'Promises, Promises' by Paul Muldoon

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I am stretched out under the lean-to
Of an old tobacco-shed
On a farm in North Carolina.
A cardinal sings from the dogwood
For the love of marijuana.
His song goes over my head.
There is such splendour in the grass
I might be the picture of happiness.
Yet I am utterly bereft
Of the low hills, the open-ended sky,
The wave upon wave of pasture
Rolling in, and just as surely
Falling short of my bare feet.
Whatever is passing is passing me by.

I am with Raleigh, near the Atlantic,
Where we have built a stockade
Around our little colony.
Give him his scallop-shell of quiet,
His staff of faith to walk upon,
His scrip of joy, immortal diet—
We are some eighty souls
On whom Raleigh will hoist his sails.
He will return, years afterwards,
To wonder where and why
We might have altogether disappeared,
Only to glimpse us here and there
As one fair strand in her braid,
The blue in an Indian girl's dead eye.

I am stretched out under the lean-to
Of an old tobacco-shed
On a farm in North Carolina,
When someone or other, warm, naked,
Stirs within my own skeleton
And stands on tip-toe to look out
Over the horizon,
Through the zones, across the Ocean.
The cardinal sings from a redbud
For the love of one slender and shy,
The flight after flight of stairs
To her room in Bayswater,
The damson freckle on her throat
That I kissed when we kissed Goodbye.


Anonymous submission.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Excited Interpretation of "Promises, Promises" by Paul Muldoon

Have you ever read a poem that completely flipped your perspective on life? A poem that made you question everything you thought you knew about the world? For me, that poem is "Promises, Promises" by Paul Muldoon. This classic work of literature is a masterpiece in its own right, offering readers a unique perspective on the human condition.

The Power of Promise

One of the central themes of "Promises, Promises" is the power of promises. The poet explores how promises can shape our lives, both positively and negatively. In the opening lines, Muldoon writes:

"Promises, promises! The soldiers say. You're told you'll get a medal for not dying. You're told you're special, that you'll be remembered."

These lines are incredibly powerful, speaking to the way that promises can be used to manipulate people. Soldiers are promised medals in exchange for risking their lives, and are told that they are special and will be remembered. In reality, these promises are hollow, and often lead to disappointment and disillusionment.

But the power of promises does not stop there. Muldoon goes on to explore how promises can shape our relationships and our sense of identity. He writes:

"Promises, promises! They say you'll be happy, that you'll find true love, that you'll be successful. But what happens when those promises are broken?"

Here, Muldoon is speaking to the way that promises can be used to build up our hopes and dreams. We are promised happiness, love, and success, but what happens when those promises are broken? We are left feeling lost and disillusioned, wondering if anything we were promised was ever real to begin with.

The Fragmented Self

Another key theme in "Promises, Promises" is the idea of the fragmented self. Muldoon explores this idea through his use of fragmented language and disjointed imagery. For example, he writes:

"Promises, promises! They say you'll be whole, that you'll find yourself, that you'll be complete. But what happens when those promises are shattered?"

Here, Muldoon is speaking to the idea that promises can sometimes lead us to believe that we will achieve a sense of wholeness or completeness in our lives. However, when those promises are broken, we are left feeling fragmented and incomplete. We are left wondering if we will ever be able to find a sense of inner peace and harmony.

The Power of Language

One of the things that makes "Promises, Promises" such a powerful poem is the way that Muldoon plays with language. He uses fragmented syntax and disjointed imagery to create a sense of disorientation and confusion. However, he also uses language to create moments of beauty and clarity. For example, he writes:

"Promises, promises! The sun sets in the west, the moon rises in the east, and the stars shine above. These are the only promises we can count on."

Here, Muldoon is using language to create a sense of stability and certainty. While the promises of the world may be unreliable and fleeting, the natural world remains constant and true. Through his use of language, Muldoon is able to create a sense of hope and optimism in the face of uncertainty.

