Analysis

• "Cozy Apologia - for Fred" - Dove has probably used the title ‘Cozy Apologia’ to defend her relationship because other people might view their relationship as ‘boring’ and ‘uneventful’ but to her their relationship is special and is worth protecting.

  Fred is Dove’s husband.
• "I could pick anything and think of you—" - Dove is using a first person viewpoint. This suggests that this is autobiographical. The word ‘anything’ suggests everything in her life has memories of being with

  her husband.
• "This lamp, the wind-still rain, the glossy blue My pen exudes, drying matte, upon the page." - Dove lists everyday things to emphasise her love for her partner. ‘The lamp’ could suggest he is the hope and

  happiness in her life. The ‘glossy blue’ ink could symbolise the inspiration he gives her on a daily basis.
• "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:"

  Dove has used a clichéd image of a knight in shining armour. This has a dreamy tone but is quite humorous. ‘Set me free’ could imply that Dove feels that her husband rescued her.
• "a do-it-now-and-take-no-risks" - This could symbolise that life gets

  too busy to stop and think about the love for your partner so Dove is

  appreciating this ‘stolen time’.
• "Oddly male: Big Bad Floyd," - This is ‘oddly male’ as hurricanes usually have female names. This reinforces her memories of the failed past relationships she has had.
• "worthless boys" - Dove has time to think about the ‘worthless boys’ she used to be in interested in.
• "Were thin as licorice and as chewy, Sweet with a dark and hollow center." - The simile ‘were as thin as licorice’ suggests that she wasted

  her time with them and that they had no substance to them because they are ‘hollow’ and empty.
• "Still, it's embarrassing, this happiness—" - Dove feels embarrassed by how happy she is because nothing exciting or eventful is happening in their life/relationship. Their love/relationship is simple.
• "fall short of the Divine." - The word ‘Divine’ emphasises that their relationship might not be viewed as heavenly and unique but Dove is happy with their everyday love.
• "Aerie, I'm perched in mine (Twin desks, computers, hardwood floors):" - This represents their busy and maybe separate lives together.
• "To keep me from melancholy (call it blues)," - Fred is the person who

  keeps Dove from ‘melancholy’. This suggests he is the only person who makes her happy.
• "I fill this stolen time with you." - The poem ends with Dove having an

  appreciation of this ‘stolen time’. It implies she is grateful to have time to sit and think about her relationship, how content she is with her life.