Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Jorge Luis Borges' poem "To Rafael Cansinos Assens" is a deeply reflective and poignant meditation on the themes of separation, friendship, and the inevitable passage of time. The poem, addressed to the Spanish writer and mentor Rafael Cansinos Assens, captures the emotions surrounding a final parting and the enduring bond between two kindred spirits despite the physical distance that will soon separate them.

The poem begins with a powerful image of a "long and final passage over the breathtaking height of the trestle’s span." This metaphor of crossing a bridge serves as an allegory for the transitional moment the two friends are experiencing. The "breathtaking height" suggests the significance and emotional weight of this moment, while the "trestle’s span" symbolizes the connection that has bridged their lives and now leads to an inevitable separation. The imagery of the wind groping for sails and stars throbbing with intensity evokes a sense of vastness and the sublime, underscoring the magnitude of the moment and the deep emotions it stirs.

Borges writes, "We relish the taste of the night, transfixed by darkness—night become now again a habit of our flesh." Here, night becomes a symbol of the familiar comfort shared between the two, a recurring state of reflection and connection that they have experienced together. The night is not merely a time of day but a profound state of being that they have grown accustomed to, one that is now coming to an end as they prepare to part ways.

The poem poignantly captures the "final night of our talking before the sea-miles part us." The physical separation that the sea represents is emblematic of the emotional distance that will soon exist between them. Yet, in this moment, they are still united in a "silence where like meadows the voices glitter." This silence, rich with unspoken understanding, becomes a space where their thoughts and voices continue to resonate with one another, even as they face the impending separation.

Borges then introduces the image of dawn as "still a bird lost in the most distant vileness of the world." Dawn, typically a symbol of hope and new beginnings, is here portrayed as distant and elusive, suggesting the uncertainty and melancholy that accompanies their farewell. The dawn’s lostness in the "vileness of the world" reflects the harsh reality that will soon intrude upon the quietude of their shared night.

The poet acknowledges the "great wind of absence" that will soon blow through their lives, marking the transition from presence to absence, from companionship to solitude. This "inwardness of Good-bye" is described as "tragic like that of every event in which Time is manifest." The act of saying goodbye becomes a deeply tragic event because it is a manifestation of time's relentless progression, a reminder of the impermanence of all things and the inevitability of change.

The bitterness of the realization that "we shall not even have the stars in common" speaks to the profound sense of loss that comes with the recognition that their shared experiences will no longer be possible. The stars, a symbol of something timeless and universal, are no longer a common point of reference for them, highlighting the extent of their separation.

Despite the looming separation, Borges finds solace in the continued connection through their work and memories. "When evening is quietness in my patio, from your pages morning will rise. Your winter will be the shadow of my summer and your light the glory of my shadow." These lines suggest that their intellectual and emotional connection will persist, even across distances and time zones. The metaphor of their different seasons and times of day intertwining signifies that while they may be apart, they will continue to influence and reflect one another in subtle, enduring ways.

The poem concludes on a note of unity: "Still we persist together. Still our two voices achieve understanding like the intensity and tenderness of sundown." Even as they part, their bond remains strong, their voices still in harmony, much like the colors of the sky during a sunset—intense yet tender, signaling the end of a day but also the beauty in that closure.

In "To Rafael Cansinos Assens," Borges offers a deeply moving reflection on friendship, the passage of time, and the enduring connections that transcend physical separation. The poem captures the melancholy of parting but also the hope that true understanding and connection can persist beyond the constraints of time and space, living on in the shared memories, words, and experiences that bind us together.

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