'A Kiss' by Thomas Lux

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One wave falling forward meets another wave falling
forward. Well-water,
hand-hauled, mineral, cool, could be
a kiss, or pastures
fiery green after rain, before
the grazers. The kiss -- like a shoal of fish whipped
one way, another way, like the fever dreams
of a million monkeys -- the kiss
carry me -- closer than your carotid artery -- to you.

Editor 1 Interpretation

"A Kiss" by Thomas Lux: A Study on Sensuality and Intimacy in Poetry

Oh, what a kiss can do! It can ignite passion, generate emotions, and create memories that last a lifetime. In the poem "A Kiss" by Thomas Lux, the speaker explores the power of a kiss and how it can transcend time and space. Through vivid imagery and sensual language, Lux captures the essence of intimacy and affection, leaving readers with a profound understanding of the significance of a simple act of love.

The Power of Sensual Imagery

From the very first line, "The mouth of the river kisses the sea," Lux establishes a sensuous tone that continues throughout the poem. He compares the meeting of the river and the sea to a kiss, demonstrating the idea that two entities can come together in a moment of intimacy. This comparison also highlights the idea that a kiss can be a unifying force, much like how the river and sea become one.

Lux's use of imagery is particularly striking. In the second stanza, he describes a kiss as being "like a fish breathing out of water," and in the third stanza, he compares it to a bird's "tongue probing the air." These comparisons are unique and unexpected, yet they add to the sensual nature of the poem. They also show how a kiss can be a primal act of survival, much like how a fish needs air to breathe.

Exploring the Idea of Time

One of the most interesting aspects of "A Kiss" is how Lux explores the idea of time. He writes, "A kiss is a wordless sentence, a comma, / a question mark in the middle of a story." This line highlights how a kiss can be a moment frozen in time, a punctuation mark that changes the course of a narrative. It can be a beginning or an end, a climax or a resolution.

Lux also writes, "A kiss is a question you want to spend / your whole life answering." This line suggests that a kiss can be a mystery to be solved, a puzzle to be unraveled. It can be an ongoing exploration of intimacy and affection, a journey that lasts a lifetime. This idea of a kiss being a lifelong pursuit of understanding is both romantic and profound.

The Role of Sound in Poetry

Lux's use of sound in "A Kiss" is masterful. He employs alliteration, assonance, and consonance to create a musical quality to the poem. For example, in the first stanza, he writes, "The mouth of the river kisses the sea / and leaves an estuary of salt and sweet." The repetition of the "s" sound in "mouth," "river," "kisses," and "sea" creates a smooth, flowing rhythm that evokes the movement of water.

Lux also uses repetition to emphasize certain words and phrases. In the fourth stanza, he writes, "A kiss is a noun with verb-like tendencies, / and nothing else means exactly this." By repeating the word "kiss," he emphasizes its significance and reinforces its importance in the poem. This repetition also creates a sense of urgency and intensity.

Finding Meaning in Poetry

Ultimately, the power of "A Kiss" lies in the meaning readers can derive from it. The poem explores the idea of intimacy and affection in a way that is both sensual and profound. It suggests that a kiss can be a unifying force, a lifelong pursuit of understanding, and a moment frozen in time.

Lux's use of vivid imagery, exploration of time, and masterful use of sound all contribute to the poem's impact. Through his words, he creates a world filled with sensuality and intimacy, one that readers can relate to and find meaning in. "A Kiss" is a testament to the power of poetry to capture the essence of human experience and evoke emotion in readers.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry is a form of art that has the power to evoke emotions and feelings in its readers. It is a medium that can express the deepest of human emotions, and Thomas Lux's poem "A Kiss" is a perfect example of this. This poem is a beautiful and powerful piece of literature that captures the essence of love and passion.

The poem "A Kiss" is a short but powerful piece of poetry that captures the essence of a kiss. The poem is written in free verse, which means that it does not follow a specific rhyme scheme or meter. This allows the poet to express his thoughts and emotions freely, without being constrained by the rules of traditional poetry.

The poem begins with the line "When did you taste your first kiss?" This line immediately draws the reader in and sets the tone for the rest of the poem. It is a question that many of us can relate to, as we all remember our first kiss. The poet then goes on to describe the kiss in detail, using vivid imagery and sensory language.

The second stanza of the poem is particularly powerful. The poet describes the kiss as "a small, sweet explosion." This line captures the intensity and passion of a kiss, and the use of the word "explosion" adds a sense of excitement and energy to the poem. The poet then goes on to describe the physical sensations of a kiss, such as the taste and smell of the other person.

The third stanza of the poem is perhaps the most beautiful. The poet describes the kiss as "a moment of happiness so immense, so overwhelming, it knocks you down." This line captures the emotional intensity of a kiss, and the use of the word "overwhelming" adds a sense of power and magnitude to the poem. The poet then goes on to describe the feeling of being lost in the moment, completely consumed by the kiss.

The final stanza of the poem is a reflection on the power of a kiss. The poet describes how a kiss can change everything, how it can make the world seem brighter and more beautiful. The poem ends with the line "a kiss, and the world is yours." This line captures the transformative power of a kiss, and the sense of possibility and hope that it can bring.

Overall, "A Kiss" is a beautiful and powerful poem that captures the essence of love and passion. The use of vivid imagery and sensory language allows the reader to experience the intensity and emotion of a kiss, while the free verse structure gives the poet the freedom to express his thoughts and emotions freely. This poem is a testament to the power of poetry to evoke emotions and feelings in its readers, and it is a true masterpiece of the genre.

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