'Even Because' by Ralph Angel
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Because it all just breaks apart, and the pieces scatter and
rearrange without much fanfare or notice.
Because you can't and don't remember the step that kicked up
dust and left this planet—you'd give up even more now.
Because the body itself—the heart's
not dead but deeper, wrapped up in curtains, a different color,
among the railings and the pigeons, the rooftops and
walls—
for all you know it's a question of bread
or beer.
Because even love
returns. The city's all brightness
and shadow, deckle-edged, bluer than air—there's no help
anywhere—you no longer know how to listen.
And love says, love—midnight to midnight,
already ablaze. And the boulevard—wide-open. And the well-
stocked crowdless market, and a lone taxi blears.
Even happiness—the way anger's come back to roost again.
And joy, though joy's not in the ear or the eye. On this
walk.
The gulls hover offshore and the islands are speckled with fire.
Even love, even because.
Anonymous submission.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Even Because: A Literary Criticism
Ralph Angel's poem, "Even Because," is a beautiful rendition of the complexities of love and loss. The poem, published in 1997 in Angel's collection "Twice Removed," captures the essence of a relationship between two people who are madly in love but are unable to be together. The poem is a perfect example of how love can be both beautiful and heartbreaking at the same time. In this literary criticism, I will explore the different elements of the poem, including the language, the imagery, and the structure, to provide a deeper understanding of the themes and emotions that the poem evokes.
Language
One of the most striking features of "Even Because" is the language that Angel uses. The poem is written in a simple and straightforward style, with short lines and a consistent rhythm. However, the simplicity of the language belies the depth of the emotions that it conveys. Angel uses a range of literary devices, such as metaphors and personification, to create a sense of longing, loss, and regret.
For example, in the first stanza, Angel writes:
Even because you are not here
because it is not possible
I cannot get you out of my mind
Here, Angel uses repetition to highlight the speaker's inability to forget the person they love. The use of "even because" emphasizes the impossibility of the situation, while the repetition of "because" creates a sense of desperation and longing. The line "I cannot get you out of my mind" is a common expression, but in this context, it takes on a deeper meaning. The speaker's love is so intense that they are unable to forget the object of their affection.
Angel also uses metaphors to convey the speaker's emotions. In the second stanza, he writes:
The heart is a fish
that swallows the hook
even though it knows
it will die
Here, Angel compares the heart to a fish that is caught on a hook, even though it knows that it will die. This metaphor is a powerful image of the speaker's love. The heart is something that is alive and vital, but it is caught and trapped by love, just like a fish is caught and trapped by a hook. The metaphor also suggests that the speaker knows that their love is doomed, but they cannot help but be drawn towards it.
Imagery
The imagery in "Even Because" is another powerful aspect of the poem. Angel uses a variety of images to create a sense of longing and loss. One of the most evocative images is that of the moon. In the first stanza, Angel writes:
The moon is a stone
that lies still in the sky
even though it wants to move
Here, Angel personifies the moon, giving it a desire and a will of its own. The moon is something that is always present in the night sky, but it is also something that is unattainable. The image of the moon wanting to move but being unable to do so is a metaphor for the speaker's own desire for the person they love. Just like the moon, the speaker is unable to reach the person they love, and they are forced to remain still and powerless.
Another powerful image in the poem is that of the wind. In the third stanza, Angel writes:
The wind is a hand
that touches the face
that cannot be seen
but is always there
Here, Angel personifies the wind, giving it a sense of touch and presence. The wind is something that is always there, but it is also something that is invisible and intangible. The wind represents the speaker's own desire to touch and be close to the person they love, even though they are unable to do so. The image of the wind as a hand that touches the face is a powerful metaphor for the intimacy and closeness that the speaker longs for.
Structure
The structure of "Even Because" is also significant. The poem is divided into five stanzas, each with four lines. The consistent structure creates a sense of symmetry and balance, which contrasts with the emotional turmoil of the poem. The short lines and consistent rhythm also create a sense of urgency and intensity, which reflects the speaker's own emotions.
