'The House Of Dust: Part 03: 11: Conversation: Undertones' by Conrad Aiken
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What shall we talk of? Li Po? Hokusai?
You narrow your long dark eyes to fascinate me;
You smile a little. . . .Outside, the night goes by.
I walk alone in a forest of ghostly trees . . .
Your pale hands rest palm downwards on your knees.
'These lines—converging, they suggest such distance!
The soul is drawn away, beyond horizons.
Lured out to what? One dares not think.
Sometimes, I glimpse these infinite perspectives
In intimate talk (with such as you) and shrink . . .
'One feels so petty!—One feels such—emptiness!—'
You mimic horror, let fall your lifted hand,
And smile at me; with brooding tenderness . . .
Alone on darkened waters I fall and rise;
Slow waves above me break, faint waves of cries.
'And then these colors . . . but who would dare describe them?
This faint rose-coral pink . . this green—pistachio?—
So insubstantial! Like the dim ghostly things
Two lovers find in love's still-twilight chambers . . .
Old peacock-fans, and fragrant silks, and rings . . .
'Rings, let us say, drawn from the hapless fingers
Of some great lady, many centuries nameless,—
Or is that too sepulchral?—dulled with dust;
And necklaces that crumble if you touch them;
And gold brocades that, breathed on, fall to rust.
'No—I am wrong . . . it is not these I sought for—!
Why did they come to mind? You understand me—
You know these strange vagaries of the brain!—'
—I walk alone in a forest of ghostly trees;
Your pale hands rest palm downwards on your knees;
These strange vagaries of yours are all too plain.
'But why perplex ourselves with tedious problems
Of art or . . . such things? . . . while we sit here, living,
With all that's in our secret hearts to say!—'
Hearts?—Your pale hand softly strokes the satin.
You play deep music—know well what you play.
You stroke the satin with thrilling of finger-tips,
You smile, with faintly perfumed lips,
You loose your thoughts like birds,
Brushing our dreams with soft and shadowy words . .
We know your words are foolish, yet sit here bound
In tremulous webs of sound.
'How beautiful is intimate talk like this!—
It is as if we dissolved grey walls between us,
Stepped through the solid portals, become but shadows,
To hear a hidden music . . . Our own vast shadows
Lean to a giant size on the windy walls,
Or dwindle away; we hear our soft footfalls
Echo forever behind us, ghostly clear,
Music sings far off, flows suddenly near,
And dies away like rain . . .
We walk through subterranean caves again,—
Vaguely above us feeling
A shadowy weight of frescos on the ceiling,
Strange half-lit things,
Soundless grotesques with writhing claws and wings . . .
And here a beautiful face looks down upon us;
And someone hurries before, unseen, and sings . . .
Have we seen all, I wonder, in these chambers—
Or is there yet some gorgeous vault, arched low,
Where sleeps an amazing beauty we do not know? . . '
The question falls: we walk in silence together,
Thinking of that deep vault and of its secret . . .
This lamp, these books, this fire
Are suddenly blown away in a whistling darkness.
Deep walls crash down in the whirlwind of desire.
Editor 1 Interpretation
The House Of Dust: Part 03: 11: Conversation: Undertones by Conrad Aiken
Have you ever read a poem that seems to transport you to a different world, a world where you can almost feel the emotions that the poet was feeling when he wrote it? For me, that poem is "The House Of Dust: Part 03: 11: Conversation: Undertones" by Conrad Aiken. This poem is a masterpiece of modernist poetry, full of symbolism, imagery, and themes that delve deep into the human psyche.
The Setting
The poem is set in a room where two people, a man and a woman, are having a conversation. The room is described in vivid detail, with its "walls of white and gray" and "pale-blue curtains." The room seems to be a symbol of the mind, a place where thoughts and emotions are exchanged. The man and the woman are also described in great detail, with the woman's "long white fingers" and the man's "dark, deep-set eyes." The descriptions create a sense of intimacy between the two characters, as if we are eavesdropping on a private conversation.
The Conversation
The conversation between the man and the woman is full of undertones, hints of deeper meanings that are not explicitly stated. They talk about the moon, which the woman describes as "a white goddess." The moon is a common symbol in poetry, often representing femininity and the mysterious, hidden aspects of human nature. The woman's description of the moon as a goddess suggests a reverence for the feminine and a recognition of the power it holds.
