Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"I Have Drifted Along This River" by Richard Aldington is a lyrical and deeply evocative poem divided into three sections, each exploring themes of transient beauty, love, loss, and the ephemeral nature of life. The poem is rich in imagery and allusion, drawing on classical and pastoral themes to convey a sense of longing and melancholy.

Section I presents a scene of the speaker drifting along a river and mooring their boat by crossed trunks. The imagery of mist moving "Over fragile leaves and rushes, / Colorless waters and brown, fading hills" creates a sense of fleeting, delicate beauty. The arrival of the other person, likened to "a floating leaf" and "a blue flower of the evening," suggests a transient yet intimate connection. The speaker's plea, "Love me, for I must depart," underscores the temporary nature of this encounter and the impending separation.

In Section II, titled "LESBIA," the tone shifts to one of resignation and reflective sadness. The speaker urges an end to speech, suggesting that words are insufficient to capture the depth of their feelings or the complexity of their relationship. The reference to "the ivory of my life to carve" implies that their life was shaped or influenced by the other person. The mention of Picus of Mirandola and classical deities like Hermes, Thoth, and Bêl, now decayed, symbolizes the passing of time and the fading of once-powerful figures and ideals. The speaker's vision of "your pale Greek face" and the description of being "eager as a little child to love you" convey a mixture of tenderness and sorrow, perhaps reflecting on a love that was unfulfilled or lost.

Section III, "ARGYRIA," shifts the focus to another figure, evoking images of nature and classical mythology. The person is described with pastoral beauty, as "Swayer of reeds, whisperer / Among the flowering rushes." The hiding of hands "Beneath the poplar leaves" and giving them to "the white waters" suggest a relinquishing of something precious or a submission to the flow of nature. The references to "Swallow-fleet; / Sea-child cold from the waves" and "Slight reed that sang so blithely in the wind" continue this natural, somewhat melancholic imagery. The final lines, "Pan mourns for you. / White limbs, white song, / Pan mourns for you," invoke the Greek god Pan, often associated with nature and pastoral scenes, mourning the loss or transformation of this beautiful, ephemeral figure.

Overall, "I Have Drifted Along This River" is a complex and richly textured poem that weaves together themes of transience, love, and the bittersweet nature of beauty and life. Through vivid imagery and classical allusions, Aldington creates a tapestry of emotional depth, reflecting on the fleeting moments of connection and the enduring impact of loss.

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