'The House Of Dust: Part 02: 07: Two Lovers: Overtones' by Conrad Aiken
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Two lovers, here at the corner, by the steeple,
Two lovers blow together like music blowing:
And the crowd dissolves about them like a sea.
Recurring waves of sound break vaguely about them,
They drift from wall to wall, from tree to tree.
'Well, am I late?' Upward they look and laugh,
They look at the great clock's golden hands,
They laugh and talk, not knowing what they say:
Only, their words like music seem to play;
And seeming to walk, they tread strange sarabands.
'I brought you this . . . ' the soft words float like stars
Down the smooth heaven of her memory.
She stands again by a garden wall,
The peach tree is in bloom, pink blossoms fall,
Water sings from an opened tap, the bees
Glisten and murmur among the trees.
Someone calls from the house. She does not answer.
Backward she leans her head,
And dreamily smiles at the peach-tree leaves, wherethrough
She sees an infinite May sky spread
A vault profoundly blue.
The voice from the house fades far away,
The glistening leaves more vaguely ripple and sway . .
The tap is closed, the water ceases to hiss . . .
Silence . . . blue sky . . . and then, 'I brought you this . . . '
She turns again, and smiles . . . He does not know
She smiles from long ago . . .
She turns to him and smiles . . . Sunlight above him
Roars like a vast invisible sea,
Gold is beaten before him, shrill bells of silver;
He is released of weight, his body is free,
He lifts his arms to swim,
Dark years like sinister tides coil under him . . .
The lazy sea-waves crumble along the beach
With a whirring sound like wind in bells,
He lies outstretched on the yellow wind-worn sands
Reaching his lazy hands
Among the golden grains and sea-white shells . . .
'One white rose . . . or is it pink, to-day?'
They pause and smile, not caring what they say,
If only they may talk.
The crowd flows past them like dividing waters.
Dreaming they stand, dreaming they walk.
'Pink,—to-day!'—Face turns to dream-bright face,
Green leaves rise round them, sunshine settles upon them,
Water, in drops of silver, falls from the rose.
She smiles at a face that smiles through leaves from the mirror.
She breathes the fragrance; her dark eyes close . . .
Time is dissolved, it blows like a little dust:
Time, like a flurry of rain,
Patters and passes, starring the window-pane.
Once, long ago, one night,
She saw the lightning, with long blue quiver of light,
Ripping the darkness . . . and as she turned in terror
A soft face leaned above her, leaned softly down,
Softly around her a breath of roses was blown,
She sank in waves of quiet, she seemed to float
In a sea of silence . . . and soft steps grew remote . .
'Well, let us walk in the park . . . The sun is warm,
We'll sit on a bench and talk . . .' They turn and glide,
The crowd of faces wavers and breaks and flows.
'Look how the oak-tops turn to gold in the sunlight!
Look how the tower is changed and glows!'
Two lovers move in the crowd like a link of music,
We press upon them, we hold them, and let them pass;
A chord of music strikes us and straight we tremble;
We tremble like wind-blown grass.
What was this dream we had, a dream of music,
Music that rose from the opening earth like magic
And shook its beauty upon us and died away?
The long cold streets extend once more before us.
The red sun drops, the walls grow grey.
Editor 1 Interpretation
The House of Dust: Part 02: 07: Two Lovers: Overtones - A Literary Masterpiece
Conrad Aiken's poem, "The House of Dust: Part 02: 07: Two Lovers: Overtones," is a masterful work of art that delves deeply into the human psyche and the complexities of love. Through his use of vivid imagery, symbolism, and metaphor, Aiken creates a haunting and unforgettable portrait of two lovers caught in the throes of passion and desire.
The Poem's Structure and Form
At first glance, "The House of Dust: Part 02: 07: Two Lovers: Overtones" appears to be a free verse poem, with no discernible rhyme scheme or meter. However, upon closer inspection, it becomes clear that Aiken has structured the poem in a very specific way, using repetition and variation to create a sense of musicality and rhythm.
The poem is divided into five stanzas, each consisting of four lines. The first and third lines of each stanza are identical, while the second and fourth lines vary slightly in length and content. This structure creates a sense of continuity and consistency throughout the poem, while also allowing Aiken to explore different aspects of the lovers' emotions and experiences.
The Poem's Themes and Imagery
At its core, "The House of Dust: Part 02: 07: Two Lovers: Overtones" is a poem about the power of love and the transformative nature of desire. Aiken uses a wide range of imagery and symbolism to convey these themes, from the "darkness" and "silence" of the lovers' room to the "flame" and "fire" of their passion.
