An explication of Mina Loy's poem "Lunar Baedeker".

When read top to bottom, Mina Loy's poem "Lunar Baedeker" may sound like a story of drugs, sex, and desperation. In reality, it is an encrypted biography of part of Loy's life, as well as symbolic of the cycles of life. Let's start with the title, shall we? "Lunar Baedeker," the word 'lunar' means moon. It can also mean relating to the moon, but more importantly it can mean measured by the moon's cycles. What …

…struggle and inner turmoil. To wax is to increase, grow or intensify, but it can also mean rage. Wane, on the other hand, means to decrease in size and diminish, but it can also be used to describe a loss of power or a fall from power. "waxes and wanes----" This is symbolic of Loy's struggle with her anger and pain after the loss of her husband, and in waning, she relents to her feelings.