'Every Time I Kiss You' by Nizar Qabbani


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Every time I kiss you
After a long separation
I feel
I am putting a hurried love letter
In a red mailbox.


Translated by B. Frangieh And C. Brown


Submitted by Noele Aabye

Editor 1 Interpretation

Every Time I Kiss You: A Love Poem that Transcends Time

Introduction

Poetry has always been a powerful medium to express emotions, thoughts, and ideas. One such poet who has had a tremendous impact on Arabic literature is Nizar Qabbani. His works are known for their raw emotions, deep passion, and unbridled love. Among his many classic poems, "Every Time I Kiss You" stands out as a masterpiece that captures the essence of love and desire. In this literary criticism, we will explore the themes, imagery, and symbolism in this poem and delve into its overarching message.

Background

Nizar Qabbani, born in Damascus in 1923, was a Syrian diplomat, poet, and writer. He is regarded as one of the most influential poets in the Arab world in modern times. Qabbani's poetry is known for its directness, simplicity, and its focus on love, humanity, and social issues. He was not afraid to challenge traditional Arab values and was one of the first poets to write about women's rights, sexuality, and politics.

"Every Time I Kiss You" is one of his most well-known and beloved poems. It was originally published in his collection "The Candles Burn" in 1963. This poem has been translated into several languages and has been widely read and appreciated by audiences around the world.

Themes

The central theme of "Every Time I Kiss You" is love and desire. The poem speaks of the intense passion and longing that the speaker feels for their beloved. The speaker expresses their desire to be with their loved one, to touch them, and to be close to them. The poem is also about the power of love and its ability to transcend time and space.

Another theme that runs through the poem is the idea of unity. The speaker longs to be united with their beloved and speaks of the oneness that they feel when they are together. This unity is not just physical but also spiritual, emotional, and intellectual. The speaker speaks of the deep connection that they share with their loved one, the way their souls meld together, and the transcendence of their love beyond the physical realm.

Imagery

The imagery in "Every Time I Kiss You" is vivid and sensual. The poem is filled with sensory details that evoke the speaker's passion and desire. The use of imagery is particularly evident in the first stanza where the speaker describes the physical sensations that they experience when they are with their beloved. The scent of their skin, the taste of their lips, and the way their body feels against theirs are all described in detail.

The second stanza of the poem is filled with images of nature. The speaker compares their love to the beauty of the natural world. The moon, the stars, and the sea are all used as metaphors for the intensity and depth of their love. The natural imagery in the poem serves to reinforce the idea that their love is timeless and eternal.

Symbolism

One of the most powerful symbols in "Every Time I Kiss You" is the metaphor of the candle. The speaker compares their love to a candle that burns bright and illuminates the darkness. The candle symbolizes the light of love that can guide us through the darkest moments of life. The candle also represents the fragility of love and how it must be tended to and nurtured in order to stay alight.

Another symbol in the poem is the use of the moon and stars. In many cultures, the moon and stars are associated with love and romance. In the poem, the moon and stars symbolize the vastness and eternity of the universe and how their love is a part of this vastness.

Analysis

"Every Time I Kiss You" is a poem that speaks to the heart. It is a love poem that is both passionate and tender. The poem captures the essence of love and how it can transcend time and space. The imagery and symbolism in the poem serve to reinforce the idea that their love is eternal and indestructible.

The use of sensory details in the poem is particularly effective. The speaker describes the physical sensations that they experience when they are with their beloved, creating a sense of intimacy and connection. The imagery of the natural world serves to reinforce the idea that their love is a part of something larger than themselves.

The poem is also notable for its simplicity and directness. The language is straightforward, and the message is clear. The poem does not rely on complex metaphors or convoluted language to convey its meaning. Instead, it speaks to the heart in a way that is both powerful and accessible.

Conclusion

"Every Time I Kiss You" is a masterpiece of love poetry. The poem captures the essence of love and desire in a way that is both sensual and tender. The use of imagery and symbolism creates a sense of timelessness and eternity, reinforcing the idea that their love is indestructible. The poem speaks to the heart and reminds us of the power of love to transcend time and space. It is a beautiful and timeless work of literature that will continue to resonate with readers for generations to come.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Every Time I Kiss You: An Ode to Love and Passion

Nizar Qabbani, the renowned Syrian poet, is known for his romantic and passionate poetry that captures the essence of love and desire. One of his most famous poems, Every Time I Kiss You, is a beautiful ode to the power of love and the intensity of physical intimacy. In this 2000-word analysis, we will explore the themes, imagery, and language used in the poem to understand its deeper meaning and significance.

The poem begins with a simple yet powerful statement: "Every time I kiss you, I taste love." This opening line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as it establishes the central theme of love and its connection to physical intimacy. The speaker is not just kissing their beloved, but they are also experiencing the essence of love itself. This idea is reinforced in the next line, where the speaker says, "I taste the sweetness of eternity." Here, the speaker is suggesting that their love is not just a fleeting emotion but something that transcends time and space.

The poem then moves on to describe the physical sensations that the speaker experiences when they kiss their beloved. The imagery used in this section is vivid and sensual, as the speaker describes the taste, smell, and touch of their lover. For example, the speaker says, "I taste the nectar of your lips, the honey of your tongue," which creates a sensory experience for the reader. The use of food-related imagery, such as nectar and honey, also adds to the idea of sweetness and pleasure.

The next few lines of the poem focus on the speaker's desire for their beloved. The speaker says, "I want to drink your blood, to taste the warmth of your body," which may seem like a violent or disturbing image at first glance. However, in the context of the poem, it is clear that the speaker is expressing their intense desire for their lover. The use of the word "drink" suggests that the speaker wants to consume their beloved, to become one with them. This idea is reinforced in the next line, where the speaker says, "I want to be the air that you breathe." Here, the speaker is expressing their desire to be so close to their beloved that they become a part of them.

The poem then takes a more philosophical turn, as the speaker reflects on the nature of love and its connection to the physical world. The speaker says, "Love is not a feeling, Mr. Freud. Love is a journey." This line is a direct reference to Sigmund Freud, the famous psychoanalyst who believed that love was a feeling that arose from our unconscious desires. However, the speaker is challenging this idea, suggesting that love is not just a feeling but a journey that we embark on with our beloved. This idea is reinforced in the next line, where the speaker says, "Love is a path that leads to the divine." Here, the speaker is suggesting that love is not just a human emotion but something that connects us to a higher power.

The final lines of the poem return to the theme of physical intimacy, as the speaker describes the moment when they and their beloved become one. The speaker says, "And when we become one, I lose myself in you." This line is a powerful expression of the intensity of physical intimacy, as the speaker suggests that they lose their sense of self when they are with their beloved. The use of the word "one" also suggests a spiritual connection between the two lovers, as if they are merging into a single entity.

In terms of language and imagery, Every Time I Kiss You is a masterful example of romantic poetry. The use of sensory imagery, such as taste and touch, creates a vivid and sensual experience for the reader. The use of food-related imagery, such as nectar and honey, adds to the idea of sweetness and pleasure. The use of philosophical ideas, such as the connection between love and the divine, adds depth and complexity to the poem.

Overall, Every Time I Kiss You is a beautiful and passionate ode to love and physical intimacy. The poem captures the intensity of desire and the power of love to transcend time and space. It is a testament to Nizar Qabbani's skill as a poet and his ability to capture the essence of human emotion in his writing.

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