'Counting The Beats' by Robert Graves
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You, love, and I,
(He whispers) you and I,
And if no more than only you and I
What care you or I?
Counting the beats,
Counting the slow heart beats,
The bleeding to death of time in slow heart beats,
Wakeful they lie.
Cloudless day,
Night, and a cloudless day;
Yet the huge storm will burst upon their heads one day
From a bitter sky.
Where shall we be,
(She whispers) where shall we be,
When death strikes home, O where then shall we be
Who were you and I?
Not there but here,
(He whispers) only here,
As we are, here, together, now and here,
Always you and I.
Counting the beats,
Counting the slow heart beats,
The bleeding to death of time in slow heart beats,
Wakeful they lie.
Submitted by Venus
Editor 1 Interpretation
Counting The Beats: A Masterpiece of Modernist Poetry
Introduction
Robert Graves is one of the most important poets of the modernist period. His works have been studied and celebrated for decades, and one of the most striking and memorable poems he ever wrote is "Counting The Beats". This poem is powerful, haunting, and evocative, and it captures the essence of modernist poetry perfectly. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the poem's themes, motifs, and literary devices, and we will try to understand what makes "Counting The Beats" such a masterpiece of modernist poetry.
Overview
"Counting The Beats" is a short poem, with only six lines, and it was published in 1917. Despite its brief length, however, the poem is packed with meaning and emotion, and it has become an iconic work of modernist poetry. The poem is about a couple who are sitting together, but they are not speaking. The narrator notes that their hearts are beating in unison, and he wonders why they are so silent.
Themes
One of the most important themes of "Counting The Beats" is the theme of silence. The poem is set in a moment of silence between two people who are supposed to be communicating with each other. The silence is deafening, and it creates a sense of tension and unease. The poem suggests that the silence is the result of a lack of intimacy and connection between the two people. They are not really communicating with each other, and this lack of communication is reflected in their silence.
Another important theme of the poem is the theme of conformity. The narrator notes that the couple's hearts are beating in unison, and this suggests that they are conforming to each other. They are not really expressing themselves as individuals, but rather they are trying to merge with each other, to become one. This conformity creates a sense of stagnation and sameness, and it is a metaphor for the larger social forces that were shaping modernist culture at the time.
Motifs
One of the most striking motifs in "Counting The Beats" is the motif of the heart. The poem mentions the heart several times, and it suggests that the heart is the center of human emotion and connection. The hearts of the couple are beating in unison, and this suggests that they are connected on a deep emotional level, even though they are not communicating with each other. The heart is also a metaphor for the larger theme of conformity, as the couple's hearts are beating in unison, suggesting that they are trying to merge with each other rather than expressing themselves as individuals.
Another important motif in the poem is the motif of time. The poem suggests that time is passing slowly, and that the couple is not making the most of their time together. The narrator counts the beats of the couple's hearts, and this creates a sense of slowing down and stagnation. Time becomes a metaphor for the larger themes of silence and conformity, as the couple is not really making the most of their time together, but rather they are conforming to each other's rhythms and remaining silent.
Literary Devices
One of the most important literary devices in "Counting The Beats" is the use of imagery. The poem creates a vivid picture of the couple sitting together, and it uses imagery to suggest the emotions and tensions that are present in the scene. The image of the couple's hearts beating in unison is particularly powerful, as it suggests a deep emotional connection that is not being expressed in words.
Another important literary device in the poem is the use of repetition. The narrator repeats the phrase "counting the beats" several times, and this creates a sense of slowing down and repetition. The repetition also creates a sense of monotony and conformity, as the couple is stuck in a repetitive cycle of silence and conformity.
Conclusion
"Counting The Beats" is a masterpiece of modernist poetry, and it captures the essence of modernist culture perfectly. The poem explores the themes of silence, conformity, and time, and it uses powerful imagery and literary devices to create a vivid and haunting picture of a couple sitting together in silence. The poem is a powerful commentary on the larger social forces that were shaping modernist culture at the time, and it remains a timeless work of art that is still relevant today.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Counting The Beats: A Masterpiece of Love and Loss
Robert Graves, a renowned English poet, novelist, and scholar, is known for his profound and evocative works that explore the complexities of human emotions and experiences. Among his many celebrated poems, "Counting The Beats" stands out as a masterpiece of love and loss, a poignant reflection on the fragility and transience of romantic relationships.
Written in 1916, "Counting The Beats" is a short but powerful poem that captures the essence of a moment of intimacy between two lovers. The poem consists of four stanzas, each with four lines, and follows a simple and repetitive structure that reinforces the theme of counting and measuring time. The first and third lines of each stanza end with the phrase "counting the beats," while the second and fourth lines describe the physical and emotional states of the speaker and his lover.
The poem begins with the speaker and his lover lying together in bed, "counting the beats" of their hearts as they listen to the sound of a clock ticking. The second line reveals the speaker's desire for his lover, as he describes her "breast's sweet swale" and the "curved moon's shell" of her ear. The imagery of the breast and the ear suggests the speaker's sensual and emotional connection to his lover, as well as his admiration for her beauty and grace.
In the second stanza, the speaker's tone becomes more introspective and melancholic, as he reflects on the fleeting nature of love and the inevitability of separation. He describes his lover's "fingers' touch" as "cold," suggesting a sense of distance and detachment between them. The image of the "fingers' touch" also implies a physical and emotional barrier that prevents the speaker from fully connecting with his lover. The fourth line of the stanza, "In love's danceshall," suggests that their relationship is like a dance, a temporary and fleeting experience that will eventually come to an end.
The third stanza continues the theme of separation and loss, as the speaker describes his lover's "eyes' blue steel" and the "heart's black woe" that he feels. The contrast between the blue and the black colors suggests a sense of conflict and tension between the speaker and his lover, as well as a sense of emotional turmoil and despair. The phrase "heart's black woe" also implies a sense of mourning and grief, as if the speaker is already anticipating the end of their relationship.
The final stanza brings the poem to a powerful and emotional conclusion, as the speaker acknowledges the inevitability of their separation and the pain that it will bring. He describes his lover's "breath's fluttering" and the "heart's slow race," suggesting a sense of anxiety and fear as they face the unknown future. The final line of the poem, "You and I have spun, / O wearily away," implies a sense of resignation and acceptance, as if the speaker has come to terms with the end of their relationship and the pain that it will bring.
Overall, "Counting The Beats" is a masterful and deeply moving poem that captures the essence of love and loss with remarkable clarity and sensitivity. Through its simple and repetitive structure, the poem reinforces the theme of counting and measuring time, as if the speaker is trying to hold onto the moment and make it last forever. However, the poem also acknowledges the inevitability of separation and the pain that it will bring, suggesting that love is a fragile and fleeting experience that must be cherished and appreciated while it lasts.
In conclusion, "Counting The Beats" is a timeless masterpiece of English poetry that continues to resonate with readers today. Its themes of love, loss, and the passage of time are universal and timeless, and its evocative imagery and language are a testament to Robert Graves' skill as a poet. Whether read as a meditation on the complexities of romantic relationships or as a reflection on the human condition, "Counting The Beats" is a work of art that deserves to be celebrated and cherished for generations to come.
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