Cozy Apologia by Rita Dove
Cozy Apologia
I could pick anything and think of you—
This lamp, the wind-still rain, the glossy blue
My pen exudes, drying matte, upon the page.
I could choose any hero, any cause or age
And, sure as shooting arrows to the heart,
Astride a dappled mare, legs braced as far apart
As standing in silver stirrups will allow—
There you'll be, with furrowed brow
And chain mail glinting, to set me free:
One eye smiling, the other firm upon the enemy.
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;
Were thin as licorice and as chewy,
Sweet with a dark and hollow center. Floyd's
Cussing up a storm. You're bunkered in your
Aerie, I'm perched in mine
(Twin desks, computers, hardwood floors):
We're content, but fall short of the Divine.
Still, it's embarrassing, this happiness—
Who's satisfied simply with what's good for us,
When has the ordinary ever been news?
And yet, because nothing else will do
To keep me from melancholy (call it blues),
I fill this stolen time with you.
Poet Introduction: Rita Dove
Rita Dove (b. 1952) is an American poet, essayist, and educator who served as the U.S. Poet Laureate from 1993 to 1995. Her poetry blends personal experience with historical and cultural reflection. 'Cozy Apologia' celebrates intimate, domestic love and challenges the idea that only dramatic or heroic events are worthy of poetic attention.
Summary
'Cozy Apologia' is a reflective poem in which the speaker cherishes her domestic life and romantic love. Using a hurricane as a backdrop, the speaker contrasts past youthful crushes with her current, stable, and meaningful relationship. The poem highlights the warmth, protection, and quiet joy of shared everyday life — a ‘cozy’ intimacy that is ordinary yet profoundly satisfying.
Form and Structure
Written in free verse with long, flowing lines to mimic the conversational tone.
From line 15, the disruption of the rhyme scheme parallels Dove’s wandering mind, becoming awkward as uncomfortable memories emerge.
The iambic tetrameter in the final line reinforces Dove’s comfort in her relationship. The enjambment creates a natural rhythm, reflecting thought and memory. The hurricane imagery contrasts external chaos with internal security, emphasising the calm of domestic love.
Themes
Love and Domesticity – Celebrates ordinary, enduring love rather than dramatic passion.
Memory and Youth – Nostalgia for past crushes highlights the value of the present relationship.
Safety and Comfort – Love provides emotional refuge, like a shelter during the storm.
Ordinary Happiness – The poem elevates everyday life to poetic significance.
GCSE-Style Question
How does Rita Dove present the warmth and security of love in' Cozy Apologia'? Support your answer with evidence from the text. (8 marks)
Readers can attempt the above question and email the response to info@champslearning.co.uk
The responses would be evaluated and returned.
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