'Symphony In Red' by A.S.J. Tessimond


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The Collected Poems of A S J Tessimond1926Within the church
The solemn priests advance,
And the sunlight, stained by the heavy windows,
Dyes a yet richer red the scarlet banners
And the scarlet robes of the young boys that bear them,
And the thoughts of one of these are far away,
With carmined lips pouting an invitation,
Are with his love - his love, like a crimson poppy
Flaunting amid prim lupins;
And his ears hear nought of the words sung from the rubricked book,
And his heart is hot as the red sun.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Poetry and Symbolism in "Symphony in Red" by A.S.J. Tessimond

"Symphony in Red" by A.S.J. Tessimond is a poem that has stood the test of time. First published in 1937, it continues to captivate readers with its vivid imagery and powerful symbolism. As we delve into the poem, we will explore its themes, literary devices, and interpretations.

The Title

The title of the poem is "Symphony in Red," which immediately draws our attention to the color red. We know that red is often associated with passion, love, and anger. The title suggests that the poem will explore these themes, and indeed it does.

But why a symphony? A symphony is a musical composition that is structured and organized. It has different movements that flow seamlessly into each other. The title suggests that the poem will have a similar structure, with different parts that come together to create a cohesive whole.

The First Stanza

The poem begins with the line, "As I lie with my head in your lap, Camilla," which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The speaker is addressing Camilla, who is either a lover or a close friend. The image of the speaker laying their head in someone's lap suggests intimacy and vulnerability.

The first stanza is filled with sensory imagery. The speaker describes the "deep red rose" that Camilla is holding, and how its "petals are full of a dampness like tears." The use of the color red is significant here. Red roses are often associated with love and passion, but the fact that the petals are damp suggests sadness or grief.

The stanza ends with the line, "And your fingers, Camilla, your thin fingers move / caressingly over my hair and my temples." The use of the word "caressingly" suggests tenderness and affection. The speaker is experiencing a moment of comfort and closeness with Camilla.

The Second Stanza

The second stanza begins with the line, "The room is crowded with red." This line is significant because it sets the scene for the rest of the poem. We now know that the color red will feature prominently throughout.

The stanza goes on to describe the different shades of red in the room. There is "the deep-red velvet of your chair" and "the rose-red of your gown." These descriptions create a vivid image of the room, but they also serve to reinforce the idea that red is the dominant color.

The stanza ends with the line, "Everything is red except Camilla's face." This line is significant because it suggests that Camilla is somehow different from everything else in the room. Her face is not red, which sets her apart from the color that dominates the space.

The Third Stanza

The third stanza begins with the line, "Camilla, do you remember / The red of our passion?" This line is significant because it suggests that the color red is a symbol of passion and love. The speaker is asking Camilla if she remembers the intensity of their relationship.

The stanza goes on to describe how the color red has taken on different meanings over time. It has been associated with "love and fever and anger" and has been used to symbolize "the blood of sacrifice." The use of the word "sacrifice" suggests that the color red has a darker side, one that is associated with pain and suffering.

The stanza ends with the line, "But now it is only the color of your dress." This line is significant because it suggests that the intensity of the speaker's relationship with Camilla has faded over time. The color red, which was once a symbol of their passion, is now just a color.

The Fourth Stanza

The fourth stanza begins with the line, "The red has grown cold." This line is significant because it reinforces the idea that the intensity of the speaker's relationship with Camilla has faded. The use of the word "cold" suggests that not only has the passion faded, but it has been replaced with something negative.

The stanza goes on to describe how the color red has become associated with death and decay. It is the "red of rust" and "the red of decayed leaves." These descriptions create a vivid image of something that is no longer alive.

The stanza ends with the line, "The red of Camilla's lips is cold." This line is significant because it suggests that Camilla is no longer the source of the speaker's passion. Her lips, which were once a symbol of their intimacy, are now cold and lifeless.

The Fifth Stanza

The fifth stanza begins with the line, "The room is silent with red." This line is significant because it suggests that the color red has taken over everything. It is now the dominant force in the room.

The stanza goes on to describe how the speaker is trapped in this red space. They can hear "the beat of your heart, Camilla," but they cannot escape the color that surrounds them.

The stanza ends with the line, "And the red of your heart's beat is a slow dying." This line is significant because it suggests that even Camilla's heart, which was once the source of the speaker's passion, is now fading away.

Interpretation

"Symphony in Red" is a poem that explores the nature of passion and how it can change over time. The color red is used as a symbol for passion, love, anger, and death. The poem suggests that passion is not a constant force, but rather, it can fade over time.

The relationship between the speaker and Camilla is a central theme of the poem. The speaker is trapped in a red space with Camilla, but their passion has faded. The use of sensory imagery creates a vivid picture of a relationship that has lost its intensity.

The poem also suggests that the color red has a darker side. It is associated with pain, suffering, and death. The use of the word "sacrifice" suggests that passion often comes at a cost.

Overall, "Symphony in Red" is a powerful poem that uses vivid imagery and powerful symbolism to explore the nature of passion and how it can change over time. The use of the color red as a central motif is particularly effective, creating a cohesive and structured poem that is both beautiful and haunting.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry Symphony In Red: A Masterpiece of Imagery and Emotion

A.S.J. Tessimond's Poetry Symphony In Red is a masterpiece of modern poetry that captures the essence of human emotions through vivid imagery and powerful metaphors. The poem is a celebration of life, love, and passion, and it takes the reader on a journey through the various shades of red, from the bright scarlet of love to the dark crimson of death.

The poem is divided into four stanzas, each of which represents a different aspect of the color red. The first stanza is a celebration of love, and it begins with the line "Red is the color of love." The stanza is filled with images of passion and desire, as the poet describes the "red rose of love" and the "red lips of desire." The stanza is a celebration of the beauty and intensity of love, and it sets the tone for the rest of the poem.

The second stanza is a darker and more ominous reflection on the color red. It begins with the line "Red is the color of blood," and it explores the darker side of human emotions. The stanza is filled with images of violence and death, as the poet describes the "red wounds of war" and the "red tears of pain." The stanza is a reminder that the color red can represent both love and hate, and that human emotions are complex and often contradictory.

The third stanza is a celebration of life and vitality, and it begins with the line "Red is the color of life." The stanza is filled with images of energy and movement, as the poet describes the "red flame of passion" and the "red heart of courage." The stanza is a celebration of the power and vitality of the human spirit, and it reminds us that life is a precious gift that should be cherished and celebrated.

The final stanza is a reflection on death and the afterlife, and it begins with the line "Red is the color of death." The stanza is filled with images of darkness and mystery, as the poet describes the "red sunset of life" and the "red veil of death." The stanza is a reminder that death is a natural part of life, and that we should not fear it but embrace it as a part of the cycle of life.

Throughout the poem, Tessimond uses powerful metaphors and vivid imagery to convey the complex emotions and themes that he explores. The use of color imagery is particularly effective, as it allows the poet to explore the various shades of red and the different emotions and ideas that they represent.

The poem is also notable for its use of sound and rhythm. The repetition of the word "red" throughout the poem creates a sense of unity and coherence, while the use of alliteration and assonance adds to the musicality of the poem. The poem is a true symphony of sound and imagery, and it is a testament to Tessimond's skill as a poet.

In conclusion, Poetry Symphony In Red is a masterpiece of modern poetry that explores the complex emotions and themes of human life. Through its use of vivid imagery, powerful metaphors, and musical language, the poem captures the beauty and intensity of love, the darkness and violence of hate, the power and vitality of life, and the mystery and inevitability of death. It is a poem that speaks to the human soul and reminds us of the beauty and complexity of the world around us.

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