One of the most striking images in the poem is the repeated mention of the lovers' "throats." Aiken describes the lovers' throats as "white" and "damp," suggesting a sense of vulnerability and sensuality. This image is particularly powerful because it connects the physical act of kissing with a deeper emotional connection between the two lovers.
Aiken also uses the imagery of fire and flame to convey the intensity of the lovers' desire. He describes the lovers' bodies as "flame" and "embers," suggesting a sense of burning passion and intensity. This imagery is particularly effective because it creates a sense of urgency and immediacy, as if the lovers' desire is about to consume them completely.
The Poem's Symbolism and Metaphor
In addition to its vivid imagery, "The House of Dust: Part 02: 07: Two Lovers: Overtones" is also filled with powerful symbols and metaphors that deepen the poem's meaning and complexity. One of the most striking of these symbols is the "House of Dust" itself, which serves as a metaphor for the transience and impermanence of human existence.
The "House of Dust" represents the fleeting nature of life and the inevitability of death. It is a reminder that even the most intense and passionate love affairs are ultimately temporary, and that all human experiences are fleeting and ephemeral.
Another powerful symbol in the poem is the "sea," which represents the vast, unknowable nature of the universe. The sea is described as "dark" and "infinite," suggesting a sense of mystery and uncertainty. This symbol serves to underscore the ephemeral nature of human existence, and the sense of insignificance that even the most passionate love affairs can evoke in the face of the vastness of the cosmos.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "The House of Dust: Part 02: 07: Two Lovers: Overtones" is a stunning work of literary art that explores the complexities of human desire and the transformative power of love. Aiken's use of vivid imagery, powerful symbolism, and musical language creates a haunting and unforgettable portrait of two lovers caught in the throes of passion and desire. This poem is a testament to the enduring power of poetry to capture the complexities of human experience, and to speak to the deepest truths of the human heart.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The House of Dust: Part 02: 07: Two Lovers: Overtones is a classic poem written by Conrad Aiken that explores the complex emotions and desires of two lovers. This poem is a beautiful and haunting portrayal of the human experience of love, loss, and longing. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, imagery, and symbolism used in this poem to understand its deeper meaning.
The poem begins with a description of the two lovers, who are lying in bed together. The speaker describes their bodies as being intertwined, and their breaths as being synchronized. This imagery creates a sense of intimacy and closeness between the two lovers, which is further emphasized by the use of the word "we" throughout the poem. The speaker is not just an observer, but is also a participant in the experience of love.
As the poem progresses, the speaker describes the emotions that the two lovers are feeling. They are both overwhelmed by their love for each other, and are consumed by their desire to be together. The speaker describes this desire as being "like a flame that burns in the night," which is a powerful metaphor for the intensity of their passion.
However, despite their love for each other, the two lovers are also aware of the fragility of their relationship. They know that their time together is limited, and that they will eventually have to part ways. This is reflected in the line "we know that soon we must part," which creates a sense of sadness and melancholy.
The theme of impermanence is further emphasized by the use of imagery throughout the poem. The speaker describes the lovers as being "like two leaves that cling and tremble together," which is a metaphor for the transience of life. Leaves are a symbol of life and growth, but they are also fragile and easily destroyed. This imagery creates a sense of vulnerability and fragility, which is a recurring theme throughout the poem.
Another important theme in this poem is the idea of longing. The two lovers are consumed by their desire for each other, and are constantly searching for ways to be closer. This is reflected in the line "we are like two children searching for a way out of the dark," which creates a sense of innocence and vulnerability. The lovers are not just searching for physical intimacy, but also for emotional connection and understanding.
The use of symbolism in this poem is also significant. The house of dust is a metaphor for the impermanence of life, and the transience of human relationships. The house is a symbol of the physical body, which is temporary and will eventually decay. This is reflected in the line "we are like two ghosts who are haunting the ruins of a house," which creates a sense of sadness and loss.
The use of overtones in the title of the poem is also significant. Overtones are subtle, underlying tones that are not immediately apparent, but can be felt or sensed. In this poem, the overtones represent the deeper emotions and desires that are not explicitly stated. The two lovers are not just expressing their love for each other, but are also expressing their fear of loss, their longing for connection, and their awareness of the fragility of life.
In conclusion, The House of Dust: Part 02: 07: Two Lovers: Overtones is a beautiful and haunting poem that explores the complex emotions and desires of two lovers. The themes of impermanence, longing, and vulnerability are explored through the use of imagery, symbolism, and overtones. This poem is a powerful reminder of the fragility of human relationships, and the importance of cherishing the moments we have with the people we love.
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