Baby-Breasts - “Adolescence-II”
The speaker in “Adolescence-II” observes, “the baby-breasts are alert.” The alertness of the young breast validates that the speaker’s puberty which will pilot her into womanhood ultimately.
Rasha and Agosta - “Agosta The winged Man and Rasha the Black Dove”
Dove writes, “He thought/of Rasha, so far from Madagascar.” Apparently, Rasha represents a black woman from Madagascar. Agosta’s description in the poem is partial: “Whereas Agosta the doorbell rang.”Also, Dove intentionally omits in-depth particulars about Agosta’s association with Schad. Based on the title, Agosta denotes mystery because he has wings which are impracticable for humans.
Primrose - “Evening Primrose”
The primrose epitomizes hybridity. Dove observes that the primrose is “neither rosy nor prim,/not cousin to the cowslip/nor the extravagant fuschsia.” The primrose is exceptional for it espouses both the prim and rose qualities; as a result, it is not distinctly comparable to the cowslip and fuchsia.
Fred - “Cozy Apologia”
Fred, the addressee of “Cozy Apologia”, is the speaker’s muse. The speaker confesses, “I could pick anything and think of you—/This lamp, the wind-still rain, the glossy blue.” The speaker associates all the things that she picks with Fred. Accordingly, Fred is a noteworthy figure in Dove’s life.
Postmodernism - “Cozy Apologia”
Dove distinguishes postmodernism when she contends, “This post-postmodern age is all business: compact disks/And faxes, a do-it-now-and-take-no-risks/Event. Today a hurricane is nudging up the coast,/Oddly male: Big Bad Floyd, who brings a host./Of daydreams: awkward reminiscences/Of teenage crushes on worthless boys/Whose only talent was to kiss you senseless./They all had sissy names—Marcel, Percy, Dewey.” Evidently, postmodernism is characterized by technology, hasty, risk-free resolutions, environmental concerns, queer genders, reminiscences, and intricate love.
