Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

In his villanelle "Women in Love," Donald Justice delves into the complexities of desire and the cyclical nature of emotional entrapment. The poem uses the strict form of the villanelle to explore themes of longing, entrapment, and the inevitability of emotional experiences.

The opening line, "It always comes, and when it comes they know," sets the tone for the poem, emphasizing the inevitability of desire. The word "always" suggests that this experience is recurring and unavoidable. The phrase "they know" indicates a deep, almost instinctual understanding of this emotional state, suggesting that the women are familiar with this cycle of desire and its consequences.

The second line, "To will it is enough to bring them there," underscores the power of desire and the mind's role in manifesting it. It implies that simply wanting or willing the experience of love is enough to make it happen. This line also introduces the theme of agency and the idea that the women have some control over their emotional experiences, even if they ultimately become trapped by them.

In the third line, "The knack is this, to fasten and not let go," Justice touches on the concept of attachment. The word "knack" suggests a learned skill or a subtle art, implying that the ability to hold on to desire is something that requires practice and mastery. However, the phrase "not let go" also hints at the potential for obsession or entrapment, suggesting that once they fasten themselves to desire, they find it difficult to release.

The repetition of "Their limbs are charmed; they cannot stay or go" in the fourth line highlights the paradox of desire. The word "charmed" implies enchantment or magic, as if the women are under a spell. This enchantment leaves them in a state of limbo, unable to fully commit to staying or leaving. This line poignantly captures the ambivalence and turmoil that often accompany intense emotional states.

The phrase "Desire is limbo: they're unhappy there" in the fifth line reinforces the notion of being trapped in an in-between state. Limbo, traditionally a place of neither reward nor punishment, represents a state of suspension and uncertainty. The women are stuck in this state of desire, which brings them unhappiness. This line underscores the negative aspects of desire, portraying it as a source of suffering.

In the sixth line, "Their choice of hells would be the one they know," Justice invokes Dante's "Inferno," specifically the circle of hell where souls are tossed by an eternal wind, representing the power of desire and passion. This reference to Dante adds a layer of literary and philosophical depth to the poem, connecting the women's experiences to a larger tradition of exploring human suffering and desire.

The repeated refrain, "It always comes, and when it comes they know," gains more significance with each iteration, emphasizing the inevitability and predictability of their emotional experiences. The wind, described in the seventh line as carrying them "where they want to go," further reinforces the paradox of desire. While the wind takes them to their desired destination, it also seems cruel to those who do not understand or share their experience.

The closing lines of the poem, "The knack is this, to fasten and not let go," repeated once more, bring the villanelle full circle. This repetition underscores the cyclical nature of their emotional experiences and the idea that the struggle with desire is continuous and unending.

Justice's use of the villanelle form, with its strict pattern of repetition, mirrors the repetitive and inescapable nature of the women's experiences with love and desire. The poem captures the tension between the yearning for emotional fulfillment and the inevitable suffering that comes with it, presenting a poignant and timeless exploration of the human condition.

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