Final answer:
In the poem 'Divorce,' a metaphor related to taste is used to convey the distance between two people whose love turned from 'sweet' to 'sour.' This reflects the deterioration of their relationship from its happy beginnings to a bitter state. Metaphors of journeys and combat are also common in literature to depict the dynamics of love.
Step-by-step explanation:
The poem 'Divorce' seemingly employs a metaphor related to taste to convey the distance between two people who were once in love. This metaphor suggests that their love, which started out 'sweet', has turned 'sour'. Such imagery evokes the transition from the joy and passion of early love, similar to the sweetness of sugar, to a relationship that has become bitter and unpalatable, akin to the unexpected taste of salt when more sweetness was anticipated.
Moreover, in literature, love is often metaphorically described through various lenses. Love can be characterized as a journey, giving rise to questions about the path a couple will take in their relationship, or as combat, reflecting the intensity and conflicts that can arise. The notion that the couple vowed to be together 'in life's last years' yet are now facing a 'wide... gulf between' indicates a metaphorical use of physical distance to represent the emotional rift that has developed over time. This is a common literary device used to help readers understand the complexities and evolution of relationships.