'Two Songs' by Adrienne Rich

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1.
Sex, as they harshly call it,
I fell into this morning
at ten o'clock, a drizzling hour
of traffic and wet newspapers.
I thought of him who yesterday
clearly didn't
turn me to a hot field
ready for plowing,and longing for that young man
pierced me to the roots
bathing every vein, etc.
All day he appears to me
touchingly desirable,
a prize one could wreck one's peace for.
I'd call it love if love
didn't take so many years
but lust too is a jewel
a sweet flower and what
pure happiness to know
all our high-toned questions
breed in a lively animal.2.
That "old last act"!
And yet sometimes
all seems post coitum triste
and I a mere bystander.
Somebody else is going off,
getting shot to the moon.
Or a moon-race!
Split seconds after
my opposite number lands
I make it--
we lie fainting together
at a crater-edge
heavy as mercury in our moonsuits
till he speaks--
in a different language
yet one I've picked upthrough cultural exchanges...
we murmur the first moonwords:

Editor 1 Interpretation

Two Songs: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation

By Adrienne Rich

Two Songs is a collection of two poems written by Adrienne Rich. The poems are titled "From an Old House in America" and "The Eye of the Storm." They were written during a time of turmoil and change in America, and the themes of the poems reflect this. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will examine the themes, imagery, and symbolism present in the poems, as well as the overall impact of the poetry on the reader.

From an Old House in America

The first poem in the collection, "From an Old House in America," is a reflection on the history of America and the struggles of those who have come before us. The poem begins with the speaker describing the old house in which they reside, and the memories that it holds.

The theme of memory is present throughout the poem, as the speaker contemplates the lives of those who lived in the house before them. The speaker reflects on the struggles of the past, including slavery and war, and how they have impacted the present. The poem is a reminder that our present is shaped by our past, and that we must acknowledge and learn from the struggles of those who came before us.

The imagery in the poem is vivid and powerful. The speaker describes the house as "weathered and vast," and the trees outside as "gnarled and ancient." These descriptions create a sense of history and timelessness, as if the house and the trees have been there for centuries. The use of imagery is effective in conveying the theme of memory, as it creates a sense of the past being present in the present.

The symbolism in the poem is also significant. The house is described as having "a hundred doors," which can be interpreted as a metaphor for the many paths that our lives can take. The speaker reflects on the choices that they have made in their life, and the doors that they have opened and closed. This symbolism emphasizes the importance of choice and the impact that it can have on our lives.

Overall, "From an Old House in America" is a powerful reflection on the history of America and the importance of acknowledging and learning from the struggles of the past. The poem is a reminder that our present is shaped by our past, and that we must strive to make choices that will create a better future.

The Eye of the Storm

The second poem in the collection, "The Eye of the Storm," is a reflection on the chaos and turmoil of the present. The poem begins with the speaker describing a storm, and the chaos that it brings.

The theme of chaos is present throughout the poem, as the speaker reflects on the violence and unrest of the world. The poem is a plea for peace, and an acknowledgment of the pain and suffering that is caused by violence.

The imagery in the poem is stunning. The storm is described as "wild and violent," and the wind as "howling and fierce." These descriptions create a sense of chaos and powerlessness, as if the speaker is at the mercy of the storm. The use of imagery is effective in conveying the theme of chaos, as it creates a sense of the world being out of control.

The symbolism in the poem is also significant. The storm is a metaphor for the violence and unrest of the world, and the eye of the storm represents a moment of calm in the midst of chaos. The speaker reflects on the importance of finding moments of peace in the midst of turmoil, and the impact that it can have on our lives.

Overall, "The Eye of the Storm" is a powerful reflection on the chaos and turmoil of the present. The poem is a plea for peace, and an acknowledgment of the pain and suffering that is caused by violence. The use of imagery and symbolism is effective in conveying the theme of chaos, and the overall impact of the poem is both striking and thought-provoking.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Two Songs is a powerful collection of poetry that reflects on the history and present of America. The themes of memory and chaos are present throughout the poems, and the use of imagery and symbolism is effective in conveying these themes. The overall impact of the poetry is striking and thought-provoking, and it is a reminder of the power of language to convey meaning and evoke emotion.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Adrienne Rich's "Two Songs" is a classic poem that explores the themes of love, loss, and the passage of time. The poem is divided into two parts, each with its own distinct tone and message. In this analysis, we will examine the structure, language, and themes of "Two Songs" and explore how Rich uses poetic devices to convey her message.

The first part of the poem, "I. The Floating Poem, Unnumbered," is a reflection on the fleeting nature of love and the inevitability of loss. The poem opens with the image of a "floating poem," a metaphor for the transience of love. The poem is "unnumbered," suggesting that it is one of many such poems that have come before and will come after. This image sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is a meditation on the impermanence of love.

Rich uses a variety of poetic devices to convey this message. The poem is written in free verse, with no set rhyme or meter. This gives the poem a sense of fluidity and movement, mirroring the ebb and flow of love. The poem is also full of sensory imagery, with references to the "scent of the sea" and the "sound of the waves." These images create a vivid picture of the natural world, which serves as a backdrop for the speaker's reflections on love.

The second part of the poem, "II. The Love Poem," is a more traditional love poem, with a focus on the beauty and intensity of love. The poem opens with the lines "We have come to the edge of the sea, / to the edge of the continent." This image of standing on the edge of the world creates a sense of awe and wonder, as if the speaker is on the brink of something profound.

The language in this section of the poem is more formal and structured than in the first part. The poem is written in quatrains, with a consistent rhyme scheme (ABCB). This gives the poem a sense of stability and order, in contrast to the fluidity of the first part. The language is also more elevated, with references to "the sun's fire" and "the moon's white madness." These images create a sense of grandeur and intensity, as if the speaker is trying to capture the full scope of their love.

Despite the differences in tone and structure, both parts of the poem share a common theme: the power of love to transcend time and space. In the first part, the speaker reflects on the transience of love, but also acknowledges its enduring power. The poem ends with the lines "Love, we will go wherever you lead us, / over the edge, into the water, into the fire." These lines suggest that love is a force that can take us beyond the limits of our own mortality, into the realm of the eternal.

In the second part of the poem, the speaker celebrates the intensity of their love, but also acknowledges its fragility. The poem ends with the lines "We have come to the edge of the sea, / to the edge of the continent, / waiting for something to give." These lines suggest that love is a delicate balance between passion and vulnerability, and that it is always on the brink of being lost.

Overall, "Two Songs" is a powerful meditation on the nature of love and the passage of time. Rich uses a variety of poetic devices to convey her message, from free verse to structured quatrains, from sensory imagery to elevated language. The poem is a testament to the enduring power of love, even in the face of loss and mortality. As the speaker says, "Love, we will go wherever you lead us, / over the edge, into the water, into the fire."

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