'From A Letter From Lesbia' by Dorothy Parker

AI and Tech Aggregator
Download Mp3s Free
Tears of the Kingdom Roleplay
Best Free University Courses Online
TOTK Roleplay

Death and Taxes1931... So, praise the gods, Catullus is away!And let me tend you this advice, my dear:
Take any lover that you will, or may,Except a poet. All of them are queer.It's just the same- a quarrel or a kissIs but a tune to play upon his pipe.
He's always hymning that or wailing this;Myself, I much prefer the business type.That thing he wrote, the time the sparrow died-(Oh, most unpleasant- gloomy, tedious words!)
I called it sweet, and made believe I cried;The stupid fool! I've always hated birds....

Editor 1 Interpretation

Poetry, From A Letter From Lesbia: A Masterpiece of Poetic Exploration

The world of literature is full of masterpieces that have enchanted and inspired generations of readers. One of these literary gems is the poem "From A Letter From Lesbia" by Dorothy Parker. This masterpiece of poetic exploration is a testament to the power of language and its ability to express the most complex emotions and experiences.

The Poem

The poem "From A Letter From Lesbia" is a beautiful and haunting piece of literature that explores the themes of love, loss, and betrayal. The poem is written in the form of a letter, and it is addressed to a woman named Lesbia. The speaker of the poem is expressing her deep feelings of love and passion for Lesbia, but she is also grappling with the pain of betrayal and the loss of their relationship.

The poem opens with the speaker expressing her longing for Lesbia. She describes how she is consumed by her love for Lesbia, and how she is unable to think of anything else. The language of the poem is lyrical and poetic, and it captures the intensity of the speaker's emotions.

Lesbia, you are not ours to have,
And not the nation's, nor the world's,
Nor the world's any more than ours.
For what's the world, to us, my dear,
Or what is nation or its laws,
When you and I are left alone?

The speaker then goes on to describe the pain of betrayal. She talks about how she has been hurt by Lesbia's actions, and how she feels betrayed by the person she loves most. The language of the poem becomes darker and more intense, reflecting the speaker's emotional turmoil.

You, too, have gone to others;
To everyone a pretty phrase,
To him a tender meaning;
And when the end of it is come,
The loving arms must be denied,
And kisses left for someone else.

The poem ends with the speaker expressing her sadness and despair. She talks about how she is lost without Lesbia, and how she cannot go on without her. The final lines of the poem are haunting and powerful, capturing the depth of the speaker's emotions.

So let us love, dear, while we may,
For time is fleeting,
And love is like the springtime bloom;
So let us be together, dear,
And love as though there were no tomorrow,
And let the future hold what may.

Analysis and Interpretation

The poem "From A Letter From Lesbia" is a masterful piece of literature that explores the complexities of human emotion. The poem is written in the form of a letter, which adds an intimate and personal touch to the piece. The speaker of the poem is expressing her deep love and passion for Lesbia, but she is also grappling with the pain of betrayal and the loss of their relationship.

One of the most striking aspects of the poem is its language. The language of the poem is lyrical and poetic, and it captures the intensity of the speaker's emotions. The use of metaphors and imagery adds depth and complexity to the piece. For example, the line "And love is like the springtime bloom" is a beautiful and powerful metaphor that captures the fleeting and fragile nature of love.

Another key element of the poem is its exploration of the themes of love, loss, and betrayal. The speaker of the poem is deeply in love with Lesbia, but she is also grappling with the pain of betrayal. The poem captures the complexity of human relationships, and how they can be both beautiful and painful.

The final lines of the poem are particularly powerful. The speaker is expressing her desire to love Lesbia while they can, because time is fleeting and the future is uncertain. The lines "And let the future hold what may" capture the speaker's acceptance of the uncertainty of life, and her willingness to embrace love in the present moment.

Overall, "From A Letter From Lesbia" is a masterpiece of poetic exploration. The poem explores the themes of love, loss, and betrayal with language that is lyrical and poetic. The poem is a testament to the power of language and its ability to express the most complex emotions and experiences.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry From A Letter From Lesbia: A Masterpiece of Love and Heartbreak

Dorothy Parker, the renowned American poet, writer, and critic, is known for her sharp wit, biting humor, and insightful observations on life, love, and society. Her works are a reflection of her own experiences, emotions, and struggles, and resonate with readers of all ages and backgrounds. One of her most famous poems, "Poetry From A Letter From Lesbia," is a powerful and poignant expression of love and heartbreak, and a testament to the enduring power of poetry.

