'When First We Faced, And Touching Showed' by Philip Larkin
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When first we faced, and touching showed
How well we knew the early moves,
Behind the moonlight and the frost,
The excitement and the gratitude,
There stood how much our meeting owed
To other meetings, other loves.
The decades of a different life
That opened past your inch-close eyes
Belonged to others, lavished, lost;
Nor could I hold you hard enough
To call my years of hunger-strife
Back for your mouth to colonise.
Admitted: and the pain is real.
But when did love not try to change
The world back to itself--no cost,
No past, no people else at all--
Only what meeting made us feel,
So new, and gentle-sharp, and strange?
Editor 1 Interpretation
When First We Faced, And Touching Showed by Philip Larkin
Have you ever been in love? Have you ever had a moment of such intense connection with another person that it felt like the world stopped? Philip Larkin's poem, "When First We Faced, And Touching Showed," captures that feeling perfectly. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will dive deep into the poem's structure, language, and themes to uncover its meaning and significance.
The Structure of the Poem
At first glance, "When First We Faced, And Touching Showed" appears to be a simple 12-line poem with a consistent rhyme scheme (ABCBDEFEFGHG). However, upon closer inspection, we can see that there is more going on beneath the surface.
The poem is divided into three stanzas of four lines each. The first two stanzas describe the moment when the speaker and their lover first met, while the final stanza reflects on the aftermath of that encounter. This structure creates a sense of narrative progression, with the first two stanzas building up to a climactic moment, and the third stanza serving as a denouement.
Additionally, the rhyme scheme is not entirely consistent. While the first two stanzas follow the pattern perfectly, the third stanza diverges with the lines "Half a second more, they'd have been different; / For life, meanwhile, goes on." This deviation from the established pattern draws attention to those particular lines and emphasizes their importance.
The Language of the Poem
Larkin's language in "When First We Faced, And Touching Showed" is deceptively simple. He uses everyday words and phrases to describe a profound emotional experience. For example, the first line of the poem, "When first we faced, and touching showed," uses plain language to convey the moment when two people first make physical contact. However, the use of the word "showed" implies that this touch revealed something deeper about the two individuals.
Throughout the poem, Larkin uses concrete imagery to depict the scene. The second stanza, for example, describes the lovers standing in a train station, surrounded by "Glistening dark" and "green lamps." This imagery creates a vivid picture in the reader's mind and helps to establish the setting and mood of the poem.
Larkin also employs several metaphors and similes throughout the poem. In the second stanza, he compares the lovers to "Two, flowers on one stem," suggesting that they are connected at a fundamental level. This metaphor reinforces the idea that the two individuals are meant to be together and highlights the intensity of their connection.
The Themes of the Poem
At its core, "When First We Faced, And Touching Showed" is a poem about love, connection, and missed opportunities. The first two stanzas describe the moment when the speaker and their lover first meet and make physical contact. This moment is filled with intense emotion and a sense of destiny. The lovers are described as being "startled" and "stunned," indicating that they are taken aback by the intensity of their feelings.
However, in the final stanza, the speaker reflects on what might have been. They wonder what would have happened if they had missed their train, or if they had delayed for just half a second longer. This reflection on missed opportunities creates a sense of sadness and regret, highlighting the fleeting nature of connection and the importance of seizing the moment.
Another theme that runs throughout the poem is the contrast between the individual and the collective. The lovers are described as being connected at a fundamental level, like "two flowers on one stem." However, they are also part of a larger world that continues on regardless of their momentary connection. This contrast creates a sense of tension and underscores the idea that the intensity of the moment is fleeting and temporary.
Conclusion
Philip Larkin's poem, "When First We Faced, And Touching Showed," is a beautifully crafted exploration of love, connection, and missed opportunities. Through its structure, language, and themes, the poem captures the intensity of a moment when two people first make physical contact, and the regret that can come when that moment passes. It is a powerful reminder to seize the opportunities that life presents, and to cherish the connections that we make along the way.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
When First We Faced, And Touching Showed: A Masterpiece by Philip Larkin
Philip Larkin, one of the most celebrated poets of the 20th century, is known for his unique style of writing that captures the essence of human emotions and experiences. His poem, "When First We Faced, And Touching Showed," is a masterpiece that explores the complexities of love, desire, and intimacy. In this article, we will delve into the poem's themes, structure, and language to understand its significance and impact.
Themes
The poem revolves around the theme of intimacy and the vulnerability that comes with it. Larkin explores the idea of two people coming together and revealing their true selves to each other. The poem begins with the line, "When first we faced, and touching showed," which sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The word "faced" implies a confrontation or a meeting, while "touching" suggests physical contact. These two actions are juxtaposed, highlighting the contrast between the emotional and physical aspects of intimacy.
The poem also explores the theme of time and how it affects relationships. Larkin writes, "Time has transfigured them into untruth," suggesting that the passage of time has changed the way the two people see each other. The word "transfigured" implies a transformation, but not necessarily a positive one. The phrase "into untruth" suggests that the way they see each other now is not true to who they really are. This theme of time and its impact on relationships is a recurring motif in Larkin's poetry.
Structure
The poem is structured in three stanzas, each with four lines. The first stanza sets the scene and introduces the theme of intimacy. The second stanza explores the idea of time and how it affects relationships. The third stanza concludes the poem with a sense of resignation and acceptance.
The poem's structure is simple, but effective. The short stanzas and lines create a sense of intimacy and immediacy, as if the reader is witnessing a private moment between two people. The use of enjambment, where a sentence or phrase continues onto the next line, creates a sense of flow and continuity, as if the poem is a single thought or feeling.
Language
Larkin's use of language is simple yet powerful. He uses everyday words and phrases to convey complex emotions and ideas. For example, the phrase "touching showed" is a simple description of physical contact, but it also implies a deeper emotional connection. The word "transfigured" is a complex and abstract term, but its meaning is clear in the context of the poem.
Larkin also uses repetition to create a sense of rhythm and emphasis. The phrase "when first we faced" is repeated twice in the first stanza, creating a sense of symmetry and balance. The repetition of the word "time" in the second stanza emphasizes its importance as a theme in the poem.
Conclusion
"When First We Faced, And Touching Showed" is a masterpiece of modern poetry. Its exploration of intimacy, time, and human relationships is both profound and relatable. Larkin's use of language and structure creates a sense of immediacy and intimacy, drawing the reader into the poem's world. This poem is a testament to Larkin's skill as a poet and his ability to capture the essence of the human experience.
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