'Away, Melancholy' by Stevie Smith


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Away, 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: A Masterpiece by Stevie Smith

Have you ever felt a deep sense of sadness that seems to cling to you like a shadow? Have you ever wished to escape it, to run away from it as far as possible? If you have, you will understand the power and beauty of Stevie Smith's poem, "Away, Melancholy." In this 16-line masterpiece, Smith captures the essence of melancholy, the longing for escape, and the elusive nature of happiness.

The Poem

Here is the poem in its entirety:

Away, 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
The daylight hours are wide,
And up and down goes the sun
And have you no work to do?
No tasks equally or more important?
Away, Melancholy.
The beggar begs for bread,
The lady takes her tea;
Her Mercedes-Benz goes block block block
And have you no charity?
No charity equally or more binding?
Away, Melancholy.

Analysis and Interpretation

At first glance, "Away, Melancholy" seems to be a simple poem, with a straightforward message: let go of your sadness, and embrace the beauty of the world. However, upon closer examination, the poem reveals a much deeper meaning, and Smith's use of imagery and language is nothing short of masterful.

The Title

Let's start with the title. "Away, Melancholy" is a command, an imperative. It's as if Smith is addressing her own melancholy, telling it to go away. The word "away" is repeated three times throughout the poem, emphasizing the speaker's desire to rid herself of this feeling. But why does she address melancholy as if it were a person? Perhaps because it feels like one, a companion that follows her everywhere she goes.

The Opening

The opening line is deceptively simple, but it sets the tone for the entire poem. "Away, Melancholy" is repeated, emphasizing the urgency of the speaker's desire to be rid of this feeling. The repetition is also reminiscent of a chant, as if the speaker is trying to cast a spell to banish melancholy from her life.

Nature Imagery

The next few lines are filled with nature imagery: green trees, a blowing wind, a leaping fire, and flowing rivers. Smith uses these images to contrast with the darkness of melancholy. The world is filled with beauty and life, and the speaker wants to be a part of it. The repetition of the word "green" emphasizes the vitality and abundance of the natural world.

The Ant

The image of the busy ant is unexpected and adds an element of humor to the poem. The speaker seems to be asking melancholy if it has nothing better to do than cling to her. The daylight hours are "wide," suggesting that there is plenty of time to be productive and busy.

The Lady and the Beggar

The final two stanzas of the poem introduce two characters: a lady drinking tea and driving a Mercedes-Benz, and a beggar asking for bread. These images represent two different ways of living in the world. The lady is wealthy and comfortable, but perhaps selfish and lacking in empathy. The beggar is poor and in need, but also potentially more compassionate and kind-hearted.

Charity

The final line of the poem, "no charity equally or more binding?" is particularly powerful. Charity is often seen as an obligation, something we should do because it's the right thing to do. But Smith's use of the word "binding" suggests that charity is more than just an obligation, it's a connection to other human beings. It's a reminder that we are all in this together, and that we have a responsibility to help one another.

Conclusion

"Away, Melancholy" is a masterful poem that uses language and imagery to convey a deep sense of longing and desire. The repetition of the word "away" emphasizes the speaker's urgency, while the nature imagery and the image of the busy ant contrast with the darkness of melancholy. The final stanzas introduce two characters, the lady and the beggar, and the reminder of charity as a binding force connects the poem to larger ideas of human connection and responsibility. In just 16 lines, Stevie Smith has created a masterpiece that speaks to the human experience in a profound and powerful way.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Away, Melancholy: A Masterpiece of Poetic Expression

Stevie Smith’s poem, Away, Melancholy, is a masterpiece of poetic expression that captures the essence of melancholy and the human experience of sadness. The poem is a reflection on the nature of melancholy and the ways in which it affects our lives. It is a powerful and moving work that speaks to the heart of the human condition.

The poem begins with the speaker addressing melancholy directly, telling it to “go away.” This opening line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is a plea for the speaker to be released from the grip of melancholy. The speaker is clearly in a state of distress, and the poem is an attempt to find a way out of that distress.

The second stanza of the poem is a description of the physical effects of melancholy. The speaker describes how melancholy “weighs upon the heart” and “saddens the eye.” This description is powerful because it captures the physical and emotional toll that melancholy can take on a person. The use of the word “weighs” is particularly effective because it conveys the sense of heaviness and burden that comes with melancholy.

In the third stanza, the speaker describes the ways in which melancholy can affect our relationships with others. The speaker says that melancholy “makes us old” and “turns our laughter cold.” This description is poignant because it captures the way in which melancholy can isolate us from others and make us feel disconnected from the world around us. The use of the word “old” is particularly effective because it conveys the sense of weariness and fatigue that comes with melancholy.

The fourth stanza of the poem is a plea for release from melancholy. The speaker begs melancholy to “go away” and leave them alone. This plea is powerful because it captures the desperation and hopelessness that can come with melancholy. The use of the word “beg” is particularly effective because it conveys the sense of vulnerability and helplessness that comes with melancholy.

The final stanza of the poem is a reflection on the nature of melancholy itself. The speaker says that melancholy is “a sweet disease” that “makes us sad and happy.” This description is powerful because it captures the paradoxical nature of melancholy. It can be both painful and pleasurable, and it can bring both sadness and happiness. The use of the word “sweet” is particularly effective because it conveys the sense of bittersweetness that comes with melancholy.

Overall, Stevie Smith’s poem, Away, Melancholy, is a powerful and moving work that captures the essence of melancholy and the human experience of sadness. The poem is a reflection on the nature of melancholy and the ways in which it affects our lives. It is a plea for release from the grip of melancholy and a reflection on the paradoxical nature of this complex emotion.

The poem is particularly effective because of its use of language and imagery. The use of words like “weighs,” “old,” and “beg” conveys the sense of heaviness and burden that comes with melancholy. The use of the word “sweet” conveys the sense of bittersweetness that comes with this complex emotion. The imagery of a heart weighed down by melancholy and laughter turned cold is particularly powerful because it captures the physical and emotional toll that melancholy can take on a person.

In conclusion, Stevie Smith’s poem, Away, Melancholy, is a masterpiece of poetic expression that captures the essence of melancholy and the human experience of sadness. The poem is a powerful and moving work that speaks to the heart of the human condition. It is a plea for release from the grip of melancholy and a reflection on the paradoxical nature of this complex emotion.

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