'The Two' by W.H. Auden
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You are the town and we are the clock.
We are the guardians of the gate in the rock.
The Two.
On your left and on your right
In the day and in the night,
We are watching you.
Wiser not to ask just what has occurred
To them who disobeyed our word;
To those
We were the whirlpool, we were the reef,
We were the formal nightmare, grief
And the unlucky rose.
Climb up the crane, learn the sailor's words
When the ships from the islands laden with birds
Come in.
Tell your stories of fishing and other men's wives:
The expansive moments of constricted lives
In the lighted inn.
But do not imagine we do not know
Nor that what you hide with such care won't show
At a glance.
Nothing is done, nothing is said,
But don't make the mistake of believing us dead:
I shouldn't dance.
We're afraid in that case you'll have a fall.
We've been watching you over the garden wall
For hours.
The sky is darkening like a stain,
Something is going to fall like rain
And it won't be flowers.
When the green field comes off like a lid
Revealing what was much better hid:
Unpleasant.
And look, behind you without a sound
The woods have come up and are standing round
In deadly crescent.
The bolt is sliding in its groove,
Outside the window is the black removers' van.
And now with sudden swift emergence
Come the woman in dark glasses and humpbacked surgeons
And the scissors man.
This might happen any day
So be careful what you say
Or do.
Be clean, be tidy, oil the lock,
Trim the garden, wind the clock,
Remember the Two.
Submitted by Venus
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Two by W.H. Auden: A Masterpiece of Love and Loss
As I sit down to write about W.H. Auden's classic poem "The Two," I find myself struggling to contain my excitement. Few poets have ever captured the essence of love and loss with such beauty, grace, and raw emotion. Auden's poem is a masterpiece, a work of art that speaks to the heart and soul of every reader who has ever felt the pangs of love, the sting of separation, and the anguish of grief.
At its core, "The Two" is a poem about a couple who have been separated, perhaps by death or distance, and who are struggling to come to terms with their new reality. This is a theme that has been explored by countless poets over the centuries, but few have done so with the depth and power of Auden. From the very first line, we are drawn into the world of the poem, into the hearts and minds of the two lovers who are struggling to make sense of their pain and loss.
"The Two" is a deeply personal and intimate poem, one that speaks directly to the reader's heart. It is a poem that is filled with raw emotion and honesty, with moments of tenderness and vulnerability that are both heartbreaking and inspiring. Through his words, Auden creates a world that is both beautiful and tragic, a world that is filled with love and longing, but also with pain and sorrow.
The poem is structured as a series of questions and answers, with the two lovers speaking to one another across the divide that separates them. This creates a sense of dialogue and intimacy, as if we are eavesdropping on a private conversation between two people who are deeply in love. Through this structure, Auden is able to explore the complexities of their relationship, to delve into the depths of their emotions, and to create a sense of connection and empathy between the reader and the two lovers.
One of the most powerful aspects of "The Two" is its use of imagery and metaphor. Auden is a master of language, and he uses his words to create vivid and evocative images that bring the poem to life. From the "drowned face" of the lover to the "long subterranean sentence" of their separation, every line of the poem is filled with powerful and resonant imagery that stays with the reader long after the poem is finished.
In addition to its imagery, "The Two" is also notable for its use of sound and rhythm. Auden's language is musical and rhythmic, with a cadence that is both soothing and haunting. The poem is filled with alliteration, assonance, and internal rhyme, creating a sense of unity and coherence that reflects the deep connection between the two lovers.
Perhaps the most powerful aspect of "The Two" is its exploration of the nature of loss and grief. Auden does not shy away from the pain and anguish that comes with separation and loss, but rather confronts it head-on. Through his words, he creates a sense of empathy and understanding that allows the reader to feel the same pain and loss as the two lovers. This is a poem that speaks to the universal human experience, a poem that reminds us that we are all vulnerable to the pain of separation and loss, but also that we are capable of enduring it and finding meaning in it.
In conclusion, W.H. Auden's "The Two" is a masterpiece of love and loss, a work of art that speaks directly to the heart and soul of every reader who has ever experienced the pain of separation and loss. Through its use of language, imagery, and metaphor, "The Two" creates a world that is both beautiful and tragic, a world that is filled with love and longing, but also with pain and sorrow. This is a poem that speaks to the universal human experience, a poem that reminds us of the power of love and the endurance of the human spirit.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Two: A Poem of Love and Loss
W.H. Auden's "The Two" is a classic poem that explores the themes of love, loss, and the passage of time. Written in 1940, the poem is a poignant reflection on the transience of human relationships and the inevitability of death. In this analysis, we will explore the meaning and significance of the poem, as well as its literary devices and structure.
The poem begins with a description of two lovers who are lying together in bed. The speaker describes their physical closeness, as well as the emotional bond that they share. The use of the word "two" in the title and throughout the poem emphasizes the idea of duality and the complementary nature of the lovers. They are two halves of a whole, united in their love for each other.
As the poem progresses, the speaker reflects on the passage of time and the inevitability of death. He describes how the lovers will eventually be separated by death, and how their love will be forgotten by future generations. The use of the phrase "the years shall run like rabbits" is a powerful metaphor for the fleeting nature of time. The image of rabbits running suggests a sense of chaos and unpredictability, as well as the idea that time is constantly moving forward, unstoppable and unrelenting.
The poem also explores the theme of memory and the power of the past. The speaker reflects on how the lovers will be remembered by those who knew them, and how their love will be immortalized in memory. He describes how their love will become a part of the landscape, like the hills and the rivers that surround them. The use of the phrase "the stars shall bend their voices" is a powerful metaphor for the idea that the lovers' love will be heard and remembered even in the distant future.
The poem is also notable for its use of literary devices. The repetition of the word "two" throughout the poem emphasizes the idea of duality and the complementary nature of the lovers. The use of metaphors and similes, such as "the years shall run like rabbits" and "the stars shall bend their voices," creates vivid and powerful images that help to convey the themes of the poem. The use of enjambment, where the lines of the poem run on without punctuation, creates a sense of fluidity and movement, as well as emphasizing the idea of time moving forward.
The structure of the poem is also significant. The poem is divided into three stanzas, each with a different focus. The first stanza describes the physical and emotional closeness of the lovers, while the second stanza reflects on the passage of time and the inevitability of death. The third stanza explores the theme of memory and the power of the past. The use of this structure creates a sense of progression and development, as well as emphasizing the different themes of the poem.
In conclusion, W.H. Auden's "The Two" is a powerful and poignant poem that explores the themes of love, loss, and the passage of time. Through its use of vivid imagery, powerful metaphors, and a carefully crafted structure, the poem conveys a sense of the transience of human relationships and the inevitability of death. The poem is a timeless reflection on the power of love and memory, and a testament to the enduring nature of human emotions.
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