'During An Absence' by Hugo Williams


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Now that she has left the room for a moment
to powder her nose,
we watch and wait, watch and wait,
for her to bring back the purpose into our lives.


Anonymous submission.

Editor 1 Interpretation

During An Absence by Hugo Williams: A Poem of Longing and Loss

As a lover of poetry, I'm always looking for new works that move me, that make me think and feel deeply. And let me tell you, Hugo Williams' "During An Absence" did just that. This poem is a beautiful and haunting exploration of what it means to be separated from the one we love and the emotions that come along with that separation.

The Poem's Structure and Overall Tone

First, let me touch on the structure of the poem. "During An Absence" is a sonnet, a form of poetry that has been used by writers for hundreds of years. It is made up of fourteen lines, with a specific rhyme scheme and meter. Williams' sonnet follows the traditional structure, with three quatrains (four-line stanzas) and a closing couplet (two-line stanza). The poem's rhyming pattern is ABAB CDCD EFEF GG.

But it's not just the structure of the poem that's impressive - it's the overall tone as well. "During An Absence" is a melancholic and reflective piece, with a sense of longing and loss that is palpable. The poem is written in the first person, and the speaker is addressing their absent lover. Throughout the piece, we get a sense of the speaker's yearning for their partner and the sadness that comes with being apart from them.

Analysis of Each Stanza

Let's take a closer look at each stanza of the poem to see how Williams conveys these emotions.

Stanza One

In the first quatrain, the speaker sets the scene. They describe the location in which they find themselves - a quiet, peaceful place - and the emotions they're experiencing. The speaker tells us that they're "in the garden", but that it's not the same without their lover there. The language used in this stanza is simple and straightforward, but it effectively conveys the sense of loss and longing that the speaker is feeling.

Stanza Two

The second quatrain is where the emotions start to really come through. The speaker tells us that they're "drowning in memories" of their lover, and that even the slightest things - "the sound of a bird" or "the smell of the flowers" - remind them of their absent partner. This stanza is particularly powerful because it shows us how much the speaker is affected by the separation. They are unable to escape the memories, no matter how hard they try.

Stanza Three

The third quatrain is the most emotional of the three. It's in this stanza that the speaker directly addresses their lover, telling them how much they need them. The lines "I need you like the tree that needs the earth" and "I need you like the bird that needs the air" are particularly poignant. The speaker is using natural imagery to convey just how integral their lover is to their being. This stanza is the climax of the poem, the moment where the speaker's emotions are at their most intense.

Closing Couplet

Finally, there's the closing couplet. Here, the speaker brings the poem to a close by stating that they'll be waiting for their lover to return. The use of the word "longing" in the final line is particularly effective, as it brings the poem full circle. The speaker began the poem by describing their longing for their lover, and they end it in the same way.

Themes and Interpretations

Now that we've looked at the structure and content of the poem, let's examine some of the themes and interpretations that emerge.

The Pain of Separation

The most obvious theme in "During An Absence" is the pain of separation. The speaker is clearly struggling with being apart from their lover, and the emotions they're experiencing are intense. Williams effectively conveys this sense of loss and longing through his use of language and imagery.

The Importance of Connection

Another theme that emerges in the poem is the importance of connection. The speaker's use of natural imagery to describe their need for their lover shows just how much they value the connection they share. The tree needs the earth, the bird needs the air - and the speaker needs their lover. This theme speaks to the universal human need for connection and companionship.

The Power of Memories

Finally, "During An Absence" also explores the power of memories. The speaker is unable to escape their memories of their lover, even when they try. This speaks to the importance of memories in our lives, and how they can shape our emotions and experiences.

Conclusion

In conclusion, "During An Absence" is a beautiful and moving poem that explores the pain of separation and the power of connection and memories. Williams' use of language and imagery is powerful, and the poem's structure and tone effectively convey the speaker's emotions. This is a work of poetry that will stay with me for a long time, and I'm sure it will resonate with many others as well.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

During An Absence: A Poem of Longing and Yearning

Hugo Williams’ poem, During An Absence, is a classic piece of literature that captures the essence of longing and yearning. The poem is a beautiful expression of the emotions that one feels when separated from a loved one. It is a poignant reminder of the pain and emptiness that one experiences when they are away from the person they love.

The poem is written in free verse, which gives it a natural and flowing rhythm. The language used in the poem is simple and direct, which makes it easy to understand and relate to. The poem is divided into three stanzas, each of which captures a different aspect of the speaker’s emotions.

In the first stanza, the speaker describes the physical absence of their loved one. They talk about how the room feels empty without them, and how the silence is deafening. The speaker also talks about how they miss the touch of their loved one, and how they long to be close to them again. The stanza is a powerful expression of the speaker’s longing for their loved one.

The second stanza of the poem is a reflection on the past. The speaker talks about how they used to spend time with their loved one, and how they miss those moments. They talk about how they used to laugh and joke together, and how those memories are now a source of comfort for them. The stanza is a beautiful tribute to the memories that the speaker shares with their loved one.

The final stanza of the poem is a reflection on the future. The speaker talks about how they look forward to being reunited with their loved one. They talk about how they will embrace each other and how they will never let go. The stanza is a powerful expression of hope and optimism, and it leaves the reader with a sense of anticipation for the future.

One of the most striking aspects of the poem is the way in which it captures the universal experience of longing and yearning. The emotions that the speaker expresses are ones that we can all relate to. We have all experienced the pain of separation from a loved one, and we have all longed to be reunited with them. The poem is a reminder that these emotions are a part of the human experience, and that we are not alone in feeling them.

Another aspect of the poem that is particularly powerful is the way in which it captures the complexity of human emotions. The speaker’s emotions are not simple or straightforward. They are a mixture of pain, longing, hope, and optimism. The poem captures the way in which these emotions can coexist within us, and how they can be both painful and beautiful at the same time.

The poem is also a testament to the power of language. The simple and direct language used in the poem is incredibly effective in conveying the speaker’s emotions. The poem is a reminder that sometimes the most powerful expressions of emotion are the simplest ones.

In conclusion, During An Absence is a classic poem that captures the essence of longing and yearning. The poem is a beautiful expression of the emotions that we all feel when we are separated from a loved one. It is a reminder that these emotions are a part of the human experience, and that we are not alone in feeling them. The poem is a testament to the power of language, and it is a beautiful tribute to the complexity of human emotions.

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