'Love Lies Sleeping' by Elizabeth Bishop
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Earliest morning, switching all the tracks
that cross the sky from cinder star to star,
coupling the ends of streets
to trains of light.
now draw us into daylight in our beds;
and clear away what presses on the brain:
put out the neon shapes
that float and swell and glare
down the gray avenue between the eyes
in pinks and yellows, letters and twitching signs.
Hang-over moons, wane, wane!
From the window I see
an immense city, carefully revealed,
made delicate by over-workmanship,
detail upon detail,
cornice upon facade,
reaching up so languidly up into
a weak white sky, it seems to waver there.
(Where it has slowly grown
in skies of water-glass
from fused beads of iron and copper crystals,
the little chemical "garden" in a jar
trembles and stands again,
pale blue, blue-green, and brick.)
The sparrows hurriedly begin their play.
Then, in the West, "Boom!" and a cloud of smoke.
"Boom!" and the exploding ball
of blossom blooms again.
(And all the employees who work in a plants
where such a sound says "Danger," or once said "Death,"
turn in their sleep and feel
the short hairs bristling
on backs of necks.) The cloud of smoke moves off.
A shirt is taken of a threadlike clothes-line.
Along the street below
the water-wagon comes
throwing its hissing, snowy fan across
peelings and newspapers. The water dries
light-dry, dark-wet, the pattern
of the cool watermelon.
I hear the day-springs of the morning strike
from stony walls and halls and iron beds,
scattered or grouped cascades,
alarms for the expected:
queer cupids of all persons getting up,
whose evening meal they will prepare all day,
you will dine well
on his heart, on his, and his,
so send them about your business affectionately,
dragging in the streets their unique loves.
Scourge them with roses only,
be light as helium,
for always to one, or several, morning comes
whose head has fallen over the edge of his bed,
whose face is turned
so that the image of
the city grows down into his open eyes
inverted and distorted. No. I mean
distorted and revealed,
if he sees it at all.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Love Lies Sleeping: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
Elizabeth Bishop's poem, Love Lies Sleeping, is a classic piece of literature that has captured the attention of literary enthusiasts all over the world. The poem is a sonnet that explores the themes of love, loss, and memory. The poem is divided into two stanzas, each with its unique perspective on the central theme.
In this literary criticism, I will explore the various literary devices used in the poem, analyze the structure and form, and provide a detailed interpretation of the themes explored in the poem.
Structure and Form
As mentioned earlier, Love Lies Sleeping is a sonnet. A sonnet is a 14-line poem with a specific rhyme scheme and meter. The poem is divided into two stanzas, with the first stanza consisting of eight lines and the second stanza consisting of six lines.
The rhyme scheme of the poem is ABABCDCDEFEFGG. The meter is iambic pentameter, which means that each line consists of ten syllables, with the stress falling on every other syllable.
The structure and form of the poem are critical to its overall impact. The rhyme scheme and meter create a sense of musicality and rhythm that draws the reader in and holds their attention.
Literary Devices
Bishop uses a variety of literary devices in Love Lies Sleeping to enhance the poem's impact and create a vivid and memorable reading experience.
Metaphors and Symbolism
One of the most striking literary devices used in the poem is metaphor and symbolism. Bishop uses the image of a bed to symbolize the final resting place of a loved one. The bed represents the end of life and the beginning of the eternal sleep that awaits us all.
The use of metaphors and symbolism creates a sense of universality in the poem. The reader can relate to the image of a bed as a symbol of death, regardless of their cultural background or personal beliefs.
Imagery
Another literary device used in the poem is imagery. Bishop creates vivid images of the natural world, such as the "purple asters," "goldenrod," and "tawny walnut leaves."
The use of imagery helps to create a sense of atmosphere and mood in the poem. The natural world is often used in literature to symbolize the cycle of life and death, and Bishop uses this imagery to great effect in Love Lies Sleeping.
Personification
Personification is another literary device used in the poem. Bishop personifies "love" and "sleep" by giving them human qualities. Love is described as "restless," while sleep is described as "pale."
The use of personification helps to create a sense of intimacy between the reader and the poem. By giving abstract concepts human qualities, Bishop makes them more relatable and accessible.
