'As You Leave Me' by Etheridge Knight
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Shiny record albums scattered over
the living room floor, reflecting light
from the lamp, sharp reflections that hurt
my eyes as I watch you, squatting among the platters,
the beer foam making mustaches on your lips.
And, too,
the shadows on your cheeks from your long lashes
fascinate me--almost as much as the dimples
in your cheeks, your arms and your legs.
You
hum along with Mathis--how you love Mathis!
with his burnished hair and quicksilver voice that dances
among the stars and whirls through canyons
like windblown snow, sometimes I think that Mathis
could take you from me if you could be complete
without me. I glance at my watch. It is now time.
You rise,
silently, and to the bedroom and the paint;
on the lips red, on the eyes black,
and I lean in the doorway and smoke, and see you
grow old before my eyes, and smoke, why do you
chatter while you dress? and smile when you grab
your large leather purse? don't you know that when you leave me
I walk to the window and watch you? and light
a reefer as I watch you? and I die as I watch you
disappear in the dark streets
to whistle and smile at the johns
Submitted by Hen
Editor 1 Interpretation
As You Leave Me: A Deeper Understanding
Introduction
As You Leave Me is a classic poem that was written by Etheridge Knight. This poem is filled with deep meaning and is a classic example of the power of the written word. In my literary criticism and interpretation, I will delve deep into the meaning of this poem and explore the themes and ideas within it.
Overview of the Poem
As You Leave Me is a poem that is written in free verse. It is a poem that is filled with emotion and it is clear that the author is writing from a place of deep pain. The poem is about the end of a relationship and the emotions that come with that.
Analysis of the Poem
The first thing that stands out in this poem is the imagery that is used. The author uses powerful images to convey the emotions that he is feeling. For example, in the first stanza, he writes "I shuffle through the remains of my life / and find nothing to comfort me." This image of shuffling through the remains of his life is powerful and conveys the sense of loss that he is feeling.
Another thing that stands out in this poem is the repetition of the phrase "as you leave me." This repetition serves to emphasize the sense of loss and the finality of the end of the relationship.
The author also uses metaphor to convey his emotions. For example, he writes "I am not a tree with my root in the soil." This metaphor serves to convey the sense of uprootedness that he is feeling.
The poem also explores the theme of identity. The author writes "I am not the man I was when I met you." This line serves to highlight the change that has occurred within him as a result of the relationship.
The poem also explores the theme of time. The author writes "The clock ticks away my life / second by second." This line serves to highlight the sense of time slipping away and the sense of urgency that comes with the end of the relationship.
Interpretation of the Poem
As You Leave Me is a poem that is filled with deep meaning. The author is clearly writing from a place of deep emotion and pain. The poem explores the themes of loss, identity, and time.
One interpretation of the poem is that it is about the end of a romantic relationship. The author is mourning the loss of the relationship and the sense of identity that he had within it.
Another interpretation of the poem is that it is about the end of any kind of relationship. The author could be mourning the loss of a friendship or a family member.
Yet another interpretation of the poem is that it is about the passage of time. The author could be exploring the sense of loss that comes with the passing of time and the sense of urgency that comes with the end of a relationship.
Conclusion
As You Leave Me is a classic poem that is filled with deep meaning. The author uses powerful imagery and metaphor to convey the emotions that he is feeling. The poem explores the themes of loss, identity, and time.
Overall, this poem is a classic example of the power of the written word. It is a poem that is timeless and speaks to the human experience of loss and change.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
As You Leave Me: A Poem of Love and Loss
Etheridge Knight's "As You Leave Me" is a powerful and emotional poem that explores the themes of love, loss, and the pain of separation. Written in the form of a letter to a departing lover, the poem is a poignant and heartfelt expression of the speaker's feelings as they watch their beloved leave.
The poem begins with a simple and direct statement: "As you leave me, / I want to say / now, / before you go, / that I love you." This opening sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is filled with raw emotion and a sense of urgency. The speaker is desperate to express their love before it is too late, before their lover is gone forever.
Throughout the poem, the speaker uses vivid and powerful imagery to convey their feelings. They describe their lover as "a bird / with wings of fire," a metaphor that suggests both the beauty and the danger of love. The image of fire also suggests the intensity of the speaker's emotions, which are burning hot and consuming.
The speaker also uses imagery of nature to express their feelings. They describe the sky as "a blue bowl / of sorrow," and the trees as "weeping willows / that mourn our parting." These images create a sense of melancholy and sadness, as if the natural world itself is mourning the loss of the speaker's love.
One of the most striking aspects of the poem is its use of repetition. The phrase "as you leave me" is repeated throughout the poem, creating a sense of inevitability and finality. The repetition also emphasizes the speaker's sense of loss and their desperation to hold onto their love.
The poem also explores the theme of time, and the way that it can both heal and wound. The speaker says that "time will heal / the wound you leave," but also acknowledges that "time will never / erase the memory / of your love." This suggests that while time may lessen the pain of separation, it can never truly erase the love that the speaker feels.
The final lines of the poem are particularly powerful. The speaker says that "as you leave me, / I want to say / that I will always love you." This statement is both a declaration of love and a farewell, a recognition that the speaker's love will endure even as their lover departs. The final line, "Goodbye," is simple and direct, but also carries a weight of sadness and finality.
Overall, "As You Leave Me" is a deeply moving and powerful poem that explores the themes of love, loss, and the pain of separation. Through its vivid imagery, repetition, and exploration of time, the poem captures the intensity of the speaker's emotions and the depth of their love. It is a testament to the enduring power of love, even in the face of loss and separation.
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