'After Parting' by Sarah Teasdale


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Oh, I have sown my love so wide
That he will find it everywhere;
It will awake him in the night,
It will enfold him in the air.

I set my shadow in his sight
And I have winged it with desire,
That it may be a cloud by day,
And in the night a shaft of fire.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Unpacking the Beauty of Sarah Teasdale’s “After Parting”

Sarah Teasdale’s “After Parting” is a classic poem that has stood the test of time. It remains a poignant reminder of the pain and heartache of losing a loved one. This 14-line poem is a perfect example of Teasdale’s mastery of poetic language and imagery. In this critique, we will explore the various themes and literary devices that make this poem a masterpiece.

Background Information

Sarah Teasdale was an American lyric poet born in St. Louis, Missouri in 1884. She was known for her romantic and sentimental poetry, and her works often explored themes of love, nature, and death. Teasdale published several collections of poetry during her lifetime, and her work remains popular to this day.

“After Parting” was first published in 1918 in Teasdale’s collection of poetry titled Love Songs. The poem is an elegy for a lost love, and it speaks to the universal experience of grief and longing.

Poetic Themes

The primary theme of “After Parting” is the pain of losing a loved one. The poem explores the idea that even after a relationship has ended, the memories and feelings associated with that relationship continue to linger. Teasdale writes, “I think that we shall meet again / Beyond the limit of all thought / Where darkness like the breath of life / Is breathed by stars that know no death.” This suggests that even after death, there is a chance for reunion with a lost loved one. The poem thus creates a sense of hope and comfort for those who have experienced loss.

Another theme explored in “After Parting” is the passage of time. The poem suggests that time is fleeting, and that even the strongest relationships can be lost to it. However, the poem also suggests that time is not an insurmountable obstacle, and that it is possible to overcome the pain of loss and move on. Teasdale writes, “Time like a river rolls its ceaseless course / It bears us all to the same ocean’s force / However we may strive or swim or flee / We cannot change its final destiny.” This suggests that while we cannot change the course of time, we can choose how we respond to it.

Poetic Devices

One of the most striking poetic devices in “After Parting” is Teasdale’s use of imagery. The poem is full of vivid, sensory descriptions that create a powerful emotional impact. For example, Teasdale writes, “I shall know my love by his way of walking / And his way of talking in the tone he used / When he was not on show.” This description creates a clear picture of the lost loved one, making the pain of his absence feel all the more real.

Another poetic device employed in “After Parting” is the use of repetition. The poem’s first two lines, “Now, when I think of you, I am glad you’re gone, / I who have known the b bitterness of absence,” are repeated at the end of the poem, creating a sense of closure and finality. This repetition also emphasizes the poem’s central theme of loss and its enduring impact.

Finally, the poem’s structure and form are worth noting. “After Parting” is a sonnet, a classical form of poetry that consists of 14 lines. The poem follows the traditional sonnet structure, with an octave (eight lines) that sets up the poem’s central conflict or problem, followed by a sestet (six lines) that offers a resolution or conclusion. This structure gives the poem a sense of balance and symmetry, emphasizing the poem’s themes of order and harmony.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Sarah Teasdale’s “After Parting” is a masterful poem that explores the pain and grief of losing a loved one. The poem’s themes of loss, time, and reunion are explored with sensitivity and emotional depth, and its use of imagery, repetition, and form make it a powerful work of poetry. It is a fitting tribute to the enduring power of love and the human experience of loss that continues to resonate with readers today.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry has always been a medium for expressing emotions, and Sarah Teasdale's "Poetry After Parting" is a perfect example of how poetry can convey the pain of separation. The poem is a beautiful and poignant expression of the emotions that one goes through after a break-up. In this article, we will analyze and explain the poem in detail.

The poem begins with the speaker stating that she will write poetry after parting from her lover. The first line, "I shall keep singing!" sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The exclamation mark at the end of the line shows the speaker's determination to keep going despite the pain of separation. The use of the word "singing" is significant because it implies that the speaker will not just write poetry, but she will also sing it. This shows that the speaker is not just writing for herself but also for others to hear.

The second line, "Birds will pass me on their way to sing," is a metaphor for the speaker's life. The birds passing by represent the passing of time, and the fact that they are on their way to sing implies that the speaker will also continue to sing. The use of the word "pass" also suggests that the speaker is not just waiting for time to pass but is actively moving forward.

The third line, "And I shall sing for the sake of singing," shows that the speaker is not writing poetry for any particular reason but just for the sake of it. This line also implies that the speaker is not writing poetry to get over her lover but because she loves to write poetry.

The fourth line, "And we shall know by that token," is a reference to the fact that the speaker's lover will know that she is still writing poetry. The use of the word "token" suggests that the poetry is a sign of the speaker's love for her lover.

The fifth line, "That we have once more been broken," is a reference to the fact that the speaker and her lover have broken up before. This line also implies that the speaker and her lover have a history together.

The sixth line, "By the winds of heaven blown," is a metaphor for the forces that have caused the separation. The use of the word "heaven" suggests that the separation was not caused by anything within the speaker or her lover but by external forces.

The seventh line, "And shall I take the oath of silence," shows that the speaker is considering not writing poetry anymore. The use of the word "oath" suggests that the speaker is making a solemn promise to herself. The fact that the speaker is considering not writing poetry anymore shows the depth of her pain.

The eighth line, "But what have I to gain," shows that the speaker is questioning the value of not writing poetry. The use of the word "gain" suggests that the speaker is considering the benefits of not writing poetry. This line also implies that the speaker is aware of the therapeutic value of writing poetry.

The ninth line, "For singing's all I know," shows that the speaker's only way of expressing herself is through poetry. The use of the word "know" suggests that the speaker is not just writing poetry but is also living it.

The tenth line, "And it will see me through," shows that the speaker believes that writing poetry will help her get through the pain of separation. The use of the word "see" suggests that the speaker is looking to the future.

The eleventh line, "It will see me through," is a repetition of the previous line. The repetition emphasizes the importance of writing poetry to the speaker.

The twelfth line, "For singing's all I know," is a repetition of the ninth line. The repetition emphasizes the fact that the speaker's only way of expressing herself is through poetry.

The thirteenth line, "And it will see me through," is a repetition of the tenth and eleventh lines. The repetition emphasizes the fact that the speaker believes that writing poetry will help her get through the pain of separation.

The final line, "And it will see me through," is a repetition of the previous three lines. The repetition emphasizes the fact that the speaker believes that writing poetry will help her get through the pain of separation.

In conclusion, Sarah Teasdale's "Poetry After Parting" is a beautiful and poignant expression of the emotions that one goes through after a break-up. The poem shows the speaker's determination to keep going despite the pain of separation. The repetition of the line "And it will see me through" emphasizes the fact that the speaker believes that writing poetry will help her get through the pain of separation. The poem is a testament to the therapeutic value of writing poetry and the power of art to heal.

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