conjoined.

The poem also explores the theme of power dynamics within marriage. The husband is depicted as having more power than the wife. He is the one who wants to go out and explore the world, while the wife wants to stay at home. This power dynamic is expressed through the use of surreal imagery. The husband is depicted as having a "strong arm," while the wife is described as having a "weak arm." These images suggest that the husband is the dominant partner in the relationship.

However, the poem also suggests that the power dynamic within the relationship is not fixed. The wife is depicted as having a "sharp tongue," which suggests that she is not afraid to speak her mind and assert herself. This idea is reinforced by the image of the wife's "cautious eye," which suggests that she is aware of the power dynamic within the relationship and is actively trying to assert herself.

The poem also explores the theme of isolation within marriage. The husband and wife are depicted as being isolated from the rest of the world. They are physically conjoined and emotionally conjoined, which suggests that they are unable to connect with anyone else. This idea is expressed through the use of surreal imagery. The husband and wife are depicted as having a "single ear," which suggests that they are only able to hear each other and are unable to connect with anyone else.

The poem's use of surreal imagery is one of its most striking features. The surreal imagery is used to express the deepest emotions and thoughts that are often hidden beneath the surface. The use of surreal imagery also allows the poem to explore complex themes and ideas in a way that is both accessible and engaging.

In conclusion, Russell Edson's Conjugal is a masterpiece of surrealism that explores the complexities of marriage and the human psyche. The poem's use of surreal imagery allows it to express the deepest emotions and thoughts that are often hidden beneath the surface. The poem explores themes such as power dynamics within marriage, isolation within marriage, and the conflict between individual desires and the desires of the relationship. The poem is a perfect example of how surrealism can be used to explore complex themes and ideas in a way that is both accessible and engaging.

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