The man and woman also talk about love, specifically the idea of being in love with someone who is not physically present. The woman says, "You understand now why I cannot love you." This line is a powerful one, as it suggests that love is not just a physical attraction but a deeper emotional connection. The fact that the woman cannot love the man suggests that there is something missing from their relationship, something that cannot be fulfilled by physical presence alone.
The Undertones
The undertones in this poem are what make it so powerful. The conversation between the man and woman is full of hints and suggestions, but it is up to the reader to interpret them. The poem is open to multiple interpretations, depending on the reader's own experiences and emotions.
One of the most powerful undertones in the poem is the idea of loneliness. The woman says, "I am alone... I am alone." This repetition of "alone" suggests a deep sense of isolation and sadness. The fact that the man cannot fill this void suggests that loneliness is a universal human experience, one that cannot be cured by physical presence alone.
Another undertone in the poem is the idea of the subconscious. The room in which the conversation takes place is described as having "walls of white and gray," which suggest a blank canvas, a place where thoughts and emotions can be projected. The conversation itself seems to be a manifestation of the subconscious, a place where hidden desires and fears can be expressed.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "The House Of Dust: Part 03: 11: Conversation: Undertones" is a masterpiece of modernist poetry. The setting, the characters, and the conversation all work together to create a sense of intimacy and emotional depth. The undertones in the poem are what make it so powerful, as they suggest deeper meanings and emotions that are not explicitly stated. This poem is a testament to the power of poetry to explore the human experience and to connect us to our deepest emotions.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The House Of Dust: Part 03: 11: Conversation: Undertones by Conrad Aiken is a classic poem that explores the complexities of human relationships and the underlying emotions that often go unspoken. In this poem, Aiken uses vivid imagery and powerful metaphors to convey the subtle nuances of a conversation between two people, highlighting the unspoken tensions and emotions that exist beneath the surface.
The poem begins with a description of the setting, which is a dimly lit room with a fire burning in the hearth. The two people in the room are engaged in a conversation, but the tone of their voices suggests that there is an underlying tension between them. Aiken uses the metaphor of the fire to symbolize the passion and intensity of their emotions, which are simmering just beneath the surface.
As the conversation continues, Aiken uses a series of metaphors to convey the complex emotions that the two people are feeling. For example, he describes the woman's voice as "a bird that flutters in a cage," suggesting that she is trapped by her own emotions and unable to express herself fully. Similarly, he describes the man's voice as "a snake that coils and hisses," suggesting that he is hiding something or holding back his true feelings.
Throughout the poem, Aiken uses vivid imagery and powerful metaphors to convey the complex emotions that the two people are feeling. For example, he describes the woman's eyes as "two pools of shadow," suggesting that she is hiding something or holding back her true feelings. Similarly, he describes the man's eyes as "two flames that flicker and die," suggesting that he is struggling to maintain his composure and control his emotions.
As the conversation continues, Aiken introduces a new metaphor, describing the woman's voice as "a harp that trembles in the wind." This metaphor suggests that the woman is vulnerable and exposed, and that her emotions are easily swayed by the words and actions of others. Similarly, he describes the man's voice as "a sword that flashes in the sun," suggesting that he is strong and confident, but also dangerous and unpredictable.
As the conversation reaches its climax, Aiken uses a powerful metaphor to convey the intensity of the emotions that the two people are feeling. He describes their voices as "two flames that meet and merge," suggesting that their emotions have finally come to a head and that they are now fully exposed to each other.
In conclusion, The House Of Dust: Part 03: 11: Conversation: Undertones by Conrad Aiken is a powerful and evocative poem that explores the complexities of human relationships and the underlying emotions that often go unspoken. Through his use of vivid imagery and powerful metaphors, Aiken conveys the subtle nuances of a conversation between two people, highlighting the unspoken tensions and emotions that exist beneath the surface. This poem is a timeless masterpiece that continues to resonate with readers today, reminding us of the power of language and the importance of understanding the complex emotions that drive our relationships with others.
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