Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Lawrence Durrell's poem "In Crisis" is a haunting exploration of love, inner conflict, and the broader turmoil of the world. The poem juxtaposes intimate, personal moments with the looming presence of global crises, creating a powerful commentary on the fragility of human connection in the face of overwhelming external forces.

The poem opens with a striking image of a lover, exhausted and vulnerable, "letting fall her body" onto the speaker's. The physicality of this moment, described as "Softer than snuff or snow," contrasts with the emotional weight it carries. The lover's body, "won by weariness," suggests a surrender to fatigue, both physical and emotional, as she seeks comfort in the embrace of the speaker. This intimate scene sets the tone for the poem, grounding the reader in the personal and physical before expanding into more abstract and universal themes.

Durrell then delves into the "aboriginal waterways of the mind," a metaphor for the deep, primal aspects of consciousness where unspoken thoughts and "ghostly matters" reside. The reference to a "familiar girl" suggests that these thoughts are both intimate and elusive, much like the sound heard in a sea-shell's helix—something distant and mysterious, yet deeply connected to the listener. This idea of silent communication and unarticulated understanding permeates the poem, emphasizing the ineffable nature of certain emotions and experiences.

The poem's middle section introduces the metaphor of the Gulf Stream, a powerful ocean current, which "can rub soft music from a pebble." This image evokes the idea that even the most inert objects, like a pebble, can produce beauty under the right conditions. The soft music is likened to the quiet whisper of a command—"Kneel down"—which carries both a sense of reverence and submission. The Gulf Stream's ability to influence "memory and conscience like a sin" suggests that external forces, like the ocean current or global events, can profoundly shape our inner lives, often in ways that are beyond our control.

Durrell continues by contemplating the duality of human nature: "The inner man is surely a native of God / And his wife a brilliant novice of nature." This line contrasts the spiritual, divine aspect of humanity with the earthly, natural side, embodied by the woman. The image of the woman as "a lantern swung" in the dark, "a white spark blown between points of pain," reinforces her role as both a source of light and a vessel of suffering. The imagery here is rich with tension, suggesting that love and pain are inextricably linked, each illuminating and intensifying the other.

The poem then shifts back to the physical realm, where the lovers "embrace with the blood," their hearts "tolling" like a bell in the darkness. The comparison of the heart's beating to "the scratch of a match" or "the fire-stone / Struck to a spark" evokes a sense of fragility and the potential for both warmth and destruction. The darkness, which pervades the poem, symbolizes the unknown and the threat of danger, both personal and global.

In the final stanzas, Durrell expands the poem's scope to encompass the broader world, introducing the looming threat of war and violence. The "crass drum" from Tokyo and the "merry crotchet of war" from the hero's hearth bring the distant sounds of conflict into the intimate space of the poem. The image of flame swallowing the lady and "tall men" coming to "cool the royal bush" suggests the destructive power of war, which consumes even the most sacred and personal aspects of life.

Durrell’s mention of the "bugler's octaves" announcing "a new resurrection of terror" highlights the cyclical nature of violence and the relentless march of history. The chilling image of people "giving suck at the bomb's cold nipple" underscores the dehumanizing effects of war, where even nurturing acts are perverted into something grotesque and deadly.

The poem closes with a call to action, urging the reader to "Empty your hearts: or fill from a purer source." This plea suggests a need for spiritual renewal, a turning away from the corrupting influences of the world. Durrell expresses a hope that "what is in men can weep, having eyes"—that humanity can still feel, empathize, and connect despite the overwhelming pressures of the external world. The final line, "And O the rose grow in the middle of the great world," offers a glimmer of hope, symbolizing the possibility of beauty and renewal even amidst chaos and destruction.

"In Crisis" is a powerful meditation on the intersection of personal and global turmoil. Durrell masterfully weaves together intimate imagery with broader themes of conflict, spirituality, and the human condition, creating a poem that resonates with the tensions and uncertainties of its time. The poem challenges the reader to find meaning and connection in a world that often seems dominated by violence and fear, reminding us of the enduring power of love, memory, and hope.

Copyright (c) 2025 PoetryExplorer

Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!

Other Poems of Interest...