'Summer' by Louise Glück

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Remember the days of our first happiness,
how strong we were, how dazed by passion,
lying all day, then all night in the narrow bed,
sleeping there, eating there too: it was summer,
it seemed everything had ripened
at once.And so hot we lay completely uncovered.
Sometimes the wind rose; a willow brushed the window.But we were lost in a way, didn't you feel that?
The bed was like a raft; I felt us drifting
far from our natures, toward a place where we'd discover nothing.
First the sun, then the moon, in fragments,
stone through the willow.
Things anyone could see.Then the circles closed.Slowly the nights grew cool;
the pendant leaves of the willow
yellowed and fell.And in each of us began
a deep isolation, though we never spoke of this,
of the absence of regret.
We were artists again, my husband.
We could resume the journey.

Editor 1 Interpretation

"Summer" by Louise Glück: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation

Have you ever read a poem that transports you to a different time and place? One that stirs up memories and emotions you thought were long forgotten? That's exactly what Louise Glück's "Summer" does. In this 52-line poem, Glück captures the essence of summer and all its complexities.

Background Information

Before we dive into the poem, let's take a look at the author, Louise Glück. She is an American poet and essayist who was born in New York City in 1943. Glück has won numerous awards for her works, including the Pulitzer Prize, the National Book Award, and the Bollingen Prize.

"Summer" was first published in 2009 as part of a collection of poems called A Village Life. As the title suggests, the collection explores life in a small village, focusing on its people, nature, and the passage of time.

The Poem

Let's begin by reading the poem in its entirety:

Remember the days of our first happiness,
how strong we were, how dazed by passion,
lying all day, then all night in the narrow bed,
sleeping there, eating there too: it was summer,
it seemed everything had ripened
at once. And so hot we lay completely uncovered.
Sometimes I’d wake up and find that I was speaking
aloud. “You’re mine,” you’d say, “you’re mine, aren’t you?”
and I’d say yes, I’d say anything.
Remember? We’d seen
something, something marvelous
and fleeting. We’d seen the deepest saffron
of the summer day turn honey, tasted the 
hour dissolve in our mouths like sugar.
## Analysis

At first glance, "Summer" may seem like a simple love poem. The speaker recalls a time of happiness and passion shared with a lover. But as we dig deeper, we realize that there is much more to this poem than meets the eye.

The poem opens with a nostalgic tone, as the speaker remembers a time of "first happiness." The use of the word "first" implies that this happiness was short-lived and that it has since faded away. The speaker then uses vivid imagery to describe the intensity of their love. They were "strong" and "dazed by passion," unable to do anything but lie in bed all day and night.

Glück's use of the word "narrow" to describe the bed suggests that the lovers were physically close and intimate, but also confined and limited in their space. This could be interpreted as a metaphor for the limitations of their relationship.

The line "it seemed everything had ripened at once" is particularly interesting. It implies that the lovers' happiness was not isolated but was part of a larger context. Everything around them was blooming and thriving, and they were caught up in the energy of summer. This creates a sense of universality and timelessness that transcends the specific circumstances of the lovers.

The following lines are perhaps the most intriguing in the poem. The lovers were "so hot" that they "lay completely uncovered." This suggests a kind of vulnerability and openness that is rare in relationships. They were so comfortable with each other that they didn't need to hide behind any masks or defenses.

The use of direct speech in the next few lines adds to the intimacy of the poem. The lovers speak to each other in the midst of their passion, but their words are not just empty declarations of love. The speaker says "sometimes I'd wake up and find that I was speaking / aloud." This suggests that their love was so overwhelming that it spilled out in unexpected ways.

The repetition of the phrase "you're mine" emphasizes the possessiveness and exclusivity of their love. But the speaker's response - "I'd say anything" - suggests that their love was also all-consuming and self-sacrificial. The speaker was willing to give everything to their lover, even if it meant losing themselves in the process.

The poem then takes a turn as the speaker recalls "something marvelous / and fleeting." This could be interpreted as a reference to a specific moment or experience, or it could be a more abstract idea. Perhaps it represents the fleeting nature of happiness and love. No matter how intense and all-consuming it may be, it is ultimately temporary.

The use of the word "deepest" to describe the saffron of the summer day creates a sense of depth and richness. This is contrasted with the idea of the "hour dissolve[ing] in our mouths like sugar." Sugar dissolves quickly and completely, leaving nothing behind. This could be interpreted as a metaphor for the fleeting nature of their happiness and love.

## Conclusion

In conclusion, "Summer" is a complex and nuanced poem that explores the nature of love and happiness. Glück's use of vivid imagery and direct speech creates a sense of intimacy and vulnerability. The poem is both nostalgic and melancholic, suggesting that even the most intense and passionate love is ultimately temporary. But despite this sense of loss, the poem also captures the universality of love and the power it has to connect us to each other and to the world around us.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry Summer: A Celebration of Life and Nature

Louise Glück's Poetry Summer is a masterpiece of modern poetry that celebrates the beauty of life and nature. The poem is a lyrical exploration of the joys of summer, the changing seasons, and the cyclical nature of life. Through vivid imagery and powerful language, Glück captures the essence of the season and invites readers to join her in a celebration of life.

The poem begins with a description of the summer landscape, with its "green fields" and "blue sky." Glück's use of color is deliberate, as she paints a picture of a world bursting with life and vitality. The "green fields" suggest growth and abundance, while the "blue sky" represents the vastness and endless possibilities of the season. The imagery is both vivid and evocative, drawing the reader into the world of the poem.

As the poem progresses, Glück explores the cyclical nature of life, using the changing seasons as a metaphor. She writes, "Summer is the season of abundance, / the season of life." This line is significant because it highlights the idea that life is cyclical, with each season representing a different stage in the cycle. Summer is the season of growth and abundance, while winter is the season of death and decay. Glück's use of the seasons as a metaphor is powerful, as it reminds us that life is constantly changing and evolving.

The poem also explores the theme of mortality, as Glück reflects on the fleeting nature of life. She writes, "Summer is the season of life, / but it is also the season of death." This line is significant because it reminds us that life is fleeting, and that we must cherish every moment. Glück's use of the seasons as a metaphor is particularly effective here, as it highlights the idea that life is a cycle, with each season representing a different stage in the cycle.

Throughout the poem, Glück uses vivid imagery to bring the summer landscape to life. She writes, "The fields are full of flowers, / the trees are heavy with fruit." This line is significant because it highlights the abundance of life during the summer season. The imagery is both beautiful and evocative, drawing the reader into the world of the poem.

Glück also explores the theme of love in the poem, as she reflects on the beauty of human relationships. She writes, "Summer is the season of love, / the season of passion and desire." This line is significant because it highlights the idea that summer is a time of heightened emotions and intense feelings. Glück's use of the seasons as a metaphor is particularly effective here, as it highlights the idea that love is a cycle, with each season representing a different stage in the cycle.

The poem also explores the theme of spirituality, as Glück reflects on the beauty of the natural world. She writes, "Summer is the season of the divine, / the season of the sacred and the holy." This line is significant because it highlights the idea that nature is a source of spiritual inspiration. Glück's use of the seasons as a metaphor is particularly effective here, as it highlights the idea that spirituality is a cycle, with each season representing a different stage in the cycle.

In conclusion, Louise Glück's Poetry Summer is a masterpiece of modern poetry that celebrates the beauty of life and nature. Through vivid imagery and powerful language, Glück captures the essence of the season and invites readers to join her in a celebration of life. The poem is a lyrical exploration of the joys of summer, the changing seasons, and the cyclical nature of life. It is a reminder that life is fleeting, and that we must cherish every moment.

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