Poetry Explication: “The Tally Stick” By Jarold Ramsey.

The events named particular to the couple’s relationship are their wedding, the births of their children, the deaths of their parents, and the loss of their friends. The events named that do not encompass the couple’s relationship are random significant events in history, “the Year the World Went Wrong” (l. 16), and “the days the Great Men fell” (l. 17). “The lengthening runes of our lives run through it all” (l. 19). This would have to indicate that although those world events were important events in history and the world, nothing could have compared to the events directly associated with their relationship. Events associated with their relation occupied the place of importance to them, everything else just fade into the background.

The casualties of these events had worn through their relationship. “See, our tally stick is whittled nearly end to end; / delicate as scrimshaw, it would not bear you up” (l. 20-21). Although the stick the stick has been reduced and eliminated gradually as time came and went, the couple still believes that their experiences have only sustained life rather than weakened it. “Regrets have polished it, hand over hand” (l. 22). Tracing back through their relationship as a couple, they realize regret, but it is just factored in with the other mishaps in their relationship. Their regret is well acknowledged but not as a distinct fault in their relationship. Everything that has built their relationship is seen as a benefit to their well being, and a factor for what has kept them together long enough to experience this moment of reminiscence. The line, “And in one another’s blameless eyes go blind” (l. 28), means they have stopped blaming each other, and do not regret the marks in their past or that this time of feeling has passed.

“The Tally Stick” depicts love as a long term relationship and describes the ups and downs in a true practical sense.  It makes almost no attempts to describe the couple’s love as being idealistic.  Instead it describes love in the everyday context.  It talks about the birth of children which for many is supposed to be a symbol of their love and commitment to each other.  However, I believe this feeling of love and commitment dwindled to everyday companionship as they counted tallies.