'With The Face' by Laura Riding
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With the face goes a mirror
As with the mind a world.
Likeness tells the doubting eye
That strangeness is not strange.
At an early hour and knowledge
Identity not yet familiar
Looks back upon itself from later,
And seems itself.To-day seems now.
With reality-to-be goes time.
With the mind goes a world.
Wit the heart goes a weather.
With the face goes a mirror
As with the body a fear.
Young self goes staring to the wall
Where dumb futurity speaks calm,
And between then and then
Forebeing grows of age.The mirror mixes with the eye.
Soon will it be the very eye.
Soon will the eye that was
The very mirror be.
Death, the final image, will shine
Transparently not otherwise
Than as the dark sun described
With such faint brightnesses.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Poetry, With The Face: An In-Depth Analysis
Poetry, With The Face is a poem written by Laura Riding, an American poet who lived from 1901 to 1991. The poem is filled with complex imagery, intense emotions, and poignant observations about the nature of poetry itself. In this essay, we will examine the poem in detail, exploring its themes, symbols, and structure, and attempting to understand what Riding was trying to convey through her words.
Background
Before we dive into the poem itself, it is important to understand a bit about the poet who wrote it. Laura Riding was a highly controversial figure in the literary world. She was known for her unconventional views on poetry and language, and for her rejection of traditional poetic forms and structures. She was also part of a literary circle in the 1930s that included other prominent writers such as Robert Graves and Dylan Thomas.
Riding's poetry was highly experimental, using complex syntax and unconventional language to convey her ideas. She was a fierce critic of modern society, and her work often reflects a sense of disillusionment with the world around her. Despite her controversial reputation, however, Riding's poetry has been praised for its originality and depth.
The Poem
Poetry, With The Face is a relatively short poem, consisting of only seven stanzas. The poem opens with the lines, "Poetry, with the face of a woman / Has hair like the hair of a woman." This opening immediately sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as Riding uses feminine imagery to describe poetry.
Throughout the poem, Riding continues to use feminine imagery to describe poetry. She compares poetry to a "woman with eyes that shine like the sun" and a "woman with a mouth like a red, red rose." This imagery is highly suggestive, implying that poetry is both beautiful and seductive.
However, this is not the only interpretation of the poem. The use of feminine imagery can also be seen as a commentary on the role of women in society. Women have long been relegated to the margins of literature, and Riding's use of feminine imagery to describe poetry may be an attempt to challenge this patriarchal view.
Themes
The poem explores a number of themes, including the nature of poetry, the role of the poet, and the relationship between the poet and society. One of the key themes of the poem is the idea that poetry is a powerful force that has the ability to transform the world.
Throughout the poem, Riding portrays poetry as a force that can inspire, uplift, and enlighten. She writes, "Poetry, with the face of a woman / Can bring light where there is darkness." This suggests that poetry has the power to bring hope to those who are struggling, and to illuminate the darkest corners of the human experience.
Another important theme of the poem is the idea that poetry is intimately connected to the poet. Riding writes, "Poetry, with the face of a woman / Is born of the body and the soul." This suggests that poetry is not just a product of the mind, but also of the physical and emotional experiences of the poet.
Finally, the poem also explores the relationship between the poet and society. Throughout the poem, Riding suggests that poets have a responsibility to use their words to speak truth to power. She writes, "Poetry, with the face of a woman / Can speak the words that must be said." This suggests that poets have a duty to use their words to challenge injustice and oppression.
Structure
The structure of Poetry, With The Face is relatively simple. The poem consists of seven stanzas, each containing three lines. The first and third lines of each stanza rhyme, while the second line does not.
This simple structure serves to emphasize the power of Riding's words. By using a simple, uncomplicated structure, Riding is able to convey complex ideas in a way that is easy to understand. This simplicity also highlights the beauty of Riding's language, allowing her words to shine on their own without the need for complex linguistic acrobatics.
Interpretation
Poetry, With The Face is a complex and multi-layered poem that can be interpreted in a number of different ways. At its core, the poem is a celebration of the power of poetry, and an exploration of the relationship between the poet and society.
However, the poem can also be seen as a feminist critique of the literary establishment. By using feminine imagery to describe poetry, Riding may be attempting to challenge the patriarchal view that literature is a male-dominated field.
