'Absence' by Edwin Morgan
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My shadow --
I woke to a wind swirling the curtains light and dark
and the birds twittering on the roofs, I lay cold
in the early light in my room high over London.
What fear was it that made the wind sound like a fire
so that I got up and looked out half-asleep
at the calm rows of street-lights fading far below?
Without fire
Only the wind blew.
But in the dream I woke from, you
came running through the traffic, tugging me, clinging
to my elbow, your eyes spoke
what I could not grasp --
Nothing, if you were here!
The wind of the early quiet
merges slowly now with a thousand rolling wheels.
The lights are out, the air is loud.
It is an ordinary January day.
My shadow, do you hear the streets?
Are you at my heels? Are you here?
And I throw back the sheets.
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Editor 1 Interpretation
"Absence" by Edwin Morgan: A Masterpiece of Poetic Exploration
As a literary work, poetry has the power to convey emotions, experiences, and ideas in a way that no other form can. It can be bold, subtle, evocative, and challenging all at once. One such poem that perfectly exemplifies this power is "Absence" by Edwin Morgan.
Morgan's "Absence" is a poem that explores the complex emotions and thoughts that arise from the absence of a loved one. The poem is structured in three stanzas, each with a distinct tone and voice, but all ultimately reflecting the pain and longing that comes with separation.
The first stanza begins with a vivid description of the speaker's surroundings and their own emotional state. The opening line, "pillow your head on stone and let the breeze / blow over you coldly," immediately sets a melancholic mood. The image of resting one's head on stone seems to suggest a sense of detachment from comfort and warmth. The use of the word "breeze" instead of wind or gust also adds to this sense of gentle, but persistent discomfort.
The second line, "the dark is our mother, / she will cradle you," introduces a theme of maternal comfort that is echoed throughout the poem. The darkness is personified as a nurturing presence, one that will embrace and soothe the speaker. The phrase "our mother" also suggests a shared experience or connection between the speaker and the absent loved one.
The second stanza of the poem introduces a new voice, that of the absent loved one. The stanza begins with the line "I am the heart that holds on and the heart that holds off," which immediately creates a sense of duality and ambiguity. The heart that holds on can be seen as a symbol of love and devotion, while the heart that holds off may suggest distance or hesitation.
The remainder of the stanza continues with this theme of duality, as the absent loved one describes themselves as both "the hand that reaches and the hand that withdraws" and "the word that comforts and the word that withers." These conflicting images create a sense of complexity and depth, as the reader is left to ponder the various facets of love and absence.
The final stanza of the poem returns to the voice of the speaker, who continues to grapple with the pain of separation. The line "this is the pain that claws at my side, / gnaws at my gut, / and will not let me go" is particularly striking. The use of animalistic imagery, with the clawing and gnawing, emphasizes the physical and emotional toll that absence can take.
The stanza concludes with a sense of longing and desperation, as the speaker implores their absent loved one to "come closer / until there is only one breath between us." This line creates a powerful image of intimacy and closeness, one that is made all the more poignant by the earlier descriptions of distance and separation.
Overall, "Absence" is a masterful exploration of the complex emotions and experiences that arise from separation. Morgan's use of vivid imagery, personification, and duality creates a sense of depth and nuance that will resonate with anyone who has experienced the pain of absence.
But what makes this poem so special is not just its exploration of a universal theme, but the way in which it does so. The language and structure of the poem are both carefully crafted to create a sense of intimacy and immediacy. The use of the second person voice in the first stanza, which then shifts to the first person in the final stanza, creates a sense of unity between the speaker and the reader. We are all invited into this experience of absence, and are made to feel the pain and longing that comes with it.
In conclusion, "Absence" is a true masterpiece of poetic exploration. Its use of vivid imagery, personification, and duality create a powerful sense of depth and nuance that will resonate with anyone who has experienced the pain of separation. Its language and structure also create a sense of intimacy and immediacy that make the reader feel as though they are experiencing the poem firsthand. Edwin Morgan's "Absence" is a poem that will stay with you long after you've read it, a true testament to the power of poetry.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Absence by Edwin Morgan: A Poem of Love and Loss
Edwin Morgan's Absence is a classic poem that explores the theme of love and loss. The poem is a beautiful and poignant expression of the pain and longing that comes with separation from a loved one. In this analysis, we will delve deeper into the poem's meaning, structure, and literary devices to understand the poet's message and the emotions he conveys.
The poem is divided into three stanzas, each with four lines. The structure of the poem is simple, yet effective in conveying the poet's emotions. The first stanza sets the tone for the poem, with the speaker expressing his feelings of sadness and emptiness in the absence of his loved one. The second stanza is more introspective, with the speaker reflecting on the memories of his loved one and the impact they have had on his life. The final stanza is a plea to the loved one to return, with the speaker expressing his desire to be reunited with his beloved.
The poem's title, Absence, is significant in that it sets the theme for the entire poem. The word absence conveys a sense of emptiness and loss, which is exactly what the speaker is feeling in the absence of his loved one. The poem's opening line, "Your absence has gone through me," is a powerful statement that sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The use of the word "gone" suggests that the absence is not just a temporary state, but something that has had a lasting impact on the speaker.
The poem's imagery is also significant in conveying the speaker's emotions. The line "Like thread through a needle" is a metaphor that suggests the pain of the absence is like a sharp needle piercing through the speaker's heart. The use of the word "thread" suggests that the pain is continuous, like a thread that runs through the fabric of the speaker's life. The image of the needle is also significant, as it suggests that the pain is sharp and intense.
The second stanza of the poem is more introspective, with the speaker reflecting on the memories of his loved one. The line "Everything I do is stitched with its color" suggests that the memories of the loved one are so ingrained in the speaker's life that they are present in everything he does. The use of the word "stitched" is significant, as it suggests that the memories are not just a passing thought, but something that is woven into the fabric of the speaker's life.
The line "What is life now, without you?" is a powerful statement that conveys the speaker's sense of loss. The use of the word "now" suggests that the speaker's life has been forever changed by the absence of his loved one. The line "I am still yours" suggests that the speaker's love for his beloved is unwavering, despite the distance between them.
The final stanza of the poem is a plea to the loved one to return. The line "Come back to me, Beloved" is a powerful statement that conveys the speaker's desire to be reunited with his beloved. The use of the word "Beloved" is significant, as it suggests that the loved one is not just someone the speaker cares for, but someone who is deeply cherished and loved.
The line "Let me love you again" is a plea for forgiveness, suggesting that the speaker may have done something to cause the separation. The use of the word "again" suggests that the speaker is willing to make amends and start anew.
In conclusion, Edwin Morgan's Absence is a beautiful and poignant poem that explores the theme of love and loss. The poem's structure, imagery, and literary devices are all significant in conveying the speaker's emotions and the message of the poem. The poem is a powerful expression of the pain and longing that comes with separation from a loved one, and a reminder of the importance of cherishing those we love while we have them.
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