How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Section.Page)
Quote #16
His memories opened the shutters of mimosa/like the lilies that widened in her pond at night/secretly, like angels, in faith that was hers. (LXI.iii.309)
Major Plunkett heals slowly from a variety of things: the loss of a son, the wounds inflicted by war, and the loss of his wife, Maud. In some sense, his healing comes about by perceiving things the way that Maud perhaps did. Note that Walcott suddenly uses floral images to describe the memories of a military man—it's clear that our character is reflecting on his life and looking more closely at life with his wife than he ever did before this.