'Two Songs' by Adrienne Rich


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1.
Sex, as they harshly call it,
I fell into this morning
at ten o'clock, a drizzling hour
of traffic and wet newspapers.
I thought of him who yesterday
clearly didn't
turn me to a hot field
ready for plowing,
and longing for that young man
pierced me to the roots
bathing every vein, etc.
All day he appears to me
touchingly desirable,
a prize one could wreck one's peace for.
I'd call it love if love
didn't take so many years
but lust too is a jewel
a sweet flower and what
pure happiness to know
all our high-toned questions
breed in a lively animal.

2.
That "old last act"!
And yet sometimes
all seems post coitum triste
and I a mere bystander.
Somebody else is going off,
getting shot to the moon.
Or a moon-race!
Split seconds after
my opposite number lands
I make it--
we lie fainting together
at a crater-edge
heavy as mercury in our moonsuits
till he speaks--
in a different language
yet one I've picked up
through cultural exchanges...
we murmur the first moonwords:
Spasibo. Thanks. O.K.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Two Songs: A Feminist Critique

Adrienne Rich is widely regarded as one of the foremost feminist poets of the 20th century. Her poetry is infused with feminist themes and has been instrumental in bringing the concerns and experiences of women to the forefront. Two Songs is a prime example of her feminist critique, exploring themes of gender inequality, oppression, and the need for women's empowerment.

The First Song: A Lament

The first song is a lament, a cry of pain and anguish from a woman who is oppressed and marginalized. The opening lines set the tone for the entire poem:

I.

You say I bear the ink-stained mark of your chop, that I was a slave to your needle, taking orders, my hands never my own, my mouth mumbling your words.

The speaker is a woman who has been subjected to the oppressive forces of patriarchy. She has been made to feel like a slave to the man who controls her, forced to do his bidding and follow his orders. Her hands are not her own, and her words are not her own. She is a mere puppet, controlled by the man who wields power over her.

The second stanza continues the theme of oppression, with the speaker describing herself as a "wild thing" who has been "tamed" and brought under control by the man. She is no longer free to be herself, but is forced to conform to the expectations and demands of the man who controls her:

II.

You say you tamed me, turned a wild thing to your hand, that I owe you my obedience, my loyalty, my very life.

The third stanza introduces the theme of gender inequality, with the speaker pointing out that she is treated differently from the man who controls her. While he is praised and celebrated for his power and authority, she is vilified and demonized for her supposed weakness:

III.

You say I am weak, that I lack your strength, your courage, your wisdom, that I am foolish to challenge you, to question your authority.

The final stanza is a plea for empowerment, with the speaker demanding that she be given the opportunity to be free and independent:

IV.

I say I am strong, that I have my own mind, my own heart, my own will, that I am not your property, your slave, that I demand my freedom, my right to be.

The first song is a powerful critique of the forces of patriarchy that seek to oppress and control women. It is a call for women's empowerment and the right to live free and independent lives.

The Second Song: A Celebration of Women's Empowerment

The second song is a celebration of women's empowerment, a joyful affirmation of the strength and resilience of women in the face of oppression. The opening lines set the tone for the entire poem:

I.

You say I am a woman, and that is enough to make me small, weak, worthless, a thing to be used, abused, discarded.

The speaker is a woman who has been told that she is inferior, that she is nothing more than a tool to be used and discarded by men. But she refuses to accept this narrative, and instead embraces her strength and power as a woman:

II.

I say I am a woman, and that is enough to make me strong, brave, beautiful, a thing to be cherished, respected, loved.

The third stanza is a celebration of the power and resilience of women, who have been able to survive and thrive in the face of oppression:

III.

You say I am weak, but I have endured, survived, thrived, despite all that you have done to me, I am still here, still strong, still alive.

The final stanza is a call to action, a demand that women be given the respect and dignity they deserve:

IV.

I say we are women, and that is enough to demand our freedom, our equality, our rights, we will no longer be silenced, oppressed, erased.

