Shadow's Reprieve Ep 14: Chemical Wedding Poetry Analysis

 Becoming "All-In" in one's personal life: Jung's Self archetype in poetry

Chemical Wedding Image-Created by Marilyn Glover with Canva Design

Today, I aired episode 14 of my 15-poem journey through my debut chapbook, Shadow's Reprieve. This week's poem, Chemical Wedding, navigates Carl Jung's Self archetype in tight-knit verse describing a young chemistry student's lab encounter. True to my style, the lyrics here utilize wordplay, expanding beyond a controlled environment and encouraging the reader to discover deeper meaning. Self-related lyrics speak to the total combination of the conscious and unconscious mind using chemically aligned terms to inspire personal pondering and reflection.

Here is the poem from Part 3 of my Jungian-themed poetry book, Shadow's Reprieve:

Chemical Wedding

A chemist’s stool is too low; he adjusts.

Laboratory neophyte.

Substance studies.

Atomic.

Molecular levels.

Investigates.

Blending, mixing,

Compounds.

Marrying elements, he considers,

Safety.

Compatibility.

Fundamental principles.

Quantitative ratios.

Recipe analogy.

Probing a question,

“Should I lend my hand.”

Student jitters; he hesitates,

Unsure of commitment.

Synthesis reaction–

Amalgamation.

Coalescence.

Integration.

Outcome: uncertain.

Evaluation:

Apothecary reads his notes.

Verbally,

Rehearsing

Potential ceremony,

Before official

Declaration.

A chemist stands up from his stool,

Lowers the seat

For the next student.

Marches a lab-long narrow aisle,

Pledging,

Earnest

Alchemical vows.

Behind the Lyrics

This poem takes me back to middle school chemistry class. Ah, yes, those classroom experiments: beakers, goggles, and Bunsen burners; I remember it all like it was yesterday.

It was the 8th grade. I was 13. Initially, I liked chemistry class until the teacher assigned groups for classroom experiments. I was paired with two girls I knew, not friends but friends of friends, so while we were acquainted, we really didn't care for one another. Tolerance was tested habitually. At its best, we faked smiles and half-hearted pleasantries; at its worst, backhanded comments and under-the-breath insults.

That was how it was in my peer group: working together on chemistry assignments, sitting side by side, was worse.

It was forced; none of us enjoyed it, but I sincerely tried, actually hoping the other girls might come around. One girl in particular was a problem: she had become very close friends with my best friend, who eventually became just another face I saw at school each day. This girl didn't like me for whatever reason, and the sentiment was shared by the other girl in the group.

Chemistry experiments were bullying opportunities for the girls. The pair would assume authority over tasks and team up against me, so the notion of us working together felt more like two against one. Mixing chemicals, note-taking, and "controls" felt like a twisted slap in my face. I always found it funny that we were learning chemistry, but these two couldn't find a way to include me without their teenage, clique-like nonsense.

I wasn't the arguing type; at 13, I was more reserved and soft-spoken. The girls took full advantage.

Of course, I am a different person now. If I were this version of myself back in middle school, I would have simply asked the hard question: What is your problem with me?

The poem, Chemical Wedding, is all about integration.

For the reader, I hope the verses inspire a mindful look at one's life, perhaps a check-in, as I like to call it, to examine how they might mix things up with thoughtful consideration.

Support the Journey

If you'd like to hear the audio version of Chemical Wedding, please check out my Substack poetry podcast.

If my words resonated or piqued your curiosity, you can grab your copy of Shadow's Reprieve, available now on Amazon (paperback & ebook) and all major Draft2Digital retailers.

Thanks to all my readers. Until next time, please take care of your inner world!