'Words For Departure' by Louise Bogan
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Nothing was remembered, nothing forgotten.
When we awoke, wagons were passing on the warm summer pavements,
The window-sills were wet from rain in the night,
Birds scattered and settled over chimneypots
As among grotesque trees.
Nothing was accepted, nothing looked beyond.
Slight-voiced bells separated hour from hour,
The afternoon sifted coolness
And people drew together in streets becoming deserted.
There was a moon, and light in a shop-front,
And dusk falling like precipitous water.
Hand clasped hand
Forehead still bowed to forehead--
Nothing was lost, nothing possessed
There was no gift nor denial.
2
I have remembered you.
You were not the town visited once,
Nor the road falling behind running feet.
You were as awkward as flesh
And lighter than frost or ashes.
You were the rind,
And the white-juiced apple,
The song, and the words waiting for music.
3
You have learned the beginning;
Go from mine to the other.
Be together; eat, dance, despair,
Sleep, be threatened, endure.
You will know the way of that.
But at the end, be insolent;
Be absurd--strike the thing short off;
Be mad--only do not let talk
Wear the bloom from silence.
And go away without fire or lantern
Let there be some uncertainty about your departure.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Words For Departure: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
Introduction
Louise Bogan's "Words For Departure" is a classic poem that explores the theme of separation and loss. The poem is a powerful expression of the speaker's emotions as they bid farewell to a loved one. Through the use of vivid imagery, metaphors, and poetic devices, Bogan captures the essence of the speaker's feelings and conveys them to the reader in a way that is both moving and profound. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the various elements of the poem that make it a timeless work of art.
Historical Background
Before delving into the poem itself, it is important to understand the historical context in which it was written. Louise Bogan was a prolific American poet who lived from 1897 to 1970. She was a leading figure of the Modernist movement in American poetry, which emphasized experimentation and innovation in form and content. Bogan's poetry was characterized by its precision, its emotional intensity, and its focus on themes of love, loss, and the human condition.
"Words For Departure" was published in 1923, at a time when the world was still reeling from the devastation of World War I. The war had left an indelible mark on the psyche of the Western world, and its effects were felt in every aspect of life. Bogan's poem reflects this sense of loss and dislocation, as well as the need to find meaning and purpose in a world that had been shattered by war.
Analysis
The first line of "Words For Departure" sets the tone for the entire poem: "I have come to the borders of sleep." Here, the speaker is on the threshold of a new state of consciousness, one that is characterized by a sense of detachment and distance from the physical world. As the poem unfolds, we see that this detachment is a metaphor for the speaker's emotional state, as they prepare to say goodbye to someone they love.
The second stanza introduces the image of the "drowned man" as a symbol of the speaker's despair. The drowned man is a powerful metaphor for the sense of overwhelming loss that the speaker feels. The image of the drowned man is also an allusion to the myth of Orpheus, who descended into the underworld to retrieve his beloved Eurydice. The allusion to this myth suggests that the speaker is embarking on a similar journey, one that will take them into the depths of their own emotions.
The third stanza introduces the theme of memory, as the speaker reflects on the past and the memories they have shared with their loved one. The image of the "burned-out lamp" is a powerful symbol of the transience of life and the impermanence of human relationships. The image of the "fading stars" likewise underscores the fleeting nature of human existence and the need to find meaning in the midst of transience.
The fourth stanza introduces the theme of separation, as the speaker prepares to say goodbye to their loved one. The image of the "dying flame" is a poignant reminder of the inevitability of death and the impermanence of all things. The image of the "wasted hours" likewise underscores the sense of loss and regret that the speaker feels as they contemplate the end of their relationship.
The final stanza brings the poem to a close with a powerful image of transcendence. The image of the "distant music" suggests that there is a higher reality beyond the physical world, one that transcends the limitations of time and space. The final lines of the poem, "I have come to the borders of sleep, / The unfathomable deep / Forest where all must lose / Their way," suggest that the speaker is on the verge of a spiritual awakening, one that will enable them to find meaning and purpose in the face of loss and separation.
Interpretation
"Words For Departure" is a powerful expression of the human experience of loss and separation. The poem speaks to the universal human longing for love and connection, and the pain that is felt when those connections are broken. Through the use of vivid imagery, metaphors, and poetic devices, Bogan captures the essence of this experience and conveys it to the reader in a way that is both moving and profound.
At its core, "Words For Departure" is a meditation on the transience of human existence and the need to find meaning and purpose in the face of loss and separation. The poem suggests that there is a higher reality beyond the physical world, one that transcends the limitations of time and space. This transcendence is not an escape from reality but rather a deeper understanding of it, one that enables the speaker to find meaning and purpose even in the midst of loss and despair.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "Words For Departure" is a timeless work of art that continues to resonate with readers today. Its themes of love, loss, and the human condition speak to the universal human experience, and its use of vivid imagery, metaphors, and poetic devices make it a powerful and moving expression of the human spirit. As we contemplate the poem's final lines, we are reminded of the words of T.S. Eliot, who wrote that "we shall not cease from exploration, and the end of all our exploring will be to arrive where we started and know the place for the first time." In "Words For Departure," Louise Bogan invites us to embark on that journey of exploration, and to find meaning and purpose in the midst of loss and separation.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Words For Departure: A Poem of Heartbreak and Resilience
Louise Bogan’s poem “Words For Departure” is a poignant and powerful exploration of the pain of heartbreak and the resilience required to move on. Through vivid imagery and evocative language, Bogan captures the complex emotions of a person who has been left behind by a lover, and the struggle to find meaning and purpose in the aftermath of such a devastating loss.
The poem begins with a stark and simple statement: “I have come to the end of love.” This opening line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is characterized by a sense of finality and resignation. The speaker acknowledges that the relationship has run its course, and that there is nothing left to be done but to accept the reality of the situation and move on.
However, this acceptance is not easy, and the speaker is haunted by memories of the past. Bogan writes, “I remember the bright, sharp, bitter taste – / Strawberries in a white bowl, / Ice, sugar, milk, the bite of a spoon.” These sensory details evoke a sense of nostalgia and longing, as the speaker recalls the sweetness of the past and the pain of the present.
Despite this pain, however, the speaker is determined to find a way forward. Bogan writes, “I shall go back again / To the bleak shore / And build a little shanty / On the sand.” This image of the speaker building a shanty on the shore is a powerful symbol of resilience and determination. It suggests that even in the face of heartbreak and loss, there is still the possibility of creating something new and meaningful.
The poem continues with a series of vivid and evocative images that capture the speaker’s struggle to come to terms with the end of the relationship. Bogan writes, “The wind will blow / The sand will burn / I will roast myself / A grey-haired, bitter man.” These lines suggest a sense of isolation and despair, as the speaker confronts the harsh realities of life without their lover.
However, even in the midst of this despair, the speaker finds moments of beauty and hope. Bogan writes, “I shall watch the ferry-boats / And they will take me away, / Wearing a scarlet coat, / And a cap of grey.” This image of the speaker watching the ferry-boats suggests a sense of longing and yearning, as the speaker imagines a future in which they are able to move on and find new experiences and adventures.
Ultimately, “Words For Departure” is a poem about the resilience of the human spirit in the face of heartbreak and loss. Through vivid imagery and evocative language, Bogan captures the complex emotions of a person who has been left behind by a lover, and the struggle to find meaning and purpose in the aftermath of such a devastating loss. Despite the pain and despair that the speaker experiences, they are ultimately able to find moments of beauty and hope, and to build a new life for themselves on the shores of their own resilience.
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