Love Song for Alex, 1979

Walker’s sonnet, “Love Song for Alex, 1979,” observes her relationship after 36 years have already passed. The beginning of the sonnet looks back fondly on their youth together, mentions the major landmarks of their relationship, and gives the reader a feel for Walker’s genuine affection. After the sonnet’s volta at Line 10, Walker looks ahead and predicts what the future will be like for her and Alex. Given that her husband died a year after she supposedly penned this poem, it makes sense that the poem’s latter half incorporates spirituality.

The first line is almost whimsical with its affectionate nickname and the reference that might suggest Alex changed her plans when they first met (monkey-wrench man). She calls him the love of her life, through her youth and her old age, and confirms that she only loves him. Lines 1-3 set up the relationship for the reader, revealing how Walker feels about Alex and her sustained commitment to him (and only him) after a substantial period. “Youth and age” emphasize the longevity of the relationship, which she reemphasizes in Line 5: “Now grown to years advancing through the dozens.