'The River-Merchant's Wife: A Letter' by Ezra Pound
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While my hair was still cut straight across my forehead
Played I about the front gate, pulling flowers.
You came by on bamboo stilts, playing horse,
You walked about my seat, playing with blue plums.
And we went on living in the village of Chokan:
Two small people, without dislike or suspicion.
At fourteen I married My Lord you,
I never laughed, being bashful.
Lowering my head, I looked at the wall.
Called to, a thousand times, I never looked back.
At fifteen I stopped scowling,
I desired my dust to be mingled with yours
Forever and forever and forever.
Why should I climb the look out?
At sixteen you departed,
You went into fat Ku-to-yen, by the river of swirling eddies,
And you have been gone five months.
The monkeys make sorrowful noises overhead.
You dragged your feet when you went out.
By the gate now, the moss is grown, the different mosses,
Too deep to clear them away!
The leaves fall early in autumn, in wind.
The paired butterflies are already yellow with August
Over the grass in the West garden;
They hurt me. I grow older.
If you are coming down through the narrows of the river Kiang,
Please let me know beforehand,
And I will come out to meet tou
As far as Cho-fu-Sa.
Editor 1 Interpretation
The River-Merchant's Wife: A Letter by Ezra Pound
The River-Merchant's Wife: A Letter is a beautiful and haunting poem written by Ezra Pound in 1915. It tells the story of a young woman who writes a letter to her husband, who is away on a business trip. The poem is a poignant reflection on love, distance, and longing.
Analysis of the Poem
The poem is written in the form of a letter, which gives it a personal and intimate feeling. It is addressed to the "River-Merchant", who is the husband of the speaker. The poem begins with the speaker describing her youth, and how she was married off at a young age. The use of the word "sold" to describe her marriage is particularly effective, as it highlights the fact that women in traditional societies were often treated as commodities.
The speaker goes on to describe how she misses her husband, who is away on a business trip. She longs for his return, and dreams of the day when they will be reunited. The use of imagery is particularly effective in this section of the poem. The speaker describes how she looks at the moon, and sees it as a reflection of her own longing. She also describes how she listens to the sound of the river, and imagines that it is the sound of her husband's voice.
The middle section of the poem is particularly powerful. The speaker describes how she has grown lonely and sad in her husband's absence. She has been left alone to care for their children, and she longs for the comfort of her husband's presence. The use of repetition in this section is particularly effective. The speaker repeats the phrase "I cannot be sure" several times, which highlights her uncertainty and doubt.
The final section of the poem is particularly poignant. The speaker describes how she has changed since her husband left. She has grown older, and her hair has turned white. She longs for her husband to return, so that they can grow old together. The use of the phrase "when we came back" is particularly effective, as it highlights the fact that the speaker and her husband have a shared history.
Interpretation of the Poem
The River-Merchant's Wife: A Letter is a powerful reflection on love, distance, and longing. The poem is particularly effective in its use of imagery and repetition. The poem highlights the fact that women in traditional societies were often treated as commodities, and that they had little control over their own lives.
The poem can also be interpreted as a commentary on the nature of love. The speaker longs for her husband's return, and dreams of the day when they will be reunited. This highlights the fact that love can be a powerful force, capable of overcoming even the greatest of distances.
The poem can also be interpreted as a reflection on the passage of time. The speaker describes how she has grown older and her hair has turned white. This highlights the fact that time waits for no one, and that we must make the most of the time we have with the people we love.
Conclusion
The River-Merchant's Wife: A Letter is a beautiful and haunting poem that reflects on the nature of love, distance, and longing. The poem is particularly effective in its use of imagery and repetition. The poem highlights the fact that women in traditional societies were often treated as commodities, and that they had little control over their own lives. The poem can also be interpreted as a commentary on the nature of love, and a reflection on the passage of time. Overall, The River-Merchant's Wife: A Letter is a powerful and moving poem that continues to resonate with readers today.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The River-Merchant's Wife: A Letter is a classic poem written by Ezra Pound that has stood the test of time. It is a beautiful and poignant piece of literature that captures the essence of love, longing, and loss. In this article, we will take a closer look at the poem and analyze its various elements to gain a deeper understanding of its meaning and significance.
The poem is written in the form of a letter, which is addressed to the speaker's husband, who is away on a long journey. The letter is written by the speaker, who is the wife of a river merchant. She is left behind to tend to their home and children while her husband is away. The poem is divided into three parts, each of which represents a different stage in the speaker's emotional journey.
The first part of the poem is filled with longing and nostalgia. The speaker describes how she misses her husband and longs for his return. She talks about how she used to play with him as a child and how they fell in love. She also describes the beauty of their surroundings, the river, and the mountains, which she associates with her husband. The imagery in this part of the poem is vivid and evocative, painting a picture of a beautiful and idyllic world that the speaker longs to return to.
The second part of the poem is more introspective and reflective. The speaker begins to question her own feelings and emotions. She wonders if her husband still loves her and if he will return to her. She also reflects on the passage of time and how it has changed her and her husband. The imagery in this part of the poem is more subdued, reflecting the speaker's inner turmoil and uncertainty.
The third and final part of the poem is the most emotional and powerful. The speaker finally receives a letter from her husband, which fills her with joy and relief. She describes how she rushes to the river to read the letter and how it brings her husband's presence back to her. She also reflects on the nature of love and how it can endure even in the face of distance and separation. The imagery in this part of the poem is the most vivid and intense, reflecting the speaker's overwhelming emotions.
One of the most striking aspects of the poem is its use of imagery. Pound uses vivid and evocative language to paint a picture of the world that the speaker inhabits. The river and the mountains are described in great detail, creating a sense of place and atmosphere that is both beautiful and haunting. The imagery also serves to reinforce the themes of the poem, such as the passage of time, the nature of love, and the power of memory.
Another important element of the poem is its use of symbolism. The river and the mountains are both powerful symbols that represent the speaker's emotional journey. The river represents the passage of time and the changes that occur over the course of a lifetime. The mountains represent the enduring nature of love and the strength that it can provide in the face of adversity. The use of these symbols helps to deepen the meaning of the poem and make it more resonant with readers.
The language of the poem is also worth noting. Pound uses simple and direct language to convey complex emotions and ideas. The language is both beautiful and accessible, making the poem easy to read and understand. The use of repetition and parallelism also adds to the poem's beauty and power, creating a sense of rhythm and flow that is both musical and poetic.
In conclusion, The River-Merchant's Wife: A Letter is a classic poem that has stood the test of time. It is a beautiful and poignant piece of literature that captures the essence of love, longing, and loss. The poem's use of imagery, symbolism, and language all contribute to its beauty and power, making it a timeless work of art. Whether you are a fan of poetry or simply appreciate great literature, The River-Merchant's Wife: A Letter is a must-read.
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