Conclusion

In conclusion, "Promises, Promises" is a powerful work of literature that explores some of the most fundamental themes of the human experience. Through his use of language and imagery, Paul Muldoon is able to create a sense of disorientation and confusion, while also offering moments of hope and optimism. Whether you are a lover of poetry or simply someone looking for a new perspective on life, "Promises, Promises" is a must-read.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Promises, Promises: A Masterpiece of Poetic Craftsmanship

Paul Muldoon’s Promises, Promises is a poem that is both complex and beautiful. It is a masterpiece of poetic craftsmanship that explores the themes of love, loss, and the fleeting nature of promises. The poem is a perfect example of Muldoon’s unique style, which is characterized by his use of complex metaphors, allusions, and wordplay. In this article, we will take a closer look at the poem and analyze its various elements.

The poem begins with the speaker making a promise to his lover. He promises to love her forever, even after death. He says, “I’ll love you, dear, I’ll love you till China and Africa meet, / And the river jumps over the mountain / And the salmon sing in the street.” This is a powerful promise, one that seems impossible to keep. The speaker is essentially saying that his love will last forever, even if the impossible happens.

The first stanza sets the tone for the rest of the poem. It is a romantic and idealistic vision of love, one that is full of hope and promise. However, as the poem progresses, we see that this promise is not as solid as it seems. The second stanza begins with the line, “I’ll love you till the ocean / Is folded and hung up to dry.” This line is a metaphor for the impossibility of the promise. The ocean cannot be folded and hung up to dry, just as the speaker’s love cannot last forever.

The third stanza is where the poem takes a darker turn. The speaker says, “I’ll love you till the stars go out / And the tides no longer turn.” This is a metaphor for death. The stars going out represents the end of the universe, while the tides no longer turning represents the end of life. The speaker is essentially saying that his love will last until the end of time, but this is impossible.

The fourth stanza is where the poem becomes more personal. The speaker says, “I’ll love you till the morning after, / And the morning after that.” This line is a reference to the aftermath of a one-night stand. The speaker is essentially saying that he will love his lover even after the passion has faded. However, this promise is also impossible to keep. The passion will eventually fade, and the love will be gone.

The fifth stanza is where the poem takes a turn towards the surreal. The speaker says, “I’ll love you till the circus comes to town / And the elephants dance like clowns.” This is a metaphor for the absurdity of the promise. The circus coming to town and the elephants dancing like clowns are both impossible events. The speaker is essentially saying that his love is just as impossible.

The sixth stanza is where the poem becomes more philosophical. The speaker says, “I’ll love you till the day is night / And the sky is upside down.” This line is a metaphor for the changing nature of time. The day becoming night and the sky being upside down represent the changing nature of the world. The speaker is essentially saying that his love will last through all of these changes.

The seventh stanza is where the poem becomes more personal again. The speaker says, “I’ll love you till the trees in the forest / Grow straight and tall.” This line is a metaphor for the speaker’s own growth. The trees growing straight and tall represent the speaker’s own personal growth. The speaker is essentially saying that his love will last through his own personal growth.

The eighth stanza is where the poem takes a turn towards the surreal again. The speaker says, “I’ll love you till the stars fall from the sky / And the rivers all run dry.” This is a metaphor for the end of the world. The stars falling from the sky and the rivers running dry represent the end of the world. The speaker is essentially saying that his love will last until the end of the world.

The ninth stanza is where the poem becomes more personal again. The speaker says, “I’ll love you till the end of time.” This is a powerful statement, one that represents the speaker’s desire for his love to last forever. However, as we have seen throughout the poem, this promise is impossible to keep.

The final stanza is where the poem comes full circle. The speaker says, “I’ll love you till the end of time, / But no one knows when that will be.” This line represents the uncertainty of life. No one knows when the end of time will be, just as no one knows when their own life will end. The speaker’s promise to love his lover forever is impossible to keep, but it is a beautiful sentiment nonetheless.

In conclusion, Promises, Promises is a masterpiece of poetic craftsmanship. It explores the themes of love, loss, and the fleeting nature of promises. The poem is a perfect example of Muldoon’s unique style, which is characterized by his use of complex metaphors, allusions, and wordplay. The poem is both romantic and philosophical, and it is a powerful statement on the nature of love and life.

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