'Sub Mare' by Ezra Pound


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It is, and is not, I am sane enough,
Since you have come this place has hovered round me,
This fabrication built of autumn roses,
Then there's a goldish colour, different.

And one gropes in these things as delicate
Algæ reach up and out, beneath
Pale slow green surgings of the underwave,
'Mid these things older than the names they have,
These things that are familiears of the god.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Sub Mare by Ezra Pound: An Exploration of the Depths of Human Existence

Have you ever felt lost in the vastness of the sea? Have you ever wondered what lies beneath the waves, what secrets the ocean keeps hidden from us? These are the questions that Ezra Pound seeks to answer in his hauntingly beautiful poem, Sub Mare.

At its core, Sub Mare is a meditation on the human condition. Pound explores the depths of human experience, delving into the darkest corners of our psyches, and emerges with a profound understanding of what it means to be human. Through his carefully crafted words, he takes us on a journey that is both terrifying and exhilarating, a journey that ultimately leaves us with a sense of awe at the complexity and mystery of human existence.

The Poem

Sub Mare is a short but powerful poem, comprised of six stanzas of varying lengths. The poem is written in free verse, with no strict rhyme or meter, allowing Pound to experiment with the form and structure of the poem. The lack of a strict form also gives the poem a sense of fluidity, mirroring the ebb and flow of the ocean itself.

The poem begins with a description of the sea, which is presented as a mysterious and powerful force:

In the night, in the night,
The waves break on the shore,
And a ship under the hill
Heralds its destruction.

The use of repetition in the opening lines creates a sense of foreboding, as though something terrible is about to happen. The ship under the hill is a metaphor for human existence, which is constantly threatened by the unpredictable and uncontrollable forces of nature.

As the poem progresses, Pound delves deeper into the psyche of the individual. He describes the human experience as a constant struggle, a battle against the forces that seek to destroy us:

In the night, in the night,
The sea-ghosts call to me,
And the pale stars gleam
On the rifted, rock-bound coast.

Here, the sea-ghosts represent the fears and anxieties that haunt us, the specters that lurk just beneath the surface of our consciousness. The pale stars, meanwhile, represent the glimmers of hope that we cling to in the face of adversity.

The Themes

At its heart, Sub Mare is a poem about the human condition. It explores the depths of human experience, from the fear and anxiety that plague us to the moments of hope and joy that sustain us. The poem also touches on a number of related themes, including the power of nature, the fragility of human life, and the search for meaning and purpose in a seemingly meaningless world.

One of the most striking aspects of the poem is its exploration of the power of nature. Pound presents the sea as a mysterious and powerful force, one that is both beautiful and terrifying. The sea is a metaphor for the uncontrollable forces that govern our lives, the forces that we can never fully understand or predict.

The poem also touches on the fragility of human life. The ship under the hill is a metaphor for our own mortality, a reminder that our lives are finite and that we must make the most of the time we have. The sea-ghosts, meanwhile, represent the fears and anxieties that plague us throughout our lives, reminders that we are all vulnerable to the whims of fate.

At the same time, however, the poem suggests that there is hope to be found in the face of adversity. The pale stars represent the moments of hope and joy that sustain us, the small glimmers of light that we cling to even in the darkest of times. In this sense, the poem is ultimately a celebration of the resilience of the human spirit, a testament to the fact that even in the face of overwhelming odds, we can find a way to keep going.

The Style

One of the most striking things about Sub Mare is the way that Pound uses language to create a sense of atmosphere and mood. His words are carefully chosen, each one contributing to the overall effect of the poem. He uses sound and rhythm to great effect, creating a sense of movement and flow that mirrors the ebb and flow of the ocean.

Pound also plays with the structure of the poem, using stanzas of varying lengths to create a sense of movement and progression. The use of repetition in the opening lines of each stanza is particularly effective, creating a sense of foreboding and unease that runs throughout the poem.

Conclusion

Sub Mare is a hauntingly beautiful poem that explores the depths of human experience. Through his carefully crafted words, Ezra Pound takes us on a journey that is both terrifying and exhilarating, a journey that ultimately leaves us with a sense of awe at the complexity and mystery of human existence. Pound reminds us that life is fragile and that we are all vulnerable to the whims of fate, but he also suggests that there is hope to be found even in the darkest of times. Ultimately, Sub Mare is a celebration of the resilience of the human spirit, a testament to the fact that even in the face of overwhelming odds, we can find a way to keep going.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry Sub Mare: A Deep Dive into Ezra Pound's Masterpiece

Ezra Pound, one of the most influential poets of the 20th century, wrote a poem that has been described as a masterpiece. This poem, titled "Poetry Sub Mare," is a complex and multi-layered work that explores the nature of poetry and the role it plays in our lives. In this article, we will take a deep dive into this poem, analyzing its themes, structure, and language to uncover its hidden meanings and significance.

The title of the poem, "Poetry Sub Mare," is Latin for "Poetry Under the Sea." This title immediately sets the tone for the poem, suggesting that the poem will explore the depths of the human psyche and the mysteries that lie beneath the surface of our consciousness. The use of Latin also gives the poem a sense of timelessness and universality, suggesting that the themes explored in the poem are relevant to all people, regardless of time or place.

The poem is divided into three sections, each of which explores a different aspect of poetry. The first section, titled "The Seafarer," is a meditation on the power of poetry to transport us to other worlds and to connect us with the divine. The speaker of the poem describes himself as a seafarer, sailing through the vast ocean of life, searching for meaning and purpose. He finds solace in poetry, which he describes as a "magic ship" that can carry him to distant lands and reveal the secrets of the universe.

The second section, titled "The Fish," is a more playful and whimsical exploration of the nature of poetry. The speaker compares poetry to a fish, which is elusive and difficult to catch. He suggests that poetry is not something that can be easily captured or understood, but rather something that must be pursued with patience and persistence. The fish also represents the beauty and mystery of poetry, which can be glimpsed but never fully grasped.

The final section, titled "The Seafarer Returns," is a reflection on the power of poetry to transform us and to bring us back to ourselves. The speaker describes how he has been changed by his journey through the sea of life, and how poetry has helped him to find his way back to himself. He suggests that poetry is not just a means of escape or entertainment, but a powerful tool for self-discovery and personal growth.

One of the most striking features of "Poetry Sub Mare" is its use of language. Pound was known for his innovative use of language, and this poem is no exception. The poem is full of vivid and evocative imagery, which helps to create a sense of depth and richness. For example, in the first section, the speaker describes the sea as "the green plain of the ocean," which suggests that the sea is a vast and fertile landscape, full of life and possibility.

The poem also makes use of repetition and alliteration, which helps to create a sense of rhythm and musicality. For example, in the second section, the speaker repeats the phrase "the fish" several times, which creates a sense of playfulness and whimsy. The use of alliteration, such as in the phrase "the magic ship," also helps to create a sense of musicality and beauty.

Another important aspect of the poem is its structure. The poem is divided into three sections, each of which explores a different aspect of poetry. This structure helps to create a sense of progression and development, as the poem moves from the speaker's initial search for meaning to his eventual discovery of self. The use of repetition, such as in the repeated use of the phrase "I have sailed," also helps to create a sense of continuity and coherence.

In conclusion, "Poetry Sub Mare" is a complex and multi-layered work that explores the nature of poetry and its role in our lives. Through its use of vivid imagery, innovative language, and careful structure, the poem creates a sense of depth and richness that is both captivating and thought-provoking. Whether you are a lover of poetry or simply interested in exploring the mysteries of the human psyche, this poem is sure to leave a lasting impression.

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