'Absences' by Donald Justice
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It's snowing this afternoon and there are no flowers.
There is only this sound of falling, quiet and remote,
Like the memory of scales descending the white keys
Of a childhood piano--outside the window, palms!
And the heavy head of the cereus, inclining,
Soon to let down its white or yellow-white.
Now, only these poor snow-flowers in a heap,
Like the memory of a white dress cast down . . .
So much has fallen.
And I, who have listened for a step
All afternoon, hear it now, but already falling away,
Already in memory. And the terrible scales descending
On the silent piano; the snow; and the absent flowers abounding.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Absences: A Masterpiece of Poetic Elegance
When it comes to the genre of poetry, the interpretations and literary critiques can be as varied and complex as the poems themselves. Some poems can be straightforward, with their meaning and message clearly conveyed through simple words and rhyming schemes. Others, however, require a closer look, a deeper understanding of the nuances and symbolism within, and a willingness to probe the complexities of the human experience.
Donald Justice's poem, "Absences," falls into the latter category. At first glance, it may seem like a simple reflection on the absence of a loved one, but upon closer examination, it reveals a rich tapestry of emotions, memories, and unanswered questions. In this literary criticism and interpretation, I will delve into the poem's themes, structure, and language, and explore the ways in which Justice uses poetic devices to create a powerful and moving work of art.
Themes
The central theme of "Absences" is, of course, the absence of a loved one. Justice's speaker is haunted by memories of a person who is no longer there, someone who has left a profound mark on their life. The poem is not just about missing someone, but about the complex ways in which that absence affects us. The speaker is not just sad, but bewildered, frustrated, and even angry at times. The poem is not just a lament, but an exploration of the human psyche in the face of loss.
Another theme that runs throughout the poem is the relationship between memory and reality. The speaker's memories of the absent person are vivid and powerful, but they are also fragmented and incomplete. The speaker struggles to reconcile these memories with the reality of the absence, and the result is a sense of disorientation and confusion. The poem raises important questions about the nature of memory, and how it shapes our understanding of the world around us.
Finally, "Absences" explores the idea of time and its impact on our lives. The poem's speaker is acutely aware of the passing of time, and how it changes everything. Memories fade, people leave, and the world keeps moving on. The poem is a meditation on the transience of life, and the ways in which we try to hold onto what we can.
Structure
"Absences" is a free verse poem, without a strict rhyme or meter. However, the poem's structure is still carefully crafted, with each line and stanza contributing to the overall effect. The poem is composed of ten tercets, or three-line stanzas, with a final single line. This structure creates a sense of musicality and rhythm, even without a formal rhyme scheme.
The poem's use of enjambment, or the continuation of a sentence or phrase beyond the end of a line, adds to the poem's sense of movement and fluidity. Each line flows into the next, creating a sense of continuity and connection. This is especially effective in the poem's final stanza, where the speaker's thoughts seem to spill over the edge of the page.
Language
Justice's use of language in "Absences" is masterful, with each word and phrase carefully chosen to convey the poem's complex emotions. The poem is full of vivid imagery and figurative language, with metaphors and similes that add depth and complexity.
One of the most striking images in the poem is the repeated use of the word "silence." The speaker is haunted by the silence left behind by the absent person, and this silence takes on a life of its own. It is a palpable presence in the poem, a reminder of what is missing. The speaker's memories are also full of silence, with gaps and pauses that create a sense of emptiness.
Another powerful image is the use of light and dark. The speaker's memories are often suffused with light, with images of sunny days and bright colors. But these memories are also tinged with darkness, with shadows and the sense of something lurking just out of sight. This contrast between light and dark adds to the poem's sense of tension and unease.
Interpretation
So, what is "Absences" really about? To me, the poem is an exploration of the complexity of loss. The speaker is not just mourning the absence of a loved one, but grappling with the ways in which that absence has changed them. The memories of the absent person are powerful and vivid, but they are also incomplete and fragmented. The speaker is left with a sense of confusion and disorientation, unsure of how to reconcile these memories with the reality of the absence.
