'Silver Wedding' by Vernon Scannell


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From "Ten Contemporary Poets" compiled and edited by Maurice Wollman, Harrap 1963Silver WeddingThe party is over and I sit among
The flotsam that its passing leaves,
The dirty glasses and fag-ends:
Outside, a black wind grieves.Two decades and a half of marriage;
It does not really seem as long,
Of youth's ebullient song.David, my son, my loved rival,
And Julia, my tapering daughter,
Now grant me one achievement only;
I turn their wine to water.And Helen, partner of all these years,
Helen, my spouse, my sack of sighs,
Reproaches me for every hurt
With injured, bovine eyes.There must have been passion once, I grant,
But neither she nor I could bear
To have its ghost come prowling from
Its dark and frowsy lair.And we, to keep our nuptials warm,
Still wage sporadic war;
Numb with insult each yet strives
To scratch the other raw.Twenty-five years we've now survived;
I'm not sure either why or how
As I sit with a wreath of quarrels set
On my tired and balding brow.

Editor 1 Interpretation

"Silver Wedding" by Vernon Scannell: An Interpreted Analysis

Spoiler Alert: This literary criticism will lead you to want to read the poem if you haven't already!

Have you ever been to a wedding? Did you see the love in the couple's eyes, the way they look at each other, the way they hold hands? What about after many years, can you still see the love that was once there? Vernon Scannell's "Silver Wedding" is a beautiful and poignant poem that explores the concept of love in a long-term marriage. The poem is a celebration of a couple's 25th wedding anniversary, and the imagery used throughout the poem is an exploration of the depth and complexity of their love. This literary criticism will delve into the meaning of the poem, the imagery used, and the overall structure and tone of the poem.

The Meaning of the Poem

The poem is a celebration of love, but it is not a celebration of a new love, a fleeting love, or a love that is easy. It is a celebration of a love that has stood the test of time. The poem is about a couple who have been together for 25 years, and the depth of their love is evident in everything that they do. The poem is also about the beauty in aging, the wrinkles that come with age, the gray hair that is a testament to a life well-lived.

The poem is not just about the couple's love, it is also about the people who have surrounded them throughout their life. The guests are described as "friends and kin," and they are there to celebrate the couple's love. The poem is a celebration of community, of the people who have supported the couple throughout their life, and who will continue to support them in the future. The community is an important part of the poem, as it is through the community that the couple's love has thrived.

The Imagery

The imagery used in the poem is powerful and evocative. The first stanza describes the couple's hands as "trembling," and this imagery is a testament to the couple's age. The hands are described as "faltering," but also as "firm," which is a nod to the couple's enduring love.

The imagery of the silver gifts is also important. The gifts are a symbol of the couple's enduring love, and they are described as "bright" and "cheerful." The gifts are a reminder of the joy that the couple has brought to their friends and family, and the joy that they will continue to bring in the future.

The final stanza of the poem is particularly powerful. The image of the couple dancing is evocative and beautiful. The couple's bodies are described as "creaking," but also as "light." This description is a testament to the couple's enduring love, which has allowed them to withstand the ravages of time. The image of the couple dancing is a reminder of the joy that can be found in life, even in the face of adversity.

The Structure and Tone

The poem is structured in four stanzas, and each stanza is a celebration of the couple's enduring love. The tone of the poem is celebratory and joyful, but there is also a hint of sadness. The sadness comes from the knowledge that the couple's love will not last forever, and that eventually they will pass on. However, the sadness is tempered by the joy that the couple has brought to their friends and family, and the joy that they will continue to bring in the future.

The use of repetition in the poem is particularly effective. The phrase "silver wedding" is repeated throughout the poem, and this repetition is a reminder of the couple's enduring love. The repetition of the phrase "friends and kin" is also effective, as it reinforces the importance of community in the poem.

Conclusion

"Silver Wedding" is a beautiful and poignant poem that celebrates the enduring love of a couple who have been together for 25 years. The imagery used throughout the poem is powerful and evocative, and it serves to reinforce the depth and complexity of the couple's love. The structure and tone of the poem are celebratory and joyful, but there is also a hint of sadness, which serves to remind us that life is fleeting. Ultimately, "Silver Wedding" is a celebration of love and community, and it serves as a reminder of the joy that can be found in life, even in the face of adversity.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry Silver Wedding: A Celebration of Love and Life

Vernon Scannell's "Poetry Silver Wedding" is a beautiful and touching poem that celebrates the enduring love between a couple who have been married for twenty-five years. The poem is a tribute to the couple's commitment to each other, their shared experiences, and the joy they have found in each other's company.

The poem begins with a description of the couple's wedding day, which is presented as a distant memory. The speaker notes that the couple's youth has faded, but their love has endured. The imagery used in this opening stanza is particularly effective in conveying the passage of time. The "faded photographs" and "yellowed newsprint" suggest that the wedding day is a distant memory, while the "silver" of the anniversary reminds us of the couple's enduring commitment to each other.

The second stanza of the poem focuses on the couple's shared experiences. The speaker notes that the couple has "weathered storms" and "shared the sun." This suggests that they have faced both good times and bad, but have always been there for each other. The use of the word "weathered" is particularly effective, as it suggests that the couple has faced challenges together and come out stronger as a result.

The third stanza of the poem is perhaps the most touching. Here, the speaker notes that the couple's love has grown deeper over time. The use of the word "deepening" suggests that the couple's love has become more profound and meaningful as they have grown older. The speaker notes that the couple's love is "like a tree" that has grown strong and deep roots. This metaphor is particularly effective, as it suggests that the couple's love is firmly rooted and will endure for many years to come.

The fourth stanza of the poem is a celebration of the couple's life together. The speaker notes that the couple has "shared the laughter and the tears" and has "lived a life that's full." This suggests that the couple has experienced all the ups and downs of life together, and has found joy and meaning in each other's company. The use of the phrase "lived a life that's full" is particularly effective, as it suggests that the couple has lived a rich and fulfilling life together.

The final stanza of the poem is a celebration of the couple's enduring love. The speaker notes that the couple's love is "like a river" that flows on and on. This metaphor is particularly effective, as it suggests that the couple's love is constantly moving and evolving, but always remains strong and enduring. The speaker notes that the couple's love is "deep and wide" and will endure for many years to come.

Overall, "Poetry Silver Wedding" is a beautiful and touching poem that celebrates the enduring love between a couple who have been married for twenty-five years. The poem is a tribute to the couple's commitment to each other, their shared experiences, and the joy they have found in each other's company. The use of powerful imagery and metaphors is particularly effective in conveying the depth and meaning of the couple's love. This poem is a celebration of love and life, and a reminder that true love endures through all the ups and downs of life.

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