'Braiding' by Li-Young Lee
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1.
We two sit on our bed, you
between my legs, your back to me, your head
slightly bowed, that I may brush and braid
your hair. My father
did this for my mother,
just as I do for you. One hand
holds the hem of you hair, the other
works the brush. Both hands climb
as the strokes grow
longer, until I use not only my wrists,
but my arms, then my shoulders, my whole body
rocking in a rower's rhythm, a lover's
even time, as the tangles are undone,
and brush and bare hand run the thick,
fluent length of your hair, whose wintry scent
comes, a faint, human musk.
2.
Last night the room was so cold
I dreamed we were in Pittsburgh again, where winter
persisted and we fell asleep in the last seat
of the 71 Negley, dark mornings going to work.
How I wish we didn't hate those years
while we lived them.
Those were days of books,
days of silences stacked high
as the ceiling of that great, dim hall
where we studied. I remember
the thick, oak tabletops, how cool
they felt against my face
when I lay my head down and slept.
3.
How long your hair has grown.
Gradually, December.
4.
There will come a day
one of us will have to imagine this: you,
after your bath, crosslegged on the bed, sleepy, patient,
while I braid your hair.
5.
Here, what's made, these braids, unmakes
itself in time, and must be made
again, within and against
time. So I braid
your hair each day.
My fingers gather, measure hair,
hook, pull and twist hair and hair.
Deft, quick, they plait,
weave, articulate lock and lock, to make
and make these braids, which point
the direction of my going, of all our continuous going.
And though what's made does not abide,
my making is steadfast, and, besides, there is a making
of which this making-in-time is just a part,
a making which abides
beyond the hands which rise in the combing,
the hands which fall in the braiding,
trailing hair in each stage of its unbraiding.
6.
Love, how the hours accumulate. Uncountable.
The trees grow tall, some people walk away
and diminish forever.
The damp pewter days slip around without warning
and we cross over one year and one year.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Braiding: A Poem of Beauty and Intimacy
Li-Young Lee's "Braiding" is a mesmerizing poem that captures the beauty and intimacy of human relationships. Through a series of vivid images and metaphors, the poet explores the dynamics between a mother and her two daughters, and the way in which they braid each other's hair. In this essay, I will provide a detailed literary criticism and interpretation of "Braiding", highlighting its themes, motifs, and stylistic features.
The Beauty of Braiding
One of the most striking things about "Braiding" is its palpable sense of beauty. The poem is filled with sensory details that evoke the sights, sounds, and textures of the act of braiding. We can see the "three women in the house," "sitting on the floor / in the living room," "braiding," "unbraiding," and "braiding" their hair again. We can hear the "sounds of the comb / against hair," and the "talking and laughing" that accompanies the braiding. We can feel the "smoothness" of the hair, and the "slight pull" of the braiding process.
All of these sensory details combine to create a rich tapestry of beauty, one that speaks to the deep intimacy and love that exists between the mother and her daughters. The braiding of hair is a ritual that is both practical (keeping hair neat and tidy) and symbolic (expressing affection and care). By focusing on the act of braiding, Lee is able to convey the depth of feeling that exists between the three women, and the beauty that can be found in even the most mundane of activities.
The Power of Memory
Another key theme in "Braiding" is the power of memory. Throughout the poem, Lee uses images of the past to evoke a sense of nostalgia and longing. We see the "old days," "years ago," "the way things were," and the "memory / of their mother's hands." These images suggest that the braiding ritual is not just a present-day activity, but one that has been passed down from generation to generation.
As the poem progresses, we see that the mother's hands are a powerful symbol of memory and connection. The daughters recall "their mother's hands / moving, not talking / their mother's hands / braiding their hair / as if it were rope." These images suggest that the mother's hands are a kind of bridge between past and present, connecting the three women to each other and to their shared history.
At the same time, however, the poem also suggests that memory can be a double-edged sword. The daughters recall the past with a mix of fondness and sadness, as they recognize that those days are gone forever. They also acknowledge that their mother's hands are not as nimble as they once were, and that the braiding ritual may not last forever. The poem thus suggests that memory is both a source of comfort and a reminder of the passage of time.
The Importance of Touch
A third theme in "Braiding" is the importance of touch. Throughout the poem, Lee emphasizes the physicality of the braiding ritual, highlighting the way in which the three women touch each other's hair, skin, and hands. We see the "fingers / threading through hair," the "knuckles / brushing against foreheads," and the "hands / resting on shoulders."