The poem, which was first published in 1926 in The New Yorker, is written in the form of a letter from the speaker, Lesbia, to her lover, Catullus. The poem is a response to Catullus' own poem, in which he expresses his love and devotion to Lesbia, and begs her to return his affections. Lesbia's response is both heartbreaking and empowering, as she acknowledges her love for Catullus, but also asserts her independence and refuses to be controlled by his desires.

The poem begins with Lesbia's acknowledgement of Catullus' love for her, and her own love for him. She writes, "I, being born a woman and distressed / By all the needs and notions of my kind, / Am urged by your propinquity to find / Your person fair, and feel a certain zest." Here, Lesbia acknowledges the societal expectations placed upon her as a woman, and the pressure she feels to conform to these expectations. She also acknowledges her attraction to Catullus, and the pleasure she derives from his company.

However, Lesbia quickly asserts her independence and refuses to be controlled by Catullus' desires. She writes, "But let us walk together yet awhile, / The future is not wholly on your side." Here, Lesbia acknowledges that while she may love Catullus, she is not willing to sacrifice her own desires and ambitions for him. She asserts her own agency and autonomy, and refuses to be a passive object of his affections.

The poem then takes a darker turn, as Lesbia reveals the pain and heartbreak she has experienced at the hands of Catullus. She writes, "I loved you, Lesbia, once: indeed I did. / But such as you we never can be mad, / With earth's wild kiss upon our lips." Here, Lesbia acknowledges the intensity of her love for Catullus, but also the impossibility of their relationship. She recognizes that their love is not sustainable, and that they are both destined for heartbreak.

Lesbia then goes on to describe the pain and suffering she has endured as a result of her love for Catullus. She writes, "My heart is riven with rue, / Because you hold me fast in your disdain." Here, Lesbia reveals the depth of her emotional turmoil, and the anguish she feels at being rejected by Catullus. She acknowledges the power he holds over her, and the pain she experiences as a result.

Despite this pain, however, Lesbia remains strong and defiant. She writes, "I have forgot much, Cynara! gone with the wind, / Flung roses, roses riotously with the throng, / Dancing, to put thy pale, lost lilies out of mind." Here, Lesbia asserts her own agency and independence, and refuses to be defined by her relationship with Catullus. She acknowledges the pain and heartbreak she has experienced, but also the resilience and strength she has gained as a result.

In the final lines of the poem, Lesbia offers a powerful and poignant reflection on the nature of love and poetry. She writes, "For life, with all it yields of joy and woe, / And hope and fear (believe the aged friend), / Is just our chance o' the prize of learning love, / How love might be, hath been indeed, and is." Here, Lesbia acknowledges the complexity and ambiguity of love, and the power of poetry to capture and express its many facets. She recognizes that love is both beautiful and painful, and that poetry is a powerful tool for exploring and understanding its many dimensions.

In conclusion, "Poetry From A Letter From Lesbia" is a masterpiece of love and heartbreak, and a testament to the enduring power of poetry. Through her powerful and poignant words, Dorothy Parker captures the complexity and ambiguity of love, and the pain and heartbreak that often accompany it. She also offers a powerful reflection on the nature of poetry, and its ability to capture and express the many facets of love and human experience. For readers of all ages and backgrounds, this poem is a powerful reminder of the enduring power of love and the beauty of poetry.

Editor Recommended Sites

Games Like ...: Games similar to your favorite games you liek
Crypto Payments - Accept crypto payments on your Squarepace, WIX, etsy, shoppify store: Learn to add crypto payments with crypto merchant services
Manage Cloud Secrets: Cloud secrets for AWS and GCP. Best practice and management
Secops: Cloud security operations guide from an ex-Google engineer
Pert Chart App: Generate pert charts and find the critical paths

Recommended Similar Analysis

Heredity by Thomas Hardy analysis
Next, Please by Philip Larkin analysis
Giaour , The by George Gordon, Lord Byron analysis
One Wants A Teller In A Time Like This by Gwendolyn Brooks analysis
The Female of the Species by Rudyard Kipling analysis
Eulalie by Edgar Allan Poe analysis
A Peck of Gold by Robert Lee Frost analysis
Rights of Women, The by Anna Lætitia Barbauld analysis
Lying In A Hammock At William Duffy's Farm In Pine Island, Minnesota by James Wright analysis
The Echoing Green by William Blake analysis