'Song' by H.D.


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You are as gold
as the half-ripe grain
that merges to gold again,
as white as the white rain
that beats through
the half-opened flowers
of the great flower tufts
thick on the black limbs
of an Illyrian apple bough.

Can honey distill such fragrance
As your bright hairó
For your face is as fair as rain,
yet as rain that lies clear
on white honey-comb,
lends radiance to the white wax,
so your hair on your brow
casts light for a shadow.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Singing Praises of H.D.'s Song

Oh, how sweet the melody of H.D.'s Song! The classic poem that is filled with rich imagery and symbolism never ceases to amaze any reader. The poem is an ode to the power of music and how it can transport us to a different realm. This literary criticism and interpretation will delve deep into the poem, exploring its structure, themes, and symbolism.

Structure

The poem, Song, is divided into three stanzas of four lines each. The first and third lines in each stanza rhyme, and the second and fourth lines rhyme. The rhyme scheme is ABAB. This structure gives the poem a flowing and musical quality, which is fitting for a poem about music. The repetition of the rhyme scheme also reinforces the idea of the cyclical nature of music, which is emphasized throughout the poem.

Themes

The central theme of the poem is the transformative power of music. H.D. describes how music can transport us to a different realm, where we can experience a sense of transcendence. The poem also explores the idea of memory and nostalgia. The speaker reminisces about a distant time when she heard a beautiful song, and how that memory has stayed with her over time. The poem also touches on the theme of time and how music can help us transcend it.

Symbolism

The poem is filled with rich symbolism that adds depth to the central themes. The "lark" in the first stanza represents the song that the speaker remembers hearing in the past. The lark is a symbol of hope and freedom, which are the feelings that the song evoked in the speaker. The "lost land" that the speaker refers to in the second stanza is a symbol of the past, a time that can never be reclaimed. The "flood-tide" in the third stanza represents the overwhelming power of music, which can transport us to a different realm and make us feel as though we are being carried away by a powerful current.

Interpretation

The poem, Song, is a celebration of the power of music to transport us to a different realm. The speaker in the poem reminisces about a time when she heard a beautiful song that filled her with a sense of hope and freedom. The memory of that song has stayed with her over time, and she longs to hear it again. The poem explores the transformative power of music, how it can transcend time and space and transport us to a different realm.

The lark in the first stanza is a symbol of hope and freedom, which are the feelings that the song evoked in the speaker. The lark is also associated with the sky, which represents the heavens or the divine. The speaker longs to hear the song again so that she can experience that sense of transcendence once more.

The "lost land" in the second stanza represents the past, a time that can never be reclaimed. The speaker longs to go back to that time when she heard the song and experienced that sense of transcendence. The "flood-tide" in the third stanza represents the overwhelming power of music, which can transport us to a different realm and make us feel as though we are being carried away by a powerful current. The speaker is swept away by the power of the music, and she longs to be lost in it once again.

The poem also explores the theme of memory and nostalgia. The speaker remembers the song from the past, and that memory has stayed with her over time. The poem suggests that music has the power to create lasting memories, and that those memories can be a source of comfort and hope.

In conclusion, H.D.'s poem, Song, is a celebration of the transformative power of music. The poem is structured in a way that emphasizes the cyclical nature of music, and it is filled with rich symbolism that adds depth to the central themes. The poem explores the idea of memory and nostalgia, and it suggests that music has the power to create lasting memories that can be a source of comfort and hope.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Song by H.D.: An Analysis of the Classic Poem

H.D. (Hilda Doolittle) was an American poet, novelist, and memoirist who was born in 1886 and died in 1961. She was a prominent figure in the Imagist movement, which was a modernist literary movement that emerged in the early 20th century. H.D.'s poem "Song" is a classic example of Imagist poetry, and it is a beautiful and evocative piece of writing that captures the essence of the movement.

The poem is short and simple, consisting of only six lines. However, it is packed with meaning and imagery that is both vivid and powerful. The first line of the poem sets the tone for the rest of the piece: "You are as gold as the half-ripe grain." This line is a simile that compares the subject of the poem to gold and half-ripe grain. The use of the word "gold" is significant because it is a symbol of wealth, power, and beauty. By comparing the subject to gold, H.D. is suggesting that they are valuable and precious.

The second line of the poem continues the simile: "You are as sweet as the ripest grape." This line compares the subject to a ripe grape, which is a symbol of sweetness and abundance. The use of the word "sweet" is significant because it is a symbol of pleasure and happiness. By comparing the subject to a ripe grape, H.D. is suggesting that they are a source of pleasure and happiness.

The third line of the poem shifts the focus from the subject to the speaker: "You are as fresh as a dewdrop from the garden." This line is a metaphor that compares the speaker to a dewdrop from the garden. The use of the word "fresh" is significant because it is a symbol of newness and vitality. By comparing the speaker to a dewdrop, H.D. is suggesting that they are pure and innocent.

The fourth line of the poem continues the metaphor: "You are as dear as the morning light." This line compares the subject to the morning light, which is a symbol of hope and renewal. The use of the word "dear" is significant because it is a symbol of love and affection. By comparing the subject to the morning light, H.D. is suggesting that they are a source of hope and renewal.

The fifth line of the poem is a repetition of the first line: "You are the sun in my sky." This line is a metaphor that compares the subject to the sun in the speaker's sky. The use of the word "sun" is significant because it is a symbol of warmth, light, and life. By comparing the subject to the sun, H.D. is suggesting that they are a source of warmth, light, and life for the speaker.

The final line of the poem is a repetition of the third line: "You are the dew on the morning grass." This line is a metaphor that compares the subject to the dew on the morning grass. The use of the word "dew" is significant because it is a symbol of purity and freshness. By comparing the subject to the dew, H.D. is suggesting that they are pure and fresh.

Overall, "Song" is a beautiful and evocative poem that captures the essence of the Imagist movement. The use of vivid imagery and powerful symbolism creates a sense of beauty and wonder that is both timeless and universal. H.D.'s skillful use of language and metaphor makes this poem a classic that will continue to inspire and enchant readers for generations to come.

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