These images suggest that touch is a vital part of human connection, and that the act of braiding is a way for the three women to express their love and affection for each other. At the same time, however, the poem also suggests that touch can be a fraught and complicated thing. The daughters recall "the slight pull / at the nape of the neck," and the way in which the mother's hands were sometimes "rough" or "tired."
These images suggest that touch can be both pleasurable and painful, and that the braiding ritual is not always easy or comfortable. Nonetheless, the poem suggests that the physical closeness that comes with braiding is an essential part of the family bond.
Stylistic Features
In addition to its themes and motifs, "Braiding" is notable for its stylistic features. One of the most striking things about the poem is its use of repetition. The phrases "braiding," "unbraiding," and "braiding again" are repeated multiple times, creating a kind of rhythmic pattern that mirrors the braiding process itself.
The poem also makes use of metaphor and simile, comparing the hair to "rope," the braids to "braid-ropes," and the mother's hands to "birds' wings." These images serve to heighten the sensory impact of the poem, and to create a vivid, almost tactile sense of the braiding ritual.
Finally, the poem's structure is notable for its simplicity and elegance. The poem is divided into three stanzas, each of which contains six lines. The lines are short and compact, with a simple, almost conversational tone. This structure serves to reinforce the sense of intimacy and familiarity that exists between the three women, and to highlight the beauty and simplicity of the braiding ritual itself.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Li-Young Lee's "Braiding" is a beautiful and evocative poem that captures the intimacy and love that exists between a mother and her two daughters. Through a series of sensory details, metaphors, and repetition, the poet creates a vivid and memorable portrait of the braiding ritual, and explores themes of memory, touch, and the power of family bonds. By the end of the poem, we feel as though we have been invited into the inner sanctum of the three women's lives, and have been privileged to witness a moment of beauty and connection that will stay with us long after the poem has ended.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Braiding by Li-Young Lee is a classic poem that explores the themes of love, memory, and identity. The poem is a beautiful and intricate portrayal of the relationship between a father and his son, and the ways in which their shared experiences and memories are woven together like strands of hair in a braid.
The poem begins with the speaker describing his father's hands, which are "like birds / fluttering to find a resting place." This image immediately sets the tone for the poem, suggesting a sense of movement and restlessness, as well as a delicate and fleeting quality. The hands are described as "gnarled and rough," which suggests that the father has lived a long and difficult life, and has experienced many hardships.
Despite this, the speaker notes that his father's hands are also "gentle and quick," suggesting a sense of tenderness and care. This contrast between roughness and gentleness is a recurring theme throughout the poem, and is perhaps reflective of the complex nature of the father-son relationship.
The speaker goes on to describe how his father used to braid his hair when he was a child, and how this act of braiding became a symbol of their bond. The act of braiding is described in great detail, with the speaker noting how his father's hands would "gather strands / of hair, and weave them / into a rope / that would pull / my head back."
This image of the father pulling his son's head back is a powerful one, suggesting a sense of control and dominance. However, the speaker notes that he never felt afraid or uncomfortable during these moments, but rather "safe and strong." This suggests that the act of braiding was not just a physical one, but also an emotional one, in which the father was able to provide his son with a sense of security and protection.
As the poem progresses, the speaker reflects on how the act of braiding became a ritual between him and his father, and how it was a way for them to connect and share their experiences. The speaker notes that his father would often tell him stories while braiding his hair, and that these stories became a part of their shared history.
The act of braiding is also described as a way for the father to pass on his knowledge and wisdom to his son. The speaker notes that his father would often teach him about the natural world while braiding his hair, and that these lessons were "like a prayer / whispered into my ear."
This image of the father whispering prayers into his son's ear is a powerful one, suggesting a sense of intimacy and closeness. It also suggests that the act of braiding was not just a physical one, but also a spiritual one, in which the father was able to impart his values and beliefs onto his son.
Towards the end of the poem, the speaker reflects on how the act of braiding has become a memory, and how it is now something that he looks back on with fondness and nostalgia. The speaker notes that his father is now old and frail, and that his hands are no longer able to braid his hair.
Despite this, the speaker notes that the memory of the act of braiding is still with him, and that it continues to shape his identity and sense of self. The poem ends with the speaker reflecting on how the act of braiding has become a part of his own story, and how it has helped him to understand his own place in the world.
In conclusion, Braiding by Li-Young Lee is a beautiful and poignant poem that explores the themes of love, memory, and identity. The act of braiding is used as a powerful metaphor for the relationship between a father and his son, and the ways in which their shared experiences and memories are woven together like strands of hair in a braid. The poem is a testament to the power of memory and the ways in which our past experiences shape our present and future selves.
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