For the Record-Adrienne Rich

The first time that I read this poem, I interpreted it as being about an arguement. An arguement either between two individuals (most likely a couple) or an internal conflict. It's kind of far-fetched, but I decided to run with it.

Stanza 1:
The stars, clouds, and stones of fire being external issues that have no bearing on this argument whatsoever. The raindrops signifying that the relationship, starts to give way under pressure.

Stanza 2:
Occasionally when people argue, they try to bring up past conflicts, which only adds to the deteriorating relationship. It can, in a sense, "poison" the relationship, over time. And even, though the arguement may have subsided, the words that were exchanged can stay in one's mind.

Stanza 3:
While neither party neccessarily intended to add tension to an arguement, bringing up the past can create a lost or "roaming" feeling in a relationship. The two people themselves, are not the problem. Its what they bring out in each other that can be the problem, potentially.

Stanza 4:
Two people can try to protect a relationship to the ends of the earth and back, but some situations are inevitable. Even the thickest of walls can be comprimised.

Stanza 5:
These arguements can leave us with bruised egos, defeated self-pride, and ultimately lost. While no one ever asks for these situations to happen, sometimes they just do. Sometimes they can be fixed and sometimes they can't.

Stanza 6:
While its important to remember that these arguements are inevitable, its also important to remember that both said things that they probably didn't mean and made the other person feel a way they didn't intend to make them feel. You can't simply find the other person at fault. You must also realize that you are at fault too, but you're also human.

I think that this poem is relevent, if my interpretation is plausible. Arguements are an innevitable part of life and the key to getting through them is learning to pick your battles, but not only that, but learning to when to walk away or try harder.