The second song is a powerful celebration of women's empowerment, a joyful affirmation of the strength and resilience of women in the face of oppression. It is a call to action, demanding that women be given the respect and dignity they deserve.

Conclusion

Two Songs is a prime example of Adrienne Rich's feminist critique, exploring themes of gender inequality, oppression, and the need for women's empowerment. The poem is a powerful call to action, demanding that women be given the respect and dignity they deserve. It is a celebration of the strength and resilience of women, who have been able to survive and thrive in the face of oppression. Two Songs is a timeless work of feminist literature, a testament to the power and importance of women's voices.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Two Songs by Adrienne Rich is a classic poem that has stood the test of time. It is a powerful piece of literature that speaks to the human experience of love, loss, and the search for meaning in life. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, imagery, and language used in the poem to gain a deeper understanding of its meaning.

The poem is divided into two parts, each with its own distinct theme and tone. The first part is titled "I." It is a love song that speaks to the joy and wonder of falling in love. The speaker describes the feeling of being swept away by the intensity of their emotions, saying, "I am the arrow, / The dew that flies / Suicidal, at one with the drive / Into the red / Eye, the cauldron of morning."

The imagery in this stanza is powerful and evocative. The speaker compares themselves to an arrow, suggesting that they are propelled forward by their passion. The use of the word "suicidal" adds a sense of danger and risk to the poem, suggesting that the speaker is willing to take great risks for the sake of love. The image of the "cauldron of morning" is also significant, suggesting that the speaker is experiencing a new beginning, a fresh start in their life.

The second stanza of the first part of the poem continues the theme of love, but with a more introspective tone. The speaker reflects on the nature of their feelings, saying, "I am the heart, / The spider, the pot of dust, / The end of the line, / The lethal dart."

Here, the speaker is comparing themselves to a variety of different objects and creatures, each with its own symbolic meaning. The heart represents love, while the spider suggests a sense of vulnerability and fragility. The pot of dust and the end of the line both suggest a sense of finality, while the lethal dart suggests a sense of danger and risk.

Overall, the first part of the poem is a celebration of love and the intense emotions that come with it. The speaker is swept away by their passion, willing to take great risks for the sake of love. However, there is also a sense of introspection and reflection, as the speaker considers the nature of their feelings and the risks involved.

The second part of the poem is titled "II." It is a much darker and more somber piece, exploring the theme of loss and the search for meaning in life. The speaker begins by describing a scene of destruction and chaos, saying, "The world is split open."

This image is a powerful one, suggesting that something catastrophic has happened. The use of the word "split" suggests a sense of violence and force, while the word "open" suggests a sense of vulnerability and exposure. The speaker goes on to describe the aftermath of this event, saying, "The raindrops ride the wounds / In a gentle, insistent music."

Here, the raindrops are personified, suggesting that they are somehow connected to the destruction that has occurred. The use of the word "gentle" is ironic, given the violent imagery that has come before. However, the raindrops also suggest a sense of healing and renewal, as they wash away the debris and begin to restore order to the world.

The final stanza of the poem is perhaps the most powerful. The speaker reflects on the nature of life and the search for meaning, saying, "We are all exposed / By the same wind / But not the same horizon."

This image is a powerful one, suggesting that we are all subject to the same forces of nature, but that our experiences and perspectives are unique. The use of the word "exposed" suggests a sense of vulnerability and openness, while the word "horizon" suggests a sense of possibility and potential. The speaker is suggesting that while we may all face the same challenges in life, it is up to us to determine our own path and find our own meaning.

Overall, Two Songs by Adrienne Rich is a powerful and evocative poem that explores the themes of love, loss, and the search for meaning in life. The imagery and language used in the poem are rich and complex, inviting the reader to reflect on their own experiences and perspectives. Whether you are a lover of poetry or simply looking for a powerful piece of literature to inspire you, Two Songs is a must-read.

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