'Earth-Moon' by Ted Hughes
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Once upon a time there was a person
He was walking along
He met the full burning moon
Rolling slowly twoards him
Crushing the stones and houses by the wayside.
She shut his eyes from the glare.
He drew his dagger
And stabbed and stabbed and stabbed.
The cry that quit the moon's wounds
Circled the earth.
The moon shrank, like a punctured airship,
Shrank, shrank, smaller, smaller,
Till it was nothing
But a silk handkerchief, torn,
And wet as tears.
The person picked it up. He walked on
Into moonless night
Carrying his strange trophy.
Submitted by Peter Carter
Editor 1 Interpretation
Earth-Moon: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
Ted Hughes is a renowned poet who is known for his evocative and often dark poetry. His poem, "Earth-Moon," is a thought-provoking piece that explores the relationship between the earth and the moon.
The poem opens with the line, "This is the light of the mind, cold and planetary." This line sets the tone for the rest of the piece. The "light of the mind" suggests that the poem is going to be introspective and reflective. The use of the word "planetary" reinforces this idea by suggesting that the poem is going to explore the relationship between the earth and the moon on a grand scale.
The second line of the poem, "The trees of the mind are black," further emphasizes the idea that the poem is going to be introspective. The use of the word "mind" suggests that the poem is going to explore the speaker's inner thoughts and feelings. The fact that the trees are black gives the reader a sense of foreboding, suggesting that the poem is going to delve into some dark themes.
As the poem progresses, the imagery becomes more vivid. The lines, "The light is blue./ It comes from the sky," paint a picture of a cold, alien landscape. The use of the color blue reinforces the idea that the poem is going to be introspective, as blue is often associated with melancholy and introspection.
The next few lines of the poem are particularly striking. The lines, "The moon's caves light up like a fire/ When I come upon them," suggest that the speaker is exploring the moon. The fact that the caves are lit up like a fire gives the reader a sense of wonder and awe. The idea that the speaker is exploring the moon is reinforced by the next line, "Then they close," which suggests that the speaker is leaving the caves behind.
The lines, "I touch the stones, the resounding brass,/ And I am happy," suggest that the speaker is finding joy in exploring the moon. The use of the word "resounding" suggests that the speaker is exploring an unfamiliar landscape, and the fact that they are happy gives the reader a sense of the wonder and excitement that comes with exploration.
However, the poem takes a darker turn in the next few lines. The lines, "I am happy: I will never be the same./ I will never be the same: I am happy," suggest that the speaker is undergoing a profound change. The repetition of the phrase "I am happy" gives the reader a sense of unease, as it suggests that the speaker is either trying to convince themselves that they are happy or that something terrible has happened to them.
The final lines of the poem, "This is the light of the mind, cold and planetary./ The trees of the mind are black. The light is blue," bring the poem full circle. The repetition of the opening lines suggests that the speaker has not changed fundamentally, despite the profound experience they have undergone.
So what is the poem about? At its core, "Earth-Moon" is about the relationship between the earth and the moon, but it is also about exploration and the human experience. The speaker's exploration of the moon serves as a metaphor for the human experience of exploring the unknown, and the changes that come with such exploration.
The repetition of the opening lines suggests that the speaker has not changed fundamentally, despite the profound experience they have undergone. This suggests that the poem is ultimately about the human condition and the fact that, no matter what we experience, we are still fundamentally the same.
Overall, "Earth-Moon" is a thought-provoking and introspective poem that explores the relationship between the earth and the moon. Its vivid imagery and striking language make it a powerful piece of poetry that will stay with the reader long after they have finished reading it.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Earth-Moon: A Poetic Exploration of the Cosmic Relationship
Ted Hughes, the celebrated poet, has always been fascinated by the mysteries of the universe. His poem Earth-Moon is a beautiful and thought-provoking exploration of the relationship between the two celestial bodies that have been intertwined since the dawn of time. In this 2000-word analysis, we will delve deep into the poem and uncover the hidden meanings and metaphors that make it a classic.
The poem begins with a simple yet powerful statement - "The Moon is the other half of the Earth." This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as it establishes the idea that the Earth and the Moon are not separate entities but are instead two halves of a whole. This idea is reinforced throughout the poem, as Hughes uses vivid imagery and metaphorical language to describe the relationship between the two bodies.
One of the most striking images in the poem is that of the Moon as a "mirror" of the Earth. Hughes describes how the Moon reflects the light of the Sun, just as the Earth reflects the light of the Moon. This creates a sense of symmetry and balance between the two bodies, as if they are constantly reflecting each other's beauty and majesty.
Another powerful metaphor in the poem is that of the Moon as a "ghostly galleon." This image conjures up a sense of mystery and intrigue, as if the Moon is a ship sailing through the vast expanse of space. This metaphor also suggests that the Moon is not just a lifeless rock, but is instead a living, breathing entity that has its own personality and character.
Throughout the poem, Hughes also explores the idea of distance and separation between the Earth and the Moon. He describes how the Moon "floats" in the sky, as if it is just out of reach. This creates a sense of longing and desire, as if the Earth is constantly reaching out to the Moon, trying to bridge the gap between them.
At the same time, however, Hughes also acknowledges the fact that the Earth and the Moon are separated by vast distances. He describes how the Moon is "a quarter of a million miles away," and how it is "forever beyond our touch." This creates a sense of awe and wonder, as if the Earth is humbled by the vastness of the universe and its own smallness in comparison.
One of the most interesting aspects of the poem is the way in which Hughes uses language to create a sense of movement and motion. He describes how the Moon "swims" through the sky, and how it "circles" the Earth like a "dancer." This creates a sense of fluidity and grace, as if the Moon is constantly in motion, always moving and changing.
At the same time, however, Hughes also acknowledges the fact that the Earth and the Moon are locked in a perpetual dance, with the Moon always facing the same side of the Earth. He describes how the Moon is "fixed" in its orbit, and how it is "forever turning" its face towards the Earth. This creates a sense of stability and constancy, as if the Earth and the Moon are bound together in an unbreakable bond.
Overall, Earth-Moon is a beautiful and thought-provoking poem that explores the relationship between two of the most important celestial bodies in our solar system. Through vivid imagery and metaphorical language, Hughes creates a sense of symmetry and balance between the Earth and the Moon, while also acknowledging the vast distances and differences that separate them. The poem is a testament to the beauty and majesty of the universe, and a reminder of our own smallness in comparison.
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