The repetition of "even because" throughout the poem creates a sense of inevitability and resignation. The phrase emphasizes the impossibility of the situation, and it creates a sense of repetition and circularity. The repetition of the phrase also creates a sense of unity and coherence, which contrasts with the fragmented emotions of the speaker.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "Even Because" is a beautiful and powerful poem that captures the essence of love and longing. The language and imagery in the poem are evocative and expressive, conveying a range of emotions and themes. The structure of the poem is also significant, creating a sense of symmetry and balance that contrasts with the emotional turmoil of the speaker. Overall, "Even Because" is a masterpiece of modern poetry, and it deserves to be read, studied, and enjoyed by generations to come.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Even Because: A Poem of Love and Loss
Ralph Angel's "Even Because" is a poem that speaks to the heart of anyone who has ever loved and lost. It is a poem that captures the essence of the human experience, the joy and pain that come with loving deeply and losing just as deeply. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, imagery, and language of this classic poem, and discover why it continues to resonate with readers today.
The poem begins with the line "Even because I love you," which sets the tone for the rest of the piece. The speaker is acknowledging that their love for the person they are addressing is so strong that it even affects their ability to speak or think clearly. The use of the word "even" implies that the speaker is surprised by the intensity of their feelings, as if they never expected to love someone so deeply.
The next few lines of the poem describe the speaker's physical reaction to their love. They say that their "heart is a fist," which suggests that their love is so strong that it is almost painful. The use of the word "fist" also implies that the speaker is holding onto their love tightly, as if they are afraid to let it go. This is a common feeling for anyone who has ever been in love, as the fear of losing the person you love can be overwhelming.
The poem then shifts to a description of the person the speaker loves. They say that the person is "like a bird," which suggests that they are free-spirited and independent. The use of the word "bird" also implies that the person is fragile and delicate, which adds to the speaker's fear of losing them. The speaker then goes on to describe the person's eyes, saying that they are "like the sea." This is a powerful image, as the sea is vast and deep, and can be both beautiful and dangerous. The use of this imagery suggests that the person the speaker loves is complex and multifaceted, and that their love for them is both beautiful and dangerous.
The poem then takes a darker turn, as the speaker acknowledges that their love for the person is not enough to keep them together. They say that "love is not enough," which is a painful realization for anyone who has ever been in love. The speaker then goes on to describe the pain of losing the person they love, saying that it feels like "a knife in the heart." This is a powerful image, as it suggests that the pain of losing someone you love is physical as well as emotional.
The poem ends with the line "I love you even because," which brings the poem full circle. The use of the word "even" implies that the speaker's love for the person is so strong that it transcends their pain and their fear of losing them. The use of the word "because" suggests that the speaker's love is not based on any particular quality or trait of the person they love, but rather on the simple fact that they exist. This is a powerful message, as it suggests that love is not something that can be explained or rationalized, but rather something that simply is.
In terms of language, Ralph Angel's use of imagery is particularly effective in this poem. The use of the bird and sea imagery, for example, adds depth and complexity to the poem, and helps to convey the speaker's feelings in a powerful way. The use of the word "fist" to describe the speaker's heart is also effective, as it suggests that their love is both powerful and painful.
In terms of themes, "Even Because" explores the themes of love, loss, and the human experience. The poem acknowledges the joy and pain that come with loving deeply, and the fear and sadness that come with losing someone you love. It also suggests that love is something that cannot be explained or rationalized, but rather something that simply exists.
Overall, "Even Because" is a powerful and moving poem that speaks to the heart of anyone who has ever loved and lost. Ralph Angel's use of imagery and language is particularly effective in conveying the speaker's feelings, and the themes of love, loss, and the human experience are explored in a powerful and meaningful way. This is a classic poem that continues to resonate with readers today, and is a testament to the power of love and the human spirit.
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