The poem also raises important questions about the nature of memory and how it shapes our understanding of the world. The speaker's memories are not just a source of comfort, but a source of pain and confusion. They are both beautiful and haunting, and the speaker is left with a sense of ambivalence towards them. This ambivalence is captured perfectly in the final line of the poem, where the speaker admits that "it is not enough / to have memories."
Finally, "Absences" is a meditation on the transience of life and the ways in which we try to hold onto what we can. The speaker is acutely aware of the passing of time, and how it changes everything. Memories fade, people leave, and the world keeps moving on. The poem is a reminder that we cannot hold onto everything, that some things will slip away no matter how hard we try to hold onto them.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "Absences" is a masterpiece of poetic elegance. Justice's use of language, structure, and imagery is impeccable, creating a powerful and moving work of art. The poem is not just a reflection on the absence of a loved one, but an exploration of the complex emotions and questions that arise in the face of loss. It is a meditation on memory, time, and the transience of life, and a reminder that even in the face of absence, life goes on.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Absences: A Poem of Longing and Loss
Donald Justice’s poem “Absences” is a hauntingly beautiful work that explores the themes of longing, loss, and the passage of time. Through its vivid imagery and carefully crafted language, the poem captures the essence of what it means to miss someone deeply, and the pain that comes with the realization that they are gone forever.
At its core, “Absences” is a poem about memory. The speaker is haunted by the memory of a loved one who is no longer with them, and the poem is a meditation on the ways in which memory can both comfort and torment us. The opening lines of the poem set the tone for what is to come:
“Rain falls on the roof but not on me”
These lines are deceptively simple, but they contain a wealth of meaning. The rain falling on the roof is a metaphor for the passage of time, and the fact that it does not fall on the speaker suggests that they are somehow outside of time, frozen in their grief. The rain is also a symbol of the tears that the speaker cannot shed, as they are too consumed by their memories to allow themselves to fully feel their emotions.
The poem then goes on to describe the various ways in which the speaker is reminded of their loved one. They see their absence in the empty chair at the table, in the unmade bed, and in the silence that fills the house. These images are all powerful in their simplicity, and they serve to underscore the enormity of the loss that the speaker has experienced.
One of the most striking aspects of “Absences” is the way in which it uses language to convey the speaker’s emotions. The poem is full of vivid, sensory details that bring the world of the poem to life. For example, the speaker describes the “smell of rain” and the “sound of footsteps” as they move through the empty house. These details serve to ground the poem in reality, and they make the speaker’s grief feel all the more real and palpable.
Another notable feature of the poem is its use of repetition. The phrase “I remember” appears several times throughout the poem, and each time it is repeated, it takes on a slightly different meaning. At first, the phrase is a simple statement of fact, a way of acknowledging the speaker’s memories. But as the poem progresses, the phrase becomes more and more fraught with emotion, until it finally reaches a crescendo in the final lines:
“I remember you loved me. You loved me, too.”
These lines are devastating in their simplicity, and they serve to drive home the enormity of the speaker’s loss. The repetition of the phrase “you loved me” underscores the depth of the connection between the speaker and their loved one, and the fact that they are no longer there to share that love is almost too much to bear.
In many ways, “Absences” is a poem about the passage of time. The rain falling on the roof is a reminder that time marches on, even when we are consumed by grief. The empty chair at the table and the unmade bed are reminders that life goes on, even when we are no longer able to share it with the people we love. And yet, despite all of this, the speaker’s memories remain, a testament to the enduring power of love and the human spirit.
In conclusion, “Absences” is a powerful and deeply moving poem that explores the themes of longing, loss, and memory. Through its vivid imagery and carefully crafted language, the poem captures the essence of what it means to miss someone deeply, and the pain that comes with the realization that they are gone forever. It is a testament to the enduring power of love, and a reminder that even in the face of loss, our memories can sustain us and keep us connected to the people we have loved and lost.
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