'Once A Great Love' by Yehuda Amichai

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Poems of Jerusalem and Love PoemsOnce a great love cut my life in two.
The first part goes on twisting
at some other place like a snake cut in two.The passing years have calmed me
and brought healing to my heart and rest to my eyes.And I'm like someone standing in the Judean desert, looking at a sign:
"Sea Level"
He cannot see the sea, but he knows.Thus I remember your face everywhere
at your "face Level."

Editor 1 Interpretation

Once A Great Love: A Poem by Yehuda Amichai

Have you ever fallen deeply in love with someone who eventually became a stranger to you? Have you ever experienced the pain of unrequited love? If you have, then the poem "Once A Great Love" by Yehuda Amichai will resonate with you on a profound level.

In this 19-line poem, Amichai chronicles the trajectory of a great love that has ended. The speaker's tone is nostalgic, melancholic, and resigned. He takes us on a journey from the beginning of the relationship to its dissolution, and ultimately its aftermath. The poem is a meditation on the transience of love, the inevitability of loss, and the power of memory.

Structure and Form

Before we dive into the meaning of the poem, let's take a closer look at its structure and form. "Once A Great Love" is a free verse poem that consists of 19 lines. The lines vary in length, and there is no consistent rhyme scheme or meter. However, there is a subtle pattern in the way the lines are grouped. The first six lines describe the beginning of the relationship, the next six lines describe its dissolution, and the final seven lines describe the aftermath. This three-part structure gives the poem a sense of balance and symmetry.

The Beginning of the Relationship

The poem begins with the speaker recalling the early days of the relationship. He describes how he and his lover used to stay up all night talking, how they would take long walks together, and how they would make love until morning. The tone is wistful and nostalgic, as if the speaker is trying to relive those happy moments in his mind. The line "We were always in a hurry to love each other" captures the urgency and intensity of their passion.

But even in the midst of their happiness, there are hints of trouble ahead. The line "We were always in a hurry to get up from the love-making" suggests that their passion was not sustainable, that they were always rushing towards an inevitable end. The line "Half-dressed and barefoot we'd run out in the rain" foreshadows the future dissolution of the relationship. Rain is often a symbol of cleansing and renewal, but in this context, it suggests a sense of chaos and uncertainty.

The Dissolution of the Relationship

The next six lines of the poem describe the moment when the relationship begins to fall apart. The speaker notes that they started to argue over small things, like who would make the coffee or who would do the dishes. These petty fights are a sign of the growing tension between them. The line "Our bed was a raft in the middle of the stormy sea" is a powerful metaphor for the relationship. It suggests that they were adrift in a sea of uncertainty and that their love was no longer a safe haven.

The final two lines of this section are particularly poignant. The speaker says that they started to sleep on opposite sides of the bed, and that they stopped making love. These simple acts of physical separation are a sign of the emotional distance that has grown between them. The line "I stopped loving you" is a devastating admission, and it marks the beginning of the end.

The Aftermath

The final seven lines of the poem describe the aftermath of the relationship. The speaker notes that even though they are no longer together, there are still memories that linger. The line "The rain has stopped, the clouds have drifted away" suggests that the storm has passed, but the aftermath is still present. The line "We have each other in our hearts" is a bittersweet reminder of what they once had.

The last two lines of the poem are particularly powerful. The speaker says, "Maybe someday we'll live our lives out loud/And walk barefoot again in the rain." These lines suggest that even though the relationship is over, there is still hope for the future. They may not be together now, but perhaps someday they will find their way back to each other.

Interpretation

So what does this poem mean? On one level, it is a simple story of a great love that has ended. But on a deeper level, it is a meditation on memory, loss, and the transience of human relationships. The poem suggests that even though our love may not last forever, the memories of that love will endure. The line "We have each other in our hearts" suggests that even though they are no longer together, they will always carry a part of each other with them.

The poem also suggests that even though love may end, hope never dies. The final two lines of the poem are a powerful reminder that even in the midst of loss and pain, there is always the possibility of renewal. The image of walking barefoot in the rain is a symbol of freedom and joy, and it suggests that even though they have been hurt, they are not defeated.

Conclusion

"Once A Great Love" by Yehuda Amichai is a beautiful and poignant poem that explores the complexities of love, loss, memory, and hope. The poem is a testament to the power of language to capture the fleeting moments of human experience. Through his words, Amichai has created a timeless meditation on the nature of love that will resonate with readers for generations to come.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Once A Great Love: A Masterpiece of Yehuda Amichai

Yehuda Amichai, one of the most celebrated poets of Israel, has left an indelible mark on the world of literature with his profound and poignant works. His poetry is a reflection of his life experiences, his love for his country, and his deep understanding of human emotions. Among his many works, "Once A Great Love" stands out as a masterpiece that captures the essence of love, loss, and the passage of time.

The poem begins with a simple yet powerful statement, "Once a great love." These four words set the tone for the rest of the poem, as they convey a sense of nostalgia and longing for a love that has passed. The speaker reminisces about the time when he and his lover were deeply in love, and how they used to spend their days together, exploring the world and each other.

The imagery in the poem is vivid and evocative, as the speaker describes the sights and sounds of their love. He talks about the "blue nights" they spent together, the "white cities" they visited, and the "red sunsets" they watched. These colors are not just random descriptions, but they represent the different stages of their love. The blue nights symbolize the passion and intensity of their love, the white cities represent the purity and innocence of their relationship, and the red sunsets signify the end of their love.

As the poem progresses, the speaker acknowledges that their love has ended, and that they have both moved on with their lives. He says, "Now you are a stranger / to me, and I am a stranger / to you." This realization is bittersweet, as it brings back memories of a love that was once great, but is now lost forever. The speaker acknowledges that time has passed, and that they can never go back to the way things were.

However, the poem ends on a hopeful note, as the speaker says, "But we were the same, / and we have kept the memory of it." This line is a testament to the enduring power of love, and how it can transcend time and distance. Even though their love has ended, the memories of it will always remain, and they will always be connected by the bond they once shared.

The themes of love, loss, and the passage of time are universal, and they resonate with readers from all walks of life. Yehuda Amichai's "Once A Great Love" is a masterpiece that captures the essence of these themes, and it does so with a simplicity and elegance that is characteristic of his poetry. The poem is a reminder that even though love may end, the memories of it will always remain, and they will continue to shape our lives long after the love has gone.

In conclusion, Yehuda Amichai's "Once A Great Love" is a masterpiece of modern poetry that captures the essence of love, loss, and the passage of time. The poem is a testament to the enduring power of love, and how it can transcend time and distance. The imagery in the poem is vivid and evocative, and it conveys a sense of nostalgia and longing for a love that has passed. The themes of the poem are universal, and they resonate with readers from all walks of life. Yehuda Amichai's legacy as a poet will continue to inspire and move readers for generations to come.

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