Love Song for Alex, 1979

The ropes and yarn from Line 13 symbolize memories and indicate that Walker and Alex will remain together even after the end of their physical lives. The memories will “tangle” them together—a lasting connection. She foreshadows this entanglement when she describes herself and Alex “creeping through the seaweed” (Line 12), another tangling element. This connection beyond death is interesting, as Walker’s husband died a year after the date in the poem’s title.

While Walker doesn’t outright reference physical intimacy, she uses figurative language to allude to it. Line 6 uses “honeyed kiss” and “lips of wine and fire” that “fade blissfully” in the next line. These lines show that the couple had pleasant moments of intimacy before these moments faded as they aged. Walker shows the reality of a long-term relationship here, but she considers it fondly.