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Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained | |||
"Definition" by Paul Blackburn is a poignant and contemplative poem that explores themes of freedom, longing, and the inherent tensions within human relationships. Through the vivid imagery of a swimmer moving away from the shore and the observations of those left behind, Blackburn delves into the nature of individuality, connection, and the pursuit of something beyond the immediate. The opening line, "Long ago and far away," immediately sets a tone of reminiscence and distance, suggesting that the events described are not only spatially but also temporally removed from the present. This sense of detachment is reinforced by the image of the swimmer heading out into the bay, an act that is both physically and metaphorically a journey away from the familiar and the safe. The meticulous description of the swimmer's movements—"arm lift, plunge down, the head turning"—captures the rhythm and isolation of swimming in open water. The phrase "my heart you may swim forever / out" expresses a deep yearning, perhaps for freedom or for the ability to pursue one's own path indefinitely, unencumbered by the constraints of the world. The mention of the horizon where "Sea and sky meet, change" raises questions about the nature of reality and perception. Blackburn asks, "why / are we not this real intensity forever?" suggesting a longing for the moments of clarity and transcendence that come from experiencing the world in its most elemental forms. The contrast between this desire for intensity and the observation that "The world else is brown and calculated" highlights the mundane, often uninspiring nature of everyday life. On the beach, the woman watching the swimmer and the dog sitting "Between her legs" introduces a domestic element to the poem, grounding the swimmer's solitary act in the context of relationships and responsibilities. The dog's eagerness to join the swimmer and the woman's restraint of the animal underscore the themes of desire and limitation, both in terms of the dog's instinctual urge to follow and the woman's protective control. The observation that watching the swimmer move away is "a kind of death" captures the sense of loss and separation that accompanies watching a loved one pursue their own journey. The diminishing figure of the swimmer, "his head getting smaller and smaller," becomes a metaphor for the distancing that occurs in relationships when individuals seek their own experiences and truths. The poem concludes with the statement, "The swimmer is himself," affirming the individuality and self-possession of the person who chooses to swim away. This final line encapsulates the poem's exploration of the tension between the desire for connection and the need for personal freedom. "Definition" invites readers to reflect on the complexities of human relationships, the allure of the unknown, and the ways in which love and longing manifest in our interactions with one another. Through Blackburn's careful crafting of imagery and emotion, the poem becomes a meditation on the definitions we seek and the definitions we embody as we navigate the vastness of our internal and external landscapes. POEM TEXT: https://writing.upenn.edu/epc/authors/blackburn/blackburn_definition.html
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