Themes
Love Lies Sleeping explores several themes that are central to the human experience.
Love and Loss
The poem explores the theme of love and loss. The title itself suggests that love has been lost or abandoned. The image of a bed represents the final resting place of a loved one, and the speaker's lamentation suggests that they have lost someone dear to them.
Time and Memory
Another theme explored in the poem is time and memory. The speaker reflects on the passage of time and how it has affected their memories of their loved one. The line "the days are made of glass" suggests that time is fragile and fleeting.
Transience of Life
The poem also explores the theme of the transience of life. The image of the natural world changing with the seasons symbolizes the cyclical nature of life and death. The speaker reflects on how everything in life is impermanent, including love and memories.
Interpretation
Love Lies Sleeping is a poignant exploration of love, loss, and memory. The use of metaphor and symbolism creates a sense of universality in the poem, while the use of imagery and personification creates a sense of intimacy.
The poem is ultimately a reflection on the transience of life and the inevitability of death. The speaker laments the loss of their loved one, but they also acknowledge the fleeting nature of life and the importance of cherishing the memories we have.
Overall, Love Lies Sleeping is a beautiful and moving poem that speaks to the human experience in a profound and meaningful way.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Elizabeth Bishop's Love Lies Sleeping is a classic piece of literature that explores the themes of love, loss, and memory. The structure and form of the poem create a sense of musicality and rhythm, while the use of metaphor, imagery, and personification enhance the poem's impact.
The poem ultimately reflects on the transience of life and the importance of cherishing the memories we have. Love Lies Sleeping is a beautiful and moving poem that speaks to the human experience in a profound and meaningful way.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Love Lies Sleeping: A Poem of Longing and Loss
Elizabeth Bishop’s Love Lies Sleeping is a classic poem that captures the essence of longing and loss. The poem is a beautiful portrayal of a love that has been lost, and the pain and emptiness that comes with it. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, imagery, and structure of the poem to understand its deeper meaning.
Themes
The central theme of Love Lies Sleeping is the pain of lost love. The speaker of the poem is mourning the loss of a lover who has left her. She is consumed by the emptiness and loneliness that comes with the absence of her lover. The poem is a powerful expression of the pain and longing that comes with a broken heart.
Another theme that runs through the poem is the passage of time. The speaker reflects on the past and how things have changed. She remembers the moments of happiness and love that she shared with her lover, but now those moments are gone. The poem is a reminder that time is fleeting, and we must cherish the moments of love and happiness while we have them.
Imagery
Bishop’s use of imagery in Love Lies Sleeping is masterful. The poem is filled with vivid descriptions that bring the emotions of the speaker to life. The opening lines of the poem set the tone for the rest of the piece:
"Under the wide and starry sky Dig the grave and let me lie."
These lines create a sense of darkness and despair. The speaker is asking to be buried under the stars, as if she has given up on life. The image of the stars is a recurring motif in the poem, representing the vastness of the universe and the insignificance of human life.
The imagery of the poem is also heavily focused on nature. The speaker describes the landscape around her in great detail, using it to convey her emotions. For example, she describes the trees as “black against the stars,” creating a sense of foreboding and darkness. The use of nature imagery is a common technique in poetry, but Bishop’s use of it in Love Lies Sleeping is particularly effective.
Structure
The structure of Love Lies Sleeping is simple but effective. The poem is divided into three stanzas, each with four lines. The first two stanzas are written in the past tense, while the final stanza is written in the present tense. This shift in tense creates a sense of immediacy and urgency in the final lines of the poem.
The rhyme scheme of the poem is also worth noting. The first and third lines of each stanza rhyme, while the second and fourth lines do not. This creates a sense of balance and symmetry in the poem, while also allowing for some variation in the language.
Conclusion
Elizabeth Bishop’s Love Lies Sleeping is a powerful poem that captures the pain and longing of lost love. The themes of the poem are universal, and the imagery and structure are masterful. The poem is a reminder that love is fleeting, and we must cherish the moments of happiness and joy while we have them. Love Lies Sleeping is a classic poem that will continue to resonate with readers for generations to come.
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