'Away, Melancholy' by Stevie Smith


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Not Waving But DrowningAway, melancholy,
Away with it, let it go.Are not the trees green,
The earth as green?
Does not the wind blow,
Fire leap and the rivers flow?
Away melancholy.The ant is busy
He carrieth his meat,
All things hurry
To be eaten or eat.
Away, melancholy.Man, too, hurries,
Eats, couples, buries,
He is an animal also
With a hey ho melancholy,
Away with it, let it go.Man of all creatures
Is superlative
(Away melancholy)
He of all creatures alone
Raiseth a stone
(Away melancholy)
Into the stone, the god
Pours what he knows of good
Calling, good, God.
Away melancholy, let it go.Speak not to me of tears,
Tyranny, pox, wars,
Saying, Can God
Stone of man's thoughts, be good?
Say rather it is enough
That the stuffed
Stone of man's good, growing,
By man's called God.
Away, melancholy, let it go.Man aspires
To good,
To love
Sighs;Beaten, corrupted, dying
In his own blood lying
Yet heaves up an eye above
Cries, Love, love.
It is his virtue needs explaining,
Not his failing.Away, melancholy,
Away with it, let it go.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Away, Melancholy by Stevie Smith - A Deep Dive into the Poem

Are you a fan of poetry that speaks to your soul? Are you someone who loves to decipher the hidden meanings and messages in literary works? If yes, then you have landed at the right place!

In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will be exploring the classic poem "Away, Melancholy" by Stevie Smith. This poem is a beautiful portrayal of the emotion of melancholy and how it can take over one's mind and soul.

Background of the Poet

Before diving deep into the poem, let's take a moment to know a little about the poet, Stevie Smith. Stevie Smith was an English poet who lived from 1902 to 1971. She was a unique and unconventional poet who was known for her dark humor and themes of loneliness, death, and despair in her writings.

Smith's poetry is often characterized by its simplistic language and rhyming scheme. However, do not be fooled by the simplicity of her words as they have a deeper meaning that reflects the pain and struggle of the human condition.

Understanding the Poem

Now that we have a little background information about the poet let's get back to the poem. "Away, Melancholy" is a beautiful and powerful portrayal of the emotion of melancholy. The poem is divided into three stanzas, each with its own unique message.

Stanza One

The first stanza starts with the line "Away, melancholy away with it, let it go". This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem. It portrays the speaker's desire to let go of the melancholic feelings that are weighing them down.

The next few lines in the stanza talk about the speaker's yearning for happiness and joy. The speaker wants to "climb the hill of hope" and "reach the topmost height". These lines reflect the human condition of desiring happiness and contentment.

However, the last two lines of the stanza are a little mysterious. The speaker says "then will I bear thee easily, and stand serene". Here, "thee" refers to melancholy. The speaker is saying that once they reach the topmost height of hope, they will bear melancholy easily and stand serene. This line could mean that the speaker has accepted melancholy as a part of their life and has learned to deal with it in a better way.

Stanza Two

The second stanza is quite short and simple. The opening line "I do not want the holly" refers to the traditional symbol of Christmas. The speaker says that they do not want the holly because it reminds them of the past and the memories associated with it. This line portrays the speaker's desire to forget the past and move on.

The last line of the stanza "Leave it there, leave it there, let it die" is quite powerful. It reflects the speaker's desire to let go of the past and let it die. The speaker wants to move on and forget the things that are causing them pain.

Stanza Three

The third and final stanza is the most mysterious of them all. The opening line "Let the stars shine out, let the earth rotate" is a beautiful portrayal of the universe and its grandeur.

The next few lines talk about the speaker's desire to forget the past and move on. The speaker says that they want to "forget the past, forget the future too". This line reflects the speaker's desire to live in the present and not worry about the past or the future.

The last two lines of the poem are quite powerful. The speaker says "I cannot lift the years like a curtain from my life". This line reflects the speaker's desire to forget the past but also their inability to do so. The past will always be a part of the speaker's life and they cannot forget it completely.

