'Love After Love' by Derek Walcott

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The time will comewhen, with elationyou will greet yourself arrivingat your own door, in your own mirrorand each will smile at the other's welcome,and say, sit here. Eat.You will love again the stranger who was your self.
Give wine. Give bread. Give back your heartto itself, to the stranger who has loved youall your life, whom you ignoredfor another, who knows you by heart.Take down the love letters from the bookshelf,the photographs, the desperate notes,peel your own image from the mirror.Sit. Feast on your life.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Poetry of Self-Acceptance: An Interpretation of Derek Walcott's "Love After Love"

Derek Walcott's "Love After Love" is a powerful poem that celebrates the journey of self-discovery and self-acceptance. It is a poem that speaks to the heart and soul of every human being, reminding us that our true selves are waiting patiently to be discovered and embraced. In this literary criticism, we will explore the intricate layers of meaning and symbolism in the poem and uncover the timeless truths that it reveals.

The Poem

Let us begin by examining the poem itself. "Love After Love" is a short poem consisting of three stanzas, each with four lines. The poem is written in free verse, meaning it does not follow a strict meter or rhyme scheme. The language is simple and straightforward, yet profound in its message.

The poem invites the reader to imagine a scenario in which they come home to themselves after a long journey. The first stanza sets the scene:

"The time will come when, with elation, you will greet yourself arriving at your own door, in your own mirror,"

The use of the phrase "with elation" suggests that the experience of self-discovery and self-acceptance is a joyful one. The reader is encouraged to envision themselves returning to their own true nature with a sense of excitement and happiness. The idea of arriving "at your own door" and seeing oneself "in your own mirror" reinforces the idea that the true self is always present within us, waiting to be recognized.

The second stanza continues the theme of self-discovery:

"and each will smile at the other's welcome, and say, sit here. Eat. You will love again the stranger who was your self."

Here, the poem suggests that the true self is often a stranger to us, someone we have lost touch with over time. By welcoming this stranger back into our lives, we will be able to experience love in a new and profound way. The invitation to "sit here" and "eat" is a metaphor for the act of engaging with and embracing one's true self.

The final stanza of the poem concludes with a powerful message:

"Give wine. Give bread. Give back your heart to itself, to the stranger who has loved you all your life, whom you ignored for another, who knows you by heart."

This stanza is a call to action, urging the reader to give themselves the love and acceptance they deserve. The metaphorical gifts of wine and bread represent the nourishment that comes from self-acceptance and self-love. The final line of the poem is particularly poignant, suggesting that the true self has been with us all along, loving us even when we were ignoring it for the sake of conforming to societal norms.

The Symbolism

Now that we have examined the surface-level meaning of the poem, let us delve deeper into the symbolism that underlies it. One of the most striking symbols in "Love After Love" is the mirror. The mirror represents the self, but not just any self – the true self that is often hidden behind societal expectations and personal insecurities. By gazing into the mirror and seeing oneself as they truly are, the reader is able to connect with their true self and experience a sense of joy and liberation.

Another important symbol in the poem is the stranger. The stranger represents the true self that has been lost or ignored over time. By welcoming the stranger back into one's life and allowing them to take a seat at the table, the reader is able to reconnect with their true self and experience love in a new and profound way.

The gifts of wine and bread are also symbolic in the poem. Wine represents the joy and celebration that comes from self-acceptance and self-love, while bread represents the sustenance that comes from acknowledging and embracing one's true self.

Finally, the act of giving one's heart back to themselves is perhaps the most powerful symbol in the poem. It represents the act of self-love and self-acceptance, allowing the reader to reconnect with the stranger who has loved them all their life.

The Message

At its core, "Love After Love" is a poem about self-acceptance and self-love. It reminds us that our true selves are waiting patiently to be discovered and embraced, and that the act of doing so is a joyful and liberating experience. The poem encourages us to reject societal expectations and personal insecurities and instead embrace our true selves with open arms.

The message of "Love After Love" is particularly relevant in today's world, where social media and societal pressures often encourage us to present a carefully curated image of ourselves to the world. The poem reminds us that true happiness and fulfillment come not from presenting a false image of ourselves, but from embracing our true selves and finding joy in that authenticity.

Conclusion

In conclusion, "Love After Love" is a timeless poem that speaks to the heart and soul of every human being. Through its use of symbolism and simple yet profound language, the poem encourages us to embrace our true selves with open arms and experience the joy and liberation that comes from self-acceptance and self-love. It is a poem that reminds us that our true selves are always present within us, waiting to be recognized, and that the act of doing so is one of the most powerful and transformative experiences we can have.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Love After Love: A Poetic Journey of Self-Discovery

Derek Walcott's "Love After Love" is a timeless poem that speaks to the heart of every individual who has ever felt lost, alone, or disconnected from their true self. The poem is a beautiful reminder that we are all capable of finding love and acceptance within ourselves, even after years of neglect and self-doubt.

The poem begins with a simple invitation: "The time will come when, with elation, you will greet yourself arriving at your own door." This opening line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as it suggests that the speaker is addressing someone who has been away from themselves for a long time. The use of the word "elation" is particularly significant, as it implies that the speaker believes that the person they are addressing will feel a sense of joy and happiness when they finally reconnect with themselves.

The next few lines of the poem describe the physical sensations that the person will experience when they finally come home to themselves. The speaker tells them to "sit down" and "feast on your life," suggesting that they should take the time to savor and enjoy every moment of their existence. The use of the word "feast" is particularly powerful, as it implies that the person has been starving themselves of love and self-acceptance for far too long.

The poem then takes a more introspective turn, as the speaker encourages the person to "give thanks for all the love that has been given to you." This line is significant because it suggests that the person has not been able to fully appreciate the love that has been offered to them in the past. By encouraging them to give thanks, the speaker is suggesting that the person should take the time to reflect on all of the people who have loved and supported them throughout their life.

The next few lines of the poem are particularly poignant, as the speaker encourages the person to "love yourself" and to "love the stranger who has loved you all your life." These lines are significant because they suggest that the person has been neglecting themselves and their relationships with others for far too long. By encouraging them to love themselves and to love others, the speaker is suggesting that the person needs to reconnect with their true self in order to find happiness and fulfillment.

The final lines of the poem are perhaps the most powerful, as the speaker tells the person that "you have been called to become the person you were meant to be." This line is significant because it suggests that the person has a purpose in life, and that they have the power to fulfill that purpose by reconnecting with themselves. The use of the word "called" is particularly powerful, as it implies that the person has a higher calling or destiny that they need to fulfill.

In conclusion, "Love After Love" is a beautiful and powerful poem that speaks to the heart of every individual who has ever felt lost, alone, or disconnected from their true self. The poem is a reminder that we are all capable of finding love and acceptance within ourselves, even after years of neglect and self-doubt. By encouraging us to love ourselves and to love others, the poem reminds us that we are all connected, and that we all have a purpose in life.

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