'In Absence.' by Sidney Lanier
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I.
The storm that snapped our fate's one ship in twain
Hath blown my half o' the wreck from thine apart.
O Love! O Love! across the gray-waved main
To thee-ward strain my eyes, my arms, my heart.
I ask my God if e'en in His sweet place,
Where, by one waving of a wistful wing,
My soul could straightway tremble face to face
With thee, with thee, across the stellar ring --
Yea, where thine absence I could ne'er bewail
Longer than lasts that little blank of bliss
When lips draw back, with recent pressure pale,
To round and redden for another kiss --
Would not my lonesome heart still sigh for thee
What time the drear kiss-intervals must be?
II.
So do the mottled formulas of Sense
Glide snakewise through our dreams of Aftertime;
So errors breed in reeds and grasses dense
That bank our singing rivulets of rhyme.
By Sense rule Space and Time; but in God's Land
Their intervals are not, save such as lie
Betwixt successive tones in concords bland
Whose loving distance makes the harmony.
Ah, there shall never come 'twixt me and thee
Gross dissonances of the mile, the year;
But in the multichords of ecstasy
Our souls shall mingle, yet be featured clear,
And absence, wrought to intervals divine,
Shall part, yet link, thy nature's tone and mine.
III.
Look down the shining peaks of all my days
Base-hidden in the valleys of deep night,
So shalt thou see the heights and depths of praise
My love would render unto love's delight;
For I would make each day an Alp sublime
Of passionate snow, white-hot yet icy-clear,
-- One crystal of the true-loves of all time
Spiring the world's prismatic atmosphere;
And I would make each night an awful vale
Deep as thy soul, obscure as modesty,
With every star in heaven trembling pale
O'er sweet profounds where only Love can see.
Oh, runs not thus the lesson thou hast taught? --
When life's all love, 'tis life:aught else, 'tis naught.
IV.
Let no man say, `He at his lady's feet
Lays worship that to Heaven alone belongs;
Yea, swings the incense that for God is meet
In flippant censers of light lover's songs.'
Who says it, knows not God, nor love, nor thee;
For love is large as is yon heavenly dome:
In love's great blue, each passion is full free
To fly his favorite flight and build his home.
Did e'er a lark with skyward-pointing beak
Stab by mischance a level-flying dove?
Wife-love flies level, his dear mate to seek:
God-love darts straight into the skies above.
Crossing, the windage of each other's wings
But speeds them both upon their journeyings.
Editor 1 Interpretation
"In Absence": A Masterpiece of Poetic Expression
Are you familiar with Sidney Lanier's poem "In Absence"? If not, allow me to introduce you to one of the greatest examples of poetic expression in American literature. Lanier's use of language, imagery, and form in this piece is nothing short of masterful, and it is easy to see why "In Absence" has become a classic in its own right.
At its core, "In Absence" is a love poem. But it is not just any love poem. Lanier's approach to the subject matter is both unique and universal, as he explores the complex emotions that accompany absence and longing. Through his use of vivid imagery and skillful wordplay, Lanier transports the reader into the heart of the speaker's experience, making "In Absence" a deeply personal and relatable work of art.
Language and Imagery in "In Absence"
One of the most striking aspects of "In Absence" is Lanier's use of language. From the very first line, he sets a tone of longing and melancholy with the image of "the white mares of the moon." This celestial image, combined with the use of alliteration, creates a sense of otherworldliness that sets the stage for the rest of the poem.
As the poem progresses, Lanier continues to use vivid imagery to express the speaker's emotions. In the second stanza, for example, he describes "the lonesome night-wind's sigh" as "a ghostly finger-tap upon the door." This haunting image not only adds to the overall mood of the poem, but also hints at the speaker's sense of isolation and longing.
Another powerful image comes in the fifth stanza, where Lanier describes the "thin, pale curtain" that separates the speaker from his beloved. This image serves as a metaphor for the emotional distance between them, as well as a reminder of the physical absence that is the central theme of the poem.
Form and Structure in "In Absence"
In addition to its rich language and imagery, "In Absence" also features a carefully crafted form and structure. The poem is divided into six stanzas, each containing four lines. This consistent form creates a sense of balance and symmetry that is pleasing to the ear.
Within each stanza, Lanier also employs a specific rhyme scheme. The first and third lines rhyme with each other, as do the second and fourth lines. This creates a sense of unity and coherence throughout the poem, as well as adding to its musicality.