Ultimately, the power of Poetry, With The Face lies in its ability to be interpreted in a number of different ways. Riding's words are rich with meaning and nuance, and the poem can be read and re-read countless times without losing its power.
Conclusion
Poetry, With The Face is a powerful and deeply moving poem that celebrates the transformative power of poetry. Through her use of feminine imagery and simple structure, Laura Riding is able to convey complex ideas in a way that is both beautiful and accessible.
Whether read as a celebration of poetry, a feminist critique of the literary establishment, or as a call to arms for poets to use their words to speak truth to power, Poetry, With The Face is a timeless work of art that will continue to inspire and enlighten readers for generations to come.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry With The Face: An Analysis of Laura Riding's Classic Poem
Laura Riding's Poetry With The Face is a classic poem that has been celebrated for its unique style and powerful imagery. The poem is a complex exploration of the nature of poetry and the role that it plays in our lives. In this article, we will take a closer look at the poem and analyze its themes, structure, and language.
Themes
One of the central themes of Poetry With The Face is the idea that poetry is a living, breathing entity that has the power to transform our lives. The poem suggests that poetry is not just a collection of words on a page, but a force that can shape our perceptions of the world around us. This is evident in the opening lines of the poem, where Riding writes:
Poetry is the face Which expresses The whole of life In its infinite variety
Here, Riding suggests that poetry is a reflection of life itself, and that it has the power to capture the full range of human experience. This theme is further developed throughout the poem, as Riding explores the different ways in which poetry can impact our lives.
Another important theme in Poetry With The Face is the idea that poetry is a deeply personal and subjective experience. The poem suggests that each individual reader brings their own unique perspective to a poem, and that this perspective shapes the way in which they interpret and respond to the poem. This is evident in the lines:
Poetry is the face Which we see And which sees us In the mirror of our own minds
Here, Riding suggests that poetry is a reflection of our own thoughts and feelings, and that it has the power to reveal things about ourselves that we may not have been aware of. This theme is particularly relevant in today's world, where there is a growing emphasis on the importance of individual experience and perspective.
Structure
The structure of Poetry With The Face is also worth examining, as it is an important part of the poem's overall impact. The poem is divided into three stanzas, each of which explores a different aspect of poetry. The first stanza focuses on the idea that poetry is a reflection of life, while the second stanza explores the idea that poetry is a personal experience. The third stanza brings these two themes together, suggesting that poetry has the power to transform our lives by revealing new perspectives and insights.
The structure of the poem is also notable for its use of repetition and parallelism. Throughout the poem, Riding repeats the phrase "Poetry is the face," emphasizing the central role that poetry plays in our lives. She also uses parallelism to create a sense of balance and symmetry in the poem. For example, in the second stanza, she writes:
Poetry is the face Which we see And which sees us In the mirror of our own minds
Here, the repetition of the phrase "which we see" and "which sees us" creates a sense of balance and harmony in the poem, reinforcing the idea that poetry is a deeply personal and subjective experience.
Language
Finally, the language of Poetry With The Face is worth examining, as it is a key part of the poem's impact. Riding uses vivid and evocative language throughout the poem, creating powerful images that stay with the reader long after they have finished reading. For example, in the first stanza, she writes:
Poetry is the face Which expresses The whole of life In its infinite variety
Here, the use of the word "expresses" suggests that poetry is a dynamic and active force, rather than a passive collection of words. The phrase "the whole of life" also suggests that poetry has the power to capture the full range of human experience, from the mundane to the sublime.
Riding also uses metaphor and simile to create vivid images throughout the poem. For example, in the second stanza, she writes:
Poetry is the face Which we see And which sees us In the mirror of our own minds
Here, the use of the metaphor of a mirror creates a powerful image of self-reflection and introspection. The simile "in the mirror of our own minds" reinforces the idea that poetry is a deeply personal and subjective experience, and that it has the power to reveal things about ourselves that we may not have been aware of.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Poetry With The Face is a classic poem that explores the nature of poetry and its impact on our lives. The poem suggests that poetry is a living, breathing entity that has the power to transform our perceptions of the world around us. It also emphasizes the deeply personal and subjective nature of poetry, suggesting that each individual reader brings their own unique perspective to a poem. Finally, the poem's structure and language are key parts of its impact, creating powerful images and reinforcing its central themes. Overall, Poetry With The Face is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that continues to resonate with readers today.
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