Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Absence" by Richard Aldington is a deeply evocative poem that delves into the intense emotions associated with separation and longing. Aldington, known for his involvement in the Imagist movement, which emphasized clarity and precision in language, often explored themes of love, loss, and the impact of war. This poem, while not directly referencing war, resonates with the sense of loss and longing that permeates much of his work, possibly influenced by his own experiences during World War I and his tumultuous personal life.

The poem begins with a depiction of time passing drearily, each day and night lacking vitality and warmth due to the absence of the beloved. The repetition of "Because you are not with me" emphasizes the centrality of the beloved's absence to the speaker's suffering. The imagery of cold, wan days and cheerless, indifferent nights captures the profound sense of emptiness and desolation felt in the absence of the loved one. This absence is not just physical but also emotional, creating a void that pervades the speaker's existence.

Aldington's use of visceral and passionate language in the middle stanzas illustrates the intensity of the speaker's longing. The desire for the beloved's lips, the closeness of their embrace, and the longing gaze into each other's eyes are expressed with a fervor that borders on desperation. The physicality of these descriptions conveys a deep yearning not just for the presence of the beloved but for the intimate, physical connection they share. The "loveliness of your flesh" being denied is particularly poignant, highlighting the physical and sensual aspects of their relationship that the speaker misses.

The speaker's emotions intensify as the poem progresses, moving from sadness and longing to a fierce indignation and a sense of humiliation. The feeling of being "chained away" from the beloved suggests a sense of helplessness and frustration. The speaker's desire is all-consuming, to the point where even having half of the beloved's presence is not enough; the speaker craves total union and fulfillment.

In the concluding stanzas, the speaker's desperation reaches a peak. The choice presented between death and the presence of the beloved underscores the extremity of the speaker's longing. The mention of "loving me, beautifully piercing me to life" suggests a transformative power that the beloved's presence and love hold for the speaker. The final lines, "But not this, not this bitterness, this grief, / This long torture of absence," reiterate the unbearable nature of the separation.

The poem's structure, devoid of a strict rhyme scheme or consistent meter, mirrors the tumultuous and uncontrolled nature of the emotions being expressed. The language is direct and unadorned, in line with the Imagist principles, yet it conveys a depth of feeling that is profoundly moving.

In sum, "Absence" by Richard Aldington is a powerful expression of longing and desire, marked by its intense emotional depth and vivid imagery. It captures the universal human experience of longing for a loved one, the pain of separation, and the all-encompassing nature of desire. The poem's raw honesty and the intensity of its emotions make it a compelling and deeply resonant work.

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