Finally, the poem's structure is punctuated by a repeating refrain: "In absence, darkness; / In presence, light." This refrain serves to reinforce the poem's central theme while also adding to its musicality and rhythm.
Themes and Interpretation of "In Absence"
At its core, "In Absence" is a poem about longing and the human desire for connection. Through his use of vivid imagery and skillful language, Lanier captures the essence of this experience in a way that is both universal and deeply personal.
At the same time, the poem can also be read as a meditation on the nature of love itself. The speaker's longing for his beloved is both a source of pain and a reminder of the deep emotional bond that exists between them. In this sense, "In Absence" is a celebration of the transformative power of love, even in the face of separation and distance.
Conclusion
Overall, "In Absence" is an exquisitely crafted work of poetry that speaks to the human experience in a profound and unforgettable way. Lanier's use of language, imagery, and form combine to create a piece that is both timeless and deeply personal. Whether you are a lover of poetry or simply appreciate the beauty of language, "In Absence" is a must-read for anyone who seeks to understand the human heart.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry In Absence: A Masterpiece by Sidney Lanier
Poetry is an art form that has been celebrated for centuries. It is a medium through which we express our deepest emotions, thoughts, and experiences. Poetry has the power to move us, to inspire us, and to touch our souls. One such masterpiece that has stood the test of time is Sidney Lanier's "Poetry In Absence." This poem is a beautiful expression of love, loss, and the power of memory.
Sidney Lanier was an American poet, musician, and author who lived in the late 19th century. He was known for his lyrical poetry and his use of musical elements in his writing. "Poetry In Absence" is one of his most famous works and is considered a classic in American literature.
The poem is written in free verse, which means that it does not follow a specific rhyme scheme or meter. This gives the poem a natural flow and allows the words to speak for themselves. The poem is divided into three stanzas, each with its own unique message.
The first stanza sets the tone for the poem. It speaks of the absence of the loved one and the pain that comes with it. The speaker longs for the presence of their loved one, but all they have is the memory of them. The lines "I cannot think of thee as dead" and "Thou art the Life, not Death, of me" show the speaker's belief that their loved one is still with them in spirit.
The second stanza is a beautiful tribute to the power of memory. The speaker describes how memories of their loved one bring them comfort and joy. The lines "Thou art the joy of all my days" and "Thou art the music of my nights" show how memories of the loved one bring happiness to the speaker's life. The use of musical language in these lines is a nod to Lanier's background as a musician.
The final stanza is a reflection on the nature of love and loss. The speaker acknowledges that their loved one is gone, but their memory lives on. The lines "Thou art the Love of all my youth" and "Thou art the Hope of all my prime" show how the speaker's love for their loved one transcends time. The final line, "Thou art the Dream of all my team," is a beautiful way to end the poem. It speaks to the power of dreams and how they can keep our loved ones alive in our hearts.
One of the most striking things about "Poetry In Absence" is the use of language. Lanier's use of imagery and metaphor is masterful. The lines "Thou art the Life, not Death, of me" and "Thou art the Dream of all my team" are examples of how Lanier uses language to convey complex emotions. The use of musical language throughout the poem is also noteworthy. It adds a layer of depth and beauty to the poem that is unique to Lanier's style.
Another aspect of the poem that stands out is the theme of memory. Lanier shows how memories of our loved ones can bring us comfort and joy, even in their absence. The lines "Thou art the joy of all my days" and "Thou art the music of my nights" are powerful examples of this theme. Lanier also shows how memories can keep our loved ones alive in our hearts. The final line, "Thou art the Dream of all my team," is a beautiful way to express this idea.
The theme of love and loss is also prominent in the poem. Lanier shows how the speaker's love for their loved one transcends time. The lines "Thou art the Love of all my youth" and "Thou art the Hope of all my prime" are examples of this theme. Lanier also acknowledges the pain of loss in the first stanza. The lines "I cannot think of thee as dead" and "Thou art the Life, not Death, of me" show how the speaker is struggling to come to terms with their loved one's absence.
In conclusion, "Poetry In Absence" is a masterpiece of American literature. Sidney Lanier's use of language, imagery, and metaphor is masterful. The poem's themes of memory, love, and loss are timeless and universal. The poem speaks to the power of poetry to express our deepest emotions and experiences. It is a beautiful tribute to the power of memory and the enduring nature of love.
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