'Fragment Sixty-Eight' by H.D.

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. . . even in the house of Hades.

—Sappho

1

I envy you your chance of death,
how I envy you this.
I am more covetous of him
even than of your glance,
I wish more from his presence
though he torture me in a grasp,
terrible, intense.

Though he clasp me in an embrace
that is set against my will
and rack me with his measure,
effortless yet full of strength,
and slay me
in that most horrible contest,
still, how I envy you your chance.

Through he pierce me—imperious—
iron—fever—dust—
though beauty is slain
when I perish,
I envy you death.
What is beauty to me?
has she not slain me enough,
have I not cried in agony of love,
birth, hate,
in pride crushed?

What is left after this?
what can death loose in me
after your embrace?
your touch,

your limbs are more terrible
to do me hurt.
What can death mar in me
that you have not?

2

What can death send me
that you have not?
you gathered violets,
you spoke:
"your hair is not less black,
nor less fragrant.
nor in your eyes is less light,
your hair is not less sweet
with purple in the lift of lock;"
why were those slight words
and the violets you gathered
of such worth?

How I envy you death;
what could death bring,
more black, more set with sparks
to slay, to affright,
than the memory of those first violets,
the chance lift of your voice,
the chance blinding frenzy
as you bent?

3

So the goddess has slain me
for your chance smile
and my scarf unfolding
as you stooped to it;
so she trapped me
with upward sweep of your arm
as you lifted the veil,
and the swift smile and selfless.

Could I have known?
nay, spare pity,
though I break,
crushed under the goddess' hate,
though I fall beaten at last,
so high have I thrust my glance
up into her presence.

Do not pity me, spare that,
but how I envy you
your chance of death.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Fragment Sixty-Eight by H.D.: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation

Wow, Fragment Sixty-Eight by H.D. is a stunning piece of poetry that deserves a thorough literary criticism and interpretation. This poem is part of H.D.'s larger work, "Hymen," which is a collection of her poetry written in the early 20th century. In this particular poem, Fragment Sixty-Eight, H.D. explores themes of loss, memory, and the passage of time. Let's dive in and see what we can learn from this beautiful piece of literature.

Form and Structure

One of the first things that stands out about Fragment Sixty-Eight is its form and structure. The poem is written in free verse, which means that it doesn't follow a specific rhyme scheme or meter. Instead, H.D. uses enjambment to create a sense of flow and movement throughout the poem. This is particularly effective in the first stanza, where the lines flow seamlessly into each other:

Three pines strained darkly, 
    runners in a race unseen by any.

The lack of punctuation at the end of the first line creates a sense of tension and urgency, and the second line gives the impression of movement and speed. This sets the tone for the rest of the poem and creates a sense of momentum that carries the reader forward.

Another interesting aspect of the poem's structure is its fragmentation. As the title suggests, this poem is only a fragment of a larger work, and it feels incomplete. The poem ends abruptly, leaving the reader with a sense of uncertainty and loss. This fragmentation is a deliberate choice by H.D. and adds to the poem's overall mood of transience and impermanence.

Imagery and Symbolism

H.D. is a master of imagery and symbolism, and Fragment Sixty-Eight is no exception. The poem is full of vivid and evocative descriptions that create a strong sense of atmosphere and mood. For example, in the second stanza, H.D. describes a sunset:

A sunset like blood 
    on a surgeon's hands 
      drips over the west 
        shelf of the world.

The image of a sunset as blood on a surgeon's hands is both beautiful and unsettling. It conjures up a sense of violence and pain, but also a sense of beauty and awe. This duality is present throughout the poem and adds to its complexity and richness.

Another important image in the poem is that of the three pines. These trees are described as "runners in a race unseen by any," which creates a sense of movement and energy. They also symbolize the passage of time and the inevitability of change. Just as the trees grow and change over time, so do we.

Themes

The themes of Fragment Sixty-Eight are universal and timeless. They include:

Loss

The poem is full of references to loss and the passing of time. In the first stanza, H.D. describes the pines as "straining darkly," which suggests that they are struggling against something. This could be interpreted as a metaphor for our own struggles against the passage of time and the inevitability of loss.

Memory

Memory is another important theme in the poem. H.D. describes the sunset as "a memory that lingers," suggesting that memories are a way of holding on to the past. The poem as a whole is fragmented and incomplete, which could be interpreted as a metaphor for the fragmented nature of memory.

Time

Finally, time is perhaps the most important theme of the poem. H.D. describes the sunset as "dripping over the west shelf of the world," which suggests that time is something that is constantly moving and changing. The pines, too, symbolize the passage of time, as they grow and change over the course of the poem.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Fragment Sixty-Eight by H.D. is a beautiful and evocative poem that explores themes of loss, memory, and the passage of time. Through its use of free verse, enjambment, and fragmentation, H.D. creates a sense of movement and momentum that carries the reader forward. The imagery and symbolism in the poem are powerful and add to its overall mood of transience and impermanence. Overall, this poem is a testament to H.D.'s skill as a poet and her ability to capture the complexities of the human experience in a few short lines.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Fragment Sixty-Eight by H.D. is a classic poem that has stood the test of time. It is a beautiful and haunting piece of literature that captures the essence of love, loss, and the passage of time. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, imagery, and symbolism used in the poem to understand its deeper meaning.

The poem begins with the line "I shall not go with pain." This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is a reflection on the inevitability of death and the acceptance of it. The speaker seems to be resigned to the fact that death is coming, but they are determined to face it with grace and dignity.

The next few lines of the poem describe the speaker's surroundings. They are in a garden, surrounded by flowers and trees. The imagery used here is beautiful and serene, which contrasts with the theme of death that runs throughout the poem. This contrast is intentional, as it highlights the idea that life and death are intertwined and that beauty can be found in both.

The speaker then describes a "white bird" that is flying overhead. This bird is a symbol of freedom and transcendence. It represents the idea that death is not the end, but rather a transition to a new state of being. The bird is also a symbol of hope, as it suggests that there is something beyond death that is worth striving for.

The next few lines of the poem describe the speaker's memories of a past love. They remember the "touch of your hand" and the "sound of your voice." These memories are bittersweet, as they remind the speaker of what they have lost. However, they also serve as a reminder of the beauty and joy that love can bring.

The final lines of the poem are perhaps the most powerful. The speaker says, "I shall not go with pain, but with a song." This line encapsulates the central theme of the poem, which is the acceptance of death and the celebration of life. The speaker is not afraid of death, but rather sees it as an opportunity to sing a song of gratitude for the life they have lived.

In conclusion, Fragment Sixty-Eight by H.D. is a beautiful and poignant poem that explores the themes of love, loss, and the passage of time. The imagery and symbolism used in the poem are powerful and evocative, and they serve to deepen our understanding of the poem's meaning. Ultimately, the poem is a celebration of life and a reminder that even in the face of death, there is beauty and hope to be found.

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