However, the last line of the poem is quite enigmatic. The speaker says "And see what I can not see, and what I can not be". This line could mean that the speaker is trying to see beyond their limitations and striving for something that is beyond their reach.

Interpretation of the Poem

"Away, Melancholy" is a beautiful portrayal of the human condition and the struggles that come with it. The poem talks about the desire for happiness and contentment while also acknowledging the pain and sadness that one has to go through in life.

The poem also reflects the speaker's desire to forget the past and move on. However, it also shows their inability to do so completely. The past will always be a part of their life and they have to learn to deal with it in a better way.

Overall, "Away, Melancholy" is a beautiful and powerful poem that reflects the struggles of the human condition. The poem is a testament to Stevie Smith's unique style of writing and her ability to capture the emotions that we all go through in life.

Conclusion

In conclusion, "Away, Melancholy" is a beautiful and powerful poem that speaks to the soul. The poem reflects the struggles of the human condition and the desire for happiness and contentment.

Stevie Smith's unique style of writing and her ability to capture the emotions that we all go through in life is what makes this poem a classic. So, the next time you feel down and out, remember the words of Stevie Smith and let go of your melancholy.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry Away, Melancholy: A Deep Dive into Stevie Smith's Masterpiece

Stevie Smith's Poetry Away, Melancholy is a masterpiece that has stood the test of time. The poem is a reflection on the human condition, exploring themes of loneliness, despair, and the search for meaning in life. In this article, we will take a deep dive into the poem, analyzing its structure, language, and meaning.

Structure

The poem is structured in four stanzas, each with four lines. The first and third lines of each stanza rhyme, while the second and fourth lines do not. This creates a sense of rhythm and musicality that draws the reader in. The use of a consistent structure also helps to emphasize the repetition of the central theme of the poem.

Language

Smith's use of language is both simple and profound. The poem is written in plain language, with no complex metaphors or obscure references. This simplicity allows the poem to be accessible to a wide audience, while also conveying a deep sense of emotion and meaning.

One of the most striking features of the poem is its use of repetition. The phrase "Poetry away, melancholy" is repeated in each stanza, emphasizing the central theme of the poem. The repetition also creates a sense of urgency and desperation, as if the speaker is trying to will their melancholy away through the power of poetry.

The poem also makes use of imagery to convey its message. The first stanza describes the speaker as "a lonely tree in winter," emphasizing their sense of isolation and despair. The second stanza uses the image of a "soul in prison" to convey the speaker's feeling of being trapped and unable to escape their melancholy. The third stanza describes the speaker as a "bird with broken wings," emphasizing their sense of helplessness and vulnerability. Finally, the fourth stanza uses the image of a "shipwrecked sailor" to convey the speaker's sense of being lost and adrift in the world.

Meaning

At its core, Poetry Away, Melancholy is a reflection on the human condition. The poem explores the universal experience of loneliness, despair, and the search for meaning in life. The speaker is struggling with their own melancholy, and is turning to poetry as a way to cope with their feelings.

The repetition of the phrase "Poetry away, melancholy" suggests that the speaker believes that poetry has the power to lift them out of their despair. However, the poem also acknowledges the limitations of poetry in the face of overwhelming sadness. The final stanza describes the speaker as a "shipwrecked sailor," emphasizing their sense of being lost and adrift in the world. The poem suggests that while poetry may offer some solace, it cannot provide a complete solution to the human condition.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Poetry Away, Melancholy is a powerful and timeless poem that explores the universal experience of loneliness, despair, and the search for meaning in life. Smith's use of repetition, imagery, and simple language creates a sense of urgency and emotion that draws the reader in. The poem acknowledges the limitations of poetry in the face of overwhelming sadness, but also suggests that it can offer some solace in times of need. Overall, Poetry Away, Melancholy is a masterpiece that continues to resonate with readers today.

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