Two Poems by Sharon Olds - Book Report/Review Example

Rogerian Argument of The Promise The perspective as depicted from the poem is that they are renewing a promise to kill each other with his partner. The perspective is illustrated with the two being intoxicated; one with alcohol and the night-blue juniper berry while the other smoking (Ballingrud). This he refers to as a slow death process taking on earth or part of soil. The perspective is also replicated in that they are lovers with various experiences leading to pass out moments that he describes as driving them back and forth the border of consciousness. Conscience is symbolic of being alive for a normal human with their love experiences leading to a drift in borders of consciences. The author affirms his argument that indeed, as they spend their time together, it is certainly a renewal of their promise to kill each other (Ballingrud). The perspective is also brought out in that their experiences seem to be getaways to escape from the reality of their fears. It is the fear of one day lying on a hospital bed for a year after a stroke probably as a separation when each goes their own way. This result in kind of loneliness as the author describes of his grandmother in her prime years (Ballingrud). The effect of alcohol and smoking has been proven as detrimental to personal health and indeed one of the causes of death. Both are known to cause complications in the body that can range from mild life threatening to eventual death. Some of the conditions that can result due to excessive consumption include emphysema, lung cancer, and erectile dysfunction, and high blood pressure, cirrhosis of the liver and high cholesterol. Renewing a promise for any two lovers is probably after a momentary break up or conflict between the two. This could also be a celebration of time spent together that could be regular or once in a while. The promise to kill each other could be described as more paranoid considering the benefits that come with being in a loving and caring relationship. The motive behind them seeming to be to hold to each other is more driven by fear than true affection for each other. True affection and love is likely to have the opposite impact or perspective than the one brought out by the author (Ballingrud). Typically, a relationship would have the partners professing a better future for each other and inculcating a sense of security. Rather than see it as one sided where one party seems to have the upper hand in determining, the destiny of the other relationship can have mutual benefits on both parties. The author depicts a picture towards the end of a strong and tight relationship that is caring and with the interest of the other at heart (Ballingrud). The author describes situations that would bring him out as the protector in the relationship (Ballingrud). If the partner were in the jaws of a beast, he would attack it and would go to any lengths to set the partners soul free even if it meant harming or injuring the partner for the sake of their freedom. This symbolic of a relationship is characterized by true affection and care going by the authors vow or promise (Ballingrud). According to research conducted on the impact of strong relationships on the parties, several advantages were cited as resulting from the same. Some of the benefits cited were increased levels of happiness, improved health conditions and long lives. On the other hand, lesser social connection has been proven to have contrary impact on the parties including high stress levels, decline in health and even premature death. In addition, it has been proven that social connections do have additional benefits by improving body immune systems and reducing stress levels that could have adverse impacts on the heart. Caring behaviors have been found to be directly related to a reduction in stress levels on the parties. In matters health, those who are in highly satisfying marriages have been found to have lesser likelihood of contracting heart diseases and conditions than those less satisfying ones. The risk of dementia is also notably lesser among those in satisfying relationships. The author captures the emotional side of the relationship as he describes the times shared between the two (Ballingrud). As the two of them have so often found themselves closer to each other, renewing of the promise is also about the revisiting and rekindling deep intimate times that the two have shared in the past. This includes what is described as the close ties between the two of them in bed, fitted naked closely along each other, half passed out after love, and drifting back and forth across the border of consciousness with their bodies buoyant and clasped. The emotional connection between the two is brought out strongly with the deep ties that as the author describes it, wherever they are, they are also in their beds (Ballingrud). Deep and close connection and relationships have been found to have health benefits on the parties involved. However, the author paints a vision of a dull future with deep sense of uncertainty and paranoia (Ballingrud). This is captured where he reveals the deep fear in the partner and the consequences of a probable break up or separation. The eventual consequence is prediction of health complications that would translate to many days and nights in hospital as well as lonely times and moments comparable to a grandmother in her prime years. The renewal of the promise does not seem to capture the imagination and vision of the truly fulfilling relationship that the two would wish to have. Typically the author’s perspective of killing each other would be replaced by the promise of better health as a result of satisfying relationship, less stressful times, increased joy and happiness as well as long life. The author indicates that the partner does not seem to know or understand him if the partner does not know he is going to kill him (Ballingrud). This blurs the whole vision of their relationship and the whole picture of what a typical relationship could represent. The romance in the relationship is captured severally with the first description of their setting where the two are taking drinks and holding each other on the bare table. The atmosphere or the environment is characterized by dim room around them, ivory globes, pink curtains and bound at the waist, and outside a weightless bright lifted-up summer twilight. This is an indication of intentional selection of the specific location to reflect the mood and the theme of renewing the promise. The author depicts a mood of uneasiness between the two as they are having their time together (Ballingrud). As they hold their hands, one party is described as seemingly tightening their hand on the table exposing deep fear about the other partner withdrawing. This could be an indication of the superficiality of the romance and indeed the whole relationship. The author openly describes the fear within the partner, which is quite evident in this occasion (Ballingrud). Renewing of the promise to kill each other as the author describes can be illustrated by the incidents that clearly indicate uneasiness, tension, and uncertain nature of their relationship. The aspect of insecurity has been clearly depicted in this relationship. An illustration of the same is where the author describes the partner as tightening their hand over the table; the reason for the same being out of fear that that the author will chicken out (Ballingrud). This reveals deep insecurities on one party that leads to such action. The real source of insecurity is the deep lying fear of probable break up or separation of which may lead to health complications and long moments of loneliness. This can also be illustrated through the excessive indulgence of alcohol and smoking, where the author admits is not healthy for them. The whole aspect of indulging and superficial romance could be a cover up to the deep insecurities cited. Renewing of their promise killing each other could be a way of admitting or surrendering to their insecurities that have overshadowed their lives and seemingly continue to rule over them. The author paints a picture of relationship that is at a crossroad (Ballingrud). While there is a general attempt to keep hold and maintain the bond between each other, the author comes to a realization of the deep lying fears and insecurities that seems to have been swept under the carpet all along. The theme renewing the promise therefore captures both sides of the equation with one side keen to hold on the superficial while the other side comes to terms with a realization of the true picture and the consequences. Works Cited Ballingrud, Nathan. Two poems by Sharon Olds. Nathan Ballingrud, September 12, 2011. Web. November 05, 2014. < http://nathanballingrud.wordpress.com /2011/09/12/two-poems-by-sharon-olds/> The health benefits of strong relationships. Harvard Womens Health Watch, December 2010. Web. November 05, 2014 < http://www.health.harvard.edu/newsletters/Harvard_Womens_Health_Watch/ 2010/December/the-health-benefits-of-strong-relationships> Read More