Poetry Precis #2 "Fight"

 Laurel Blossom uses emphasis and repetition to convey a conflicting, tension-filled tone that expresses how although opposites can attract, not always does that type of relationship work out. The speaker starts off strongly by telling the reader “That this is the difference between me and you,” making it clear to understand that these lovers have many differences and conflicts in their relationship, and goes on to list these differences in the following lines. She is confronting her lover with the blatant truth that they are so immensely different from each other that they cannot possibly continue their relationship. She goes on to repeat their differences in weather, hobbies and clothing, like the “red flannel shirt,” and “you like to wear wool,” emphasizing that these crucial parts of each of their personalities clash with one another. When in a relationship, although it is said that opposites attract, the two people need to have a common ground on certain areas for them to have a connection. These seemingly minute details of each others’ lives and behaviors actually have a stronger effect when living with one another or spending their lives together. The speaker puts emphasis on “Florida,” which is possibly the setting to the poem. This couple lives in the beautiful sunny Florida, yet her significant other wears wool shirts, works in the garden, and packs umbrellas. This gives a glimpse into her lover's personality, one who is “cold,” and emotionally disconnected, one who is always preparing for a “storm,” and enjoys boring activities. This draws the sharp contrast between the couple, and the emphasis on “Florida” brings it out even more. In the final stanza the speaker says that her lover doesn’t “seem to mind that we disagree,” and finishes off with the final blow, by repeating the line, “that is the difference between you and me.” The final fact is that the main difference between the lovers is that the speaker does not like to be so different than her partner. In a relationship with polar opposites, the two people could have different likes and dislikes, but at the end of the day if they are just so completely unalike, they will not end up being compatible. Relationships only work when one person feeds off of another and they influence each other in a positive way, but if their differences are getting in the way of connecting to one another, the relationship will eventually fade. This lesson is conveyed through Blossoms’ use of repetition and emphasis, which strengthened the poem's message that opposites that attract won't always have that magnetic field holding them together.