HELP WITH This POEM?

Question

I am frustrated because I don't understand what this poem means. THE LAST LINE MAKES NO SENSE.

“The Sleep of Adam”-John Hejduk

While Eve waited

Inside of Adam

She was his

Structure

Her volume

Filled him

His skin hung

On Eve’s form

When God

Released her

From Adam

Death rushed in

Preventing collapse

I could not understand what this poem is really trying to say? Please Help

Answer 1

I think it could be referring to the fact that Eve was made from a rib of Adam and your ribs support you in standing and stuff. You're ribs also surround your heart and lungs, and keep your skin on (kinda). Just a thought.

Hope this helps!
Good luck.

Answer 2

Please understand that this is my interpretation of the poem, others may have a different interpretation.

To even start to understand this poem, you must realize that it is talking about adam and eve from the Christian myth of the birth of eve from the rib of adam, and the eventual being removed from the garden of eden. While eve (women) was part of man (Adam) she provided him with substance. When Eve (women) became a separate entity, death became the substance of man.

This may allude to the idea that the birth of eve eventually lead to the fall of man (mankind becomes mortal)..

As it is now, the only thing certain about man is that he will die. Death is at the core of every person.

Answer 3

I think the easiest way to explain this is that Adam was immortal when Eve was a part of him but one she became a separate person, he was no longer immortal and from that point on death became a fact of life.