'Leda' by H.D.


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Where the slow river
meets the tide,
a red swan lifts red wings
and darker beak,
and underneath the purple down
of his soft breast
uncurls his coral feet.

Through the deep purple
of the dying heat
of sun and mist,
the level ray of sun-beam
has caressed
the lily with dark breast,
and flecked with richer gold
its golden crest.

Where the slow lifting
of the tide,
floats into the river
and slowly drifts
among the reeds,
and lifts the yellow flags,
he floats
where tide and river meet.

Ah kingly kiss—
no more regret
nor old deep memories
to mar the bliss;
where the low sedge is thick,
the gold day-lily
outspreads and rests
beneath soft fluttering
of red swan wings.

Editor 1 Interpretation

An in-depth look at H.D.'s Leda

Oh, where to begin with H.D.'s Leda. This classic poem is a masterpiece of modernist poetry, blending myth and contemporary themes to create a haunting and evocative work that has enthralled readers for decades.

At its core, Leda is a retelling of the Greek myth of Zeus and Leda, in which Zeus transforms into a swan and seduces the mortal Leda, leading to the birth of Helen of Troy. But H.D. takes this familiar story and infuses it with her own unique vision, creating a work that is at once timeless and deeply personal.

The beauty and terror of transformation

One of the most striking elements of Leda is the way it explores the theme of transformation. Throughout the poem, we see Leda and the swan undergoing a series of transformations - Leda from a hesitant mortal to a willing participant in the divine act, and the swan from a beautiful creature to a violent, almost monstrous force.

At the same time, H.D. also explores the transformative power of art and poetry, as her own words reshape and reimagine the ancient myth. This interplay between transformation and creation gives Leda a sense of dynamic energy, as if the poem itself is constantly in motion, evolving and shifting as it unfolds.

The power of myth

As a modernist poet, H.D. was deeply interested in the ways in which ancient myths and stories could be reinterpreted and reimagined for modern audiences. With Leda, she takes the myth of Zeus and Leda and uses it as a lens through which to explore themes of desire, power, and agency.

Through her vivid imagery and potent language, H.D. brings the myth to life in a way that is both deeply sensual and deeply unsettling. We feel the power of the swan's wings, the weight of its body as it presses against Leda, and the mingled sense of terror and ecstasy that accompanies the act of divine seduction.

At the same time, H.D. doesn't shy away from the darker implications of the myth. She portrays Zeus as a force of violence and domination, and Leda as a victim of his desires. And yet, even as she acknowledges the pain and trauma of this encounter, she also infuses it with a sense of beauty and wonder, showing how even the most horrific experiences can contain moments of transcendence and transformation.

The music of language

One of the most striking aspects of Leda is the way it uses language to create a sense of musicality and rhythm. H.D. employs a range of poetic techniques, from alliteration and assonance to repetition and rhyme, to create a sense of sonic beauty that complements the poem's visual imagery.

For example, consider the opening lines of the poem:

A sudden blow: the great wings beating still
Above the staggering girl, her thighs caressed
By the dark webs, her nape caught in his bill,
He holds her helpless breast upon his breast.

Here, we can hear the repetition of "beating still" and "her breast upon his breast," as well as the alliteration of "staggering girl" and "dark webs." These elements work together to create a sense of rhythmic momentum that propels the poem forward, even as it lingers on individual images and moments.

The feminist perspective

Finally, it's worth considering the ways in which Leda can be read as a feminist work. Despite being written in the early 20th century, H.D.'s poem anticipates many of the key concerns of feminist criticism, particularly in its depiction of male violence and female agency.

Throughout the poem, we see Leda struggling against the swan's advances, even as she ultimately succumbs to them. And yet, even in the moment of her submission, H.D. portrays her as an active participant, rather than a passive victim. By emphasizing Leda's physical sensations and emotional responses, H.D. gives voice to a female experience that is often silenced or ignored in traditional mythologies.

At the same time, H.D. also critiques the patriarchal power structures that underlie the myth of Zeus and Leda. By portraying Zeus as a violent, domineering figure, she draws attention to the ways in which male power is often based on coercion and violence. And by showing how Leda is transformed by her encounter with the divine, H.D. suggests that women's agency and power can come from unexpected sources.

Conclusion

All in all, H.D.'s Leda is a powerful work of modernist poetry that continues to captivate readers with its evocative imagery and deep exploration of themes like transformation, myth, and power. Whether read as a retelling of an ancient myth, a feminist critique of patriarchal power, or a celebration of the transformative power of art, this poem remains a timeless classic that speaks to readers across the ages.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Leda by H.D.: A Poem of Mythical Seduction

The poem Leda by H.D. is a masterpiece of modernist poetry that explores the ancient Greek myth of Leda and the Swan. The poem is a vivid and sensual depiction of the seduction of Leda by Zeus in the form of a swan, and the resulting birth of Helen of Troy, the most beautiful woman in the world. The poem is a complex and layered work that combines elements of myth, nature, and sexuality to create a powerful and haunting vision of the human psyche.

The poem begins with a description of the swan, which is portrayed as a powerful and majestic creature. The swan is described as having "great wings" and "feathers like gold." The swan is also described as having a "strange heart" that is "trembling" and "beating." This description of the swan sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is filled with images of power, beauty, and passion.

The poem then shifts to the seduction of Leda by the swan. The seduction is described in vivid and sensual language, with images of "feathers brushing her thighs" and "the great wings beating." The seduction is portrayed as a violent and passionate act, with Leda being "mastered" by the swan. The language used to describe the seduction is both beautiful and disturbing, creating a sense of both awe and horror.

The poem then moves to the aftermath of the seduction, with Leda giving birth to Helen of Troy. The birth is described as a "strange birth" that is "terrible and sweet." The language used to describe the birth is both beautiful and haunting, with images of "the great wings beating" and "the strange heart trembling." The birth of Helen is portrayed as a moment of both beauty and tragedy, with the promise of her beauty being overshadowed by the violence of her conception.

Throughout the poem, H.D. uses imagery and symbolism to create a powerful and complex work of art. The swan is a symbol of power and beauty, but also of violence and domination. The feathers of the swan are a symbol of both beauty and danger, with their softness and delicacy contrasting with the violence of the swan's actions. The birth of Helen is a symbol of both beauty and tragedy, with the promise of her beauty being overshadowed by the violence of her conception.

The poem also explores themes of sexuality and desire. The seduction of Leda by the swan is portrayed as a violent and passionate act, with Leda being "mastered" by the swan. The language used to describe the seduction is both beautiful and disturbing, creating a sense of both awe and horror. The birth of Helen is also a moment of sexual desire, with the violence of her conception being a symbol of the power of sexuality.

The poem also explores themes of nature and the natural world. The swan is portrayed as a powerful and majestic creature, with its great wings and feathers like gold. The birth of Helen is also a moment of nature, with the strange birth being a symbol of the power of nature to create and destroy.

In conclusion, Leda by H.D. is a masterpiece of modernist poetry that explores the ancient Greek myth of Leda and the Swan. The poem is a complex and layered work that combines elements of myth, nature, and sexuality to create a powerful and haunting vision of the human psyche. The poem is a vivid and sensual depiction of the seduction of Leda by Zeus in the form of a swan, and the resulting birth of Helen of Troy, the most beautiful woman in the world. The poem is a work of art that is both beautiful and disturbing, creating a sense of both awe and horror.

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