“Safe Sex” by Donald Hall is about relationships. While the speaker seems to hail a specific type of distant disconnection between a "he and a she" (1) in question as the most effective type of relationship, it is implied that this relationship is superficial and lacking in one of the key ingredients of love : passion. .Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay Donald Hall was born in Hamden, Connecticut, to two parents who fostered his love and fascination with poetry and prose. Having published his first poem at 16, Hall demonstrated a solid grasp of poetic qualities from a young age. With alma maters such as Harvard, Oxford, and Stanford, Hall worked alongside fellow poets Adrienne Rich, Robert Bly, Frank O'Hara, and John Ashbery during his time there and surrounded himself with the rich literary culture of such prestigious institutions. He eventually married the poet Jane Kenyon, who died of leukemia in 1994. Hall moved on, and with his style of building surrealism with simple language and structure into his works, he earned and continues to earn various accolades, the most notable of which was his nomination as the 14th U.S. Poet Laureate in 2006. (Poetry Foundation) In “Safe Sex,” Hall embodies the character of a scorned lover, or perhaps just a man who has learned from experiencing heartbreak. This poem is aimed at everyone, especially those who consider a romantic relationship to be stress-free and drama-free. Just as this poem has no obvious references to when or where it takes place, its themes – love and death – are universal and applicable to many people. Taking on a mystical warning tone, reminiscent of an omniscient narrator, Hall presents the idea of ​​how passion is a double-edged sword in relationships. While it brings excitement to the partners involved, it paves the way for darker times to come. “Safe Sex” begins by listing all the possibilities that could prevent the development of affection and attachment between a “he and she.” If they are strangers, if there is no romance, if she becomes ignorant and unaware, if sex is their only desire, or if their relationship is born with purposes of punishment against others, they would be safe from conflict and heartbreak. There would be no arguments, arguments and rash decisions ("Safe Sex"). Hall's choice of words in this poem allows for a better expression of the poem's message. The title itself, “Safe Sex,” contrasts with the body of the poem due to seemingly different subject matter. However, since the term “safe sex” is commonly used to describe methods of protection against pregnancy and sexual diseases, the same concepts of protection and differences between relationships and sex can be found. This is echoed in Hall's descriptions of how heartbreak and the frenzied passion that follows can be avoided. Likewise, Hall's illustration of the "families of law and steel" (5) serves as a metaphor for arrogance and unshakable ignorance, thus introducing references to tales such as Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, in which the two lovers ended up dead like the last line of this poem. The personification in “trembling days” (8) also serves as a metaphor, forming an image of days filled with caution, sadness, and perhaps even apprehension towards someone else. Next, the alliteration of the “t” sounds in “vomiting at midnight” (8) contributes to the delicate pronunciation of spit that echoes the description of vomiting at midnight. This can also be interpreted as implying pregnancy, thus giving a nod to the poem's title. As far as imagery goes, this poem is rich in imagery.