Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Solomon Ibn Gabirol's poem "Be Smart With Your Love" is a contemplative reflection on the complexities of love, its wisdom, and the inevitability of revealing true feelings. The poem intertwines practical advice on love with the vivid imagery of harvest and a biblical reference to illustrate the depth and sometimes the difficulty of love.

The poem opens with a piece of advice from a friend: "Be smart with your love," a suggestion that implies the need for caution and discernment in matters of the heart. The phrase "find solid ground for the circle it clears" suggests that love, while it can create a clear and focused space in one's life, needs to be grounded in something stable and secure. This advice underscores the importance of not allowing love to be merely an emotional whim but something that has a strong foundation.

As the speaker reflects on this advice, they are "probing love’s wisdom," trying to understand the deeper implications and truths of love. During this moment of introspection, the presence of Adina, "poised as a queen," adds a layer of tension and perhaps temptation. Her regal poise indicates that she is not only desirable but also commanding in her presence, influencing the speaker’s thoughts on love. Adina’s question, “How long do you think you can hide / your love, refusing to let it be seen—” challenges the speaker, implying that love, once felt, is difficult, if not impossible, to conceal.

The poem then shifts to the imagery of harvest: "when you know the harvest is gathered with hatchets, / by putting the sickle and scythe to the corn." This metaphor of harvesting, which requires decisive action and tools like sickles and scythes, suggests that love, like the harvest, must be approached with intention and effort. The image of the harvest being gathered with "hatchets" implies that love can be a vigorous and perhaps even a violent process, one that requires cutting through obstacles to reap its rewards.

Finally, the poem concludes with a biblical reference: "and Jesse’s David, at love’s extreme, / cried out and sent for Avigal while she mourned." This allusion to the story of David and Abigail (Avigal) from the Hebrew Bible highlights the intensity and urgency of love. David, who falls for Abigail while she is in mourning, exemplifies the idea that love can emerge even in the most unlikely or difficult circumstances. His "crying out" represents a moment of vulnerability and honesty in the face of deep emotion, contrasting with the earlier advice to be cautious.

In "Be Smart With Your Love," Ibn Gabirol explores the tension between the wisdom of being cautious in love and the powerful, sometimes uncontrollable, emotions that love can evoke. The poem suggests that while it is important to be wise and grounded in love, there is also a recognition that love, once it takes hold, is difficult to hide and may require bold action, much like the harvesting of crops. The biblical reference to David and Abigail adds a layer