In this passage, Margaret Atwood explores the transformative power of love through vivid imagery. She contrasts the starkness of the beach and its rocky fragments with the gentle flowing nature of waves, emphasizing a shift from hardness to softness. The language reflects a deep connection between the physical world and emotional experience, where elements like bone and liquid intertwine, demonstrating life’s resilience amid death. Love revitalizes language, much like it revitalizes the senses and perception.

Atwood captures a visceral connection between human experience and the natural world. The descriptions evoke tactile sensations, suggesting that physical interactions bring emotional fulfillment. The sky becomes intimate and immersive, creating a rich backdrop that can be tasted and felt. The idea that what touches you is what you touch beautifully illustrates the intertwined nature of experience and relationship, highlighting how love deepens one’s connection to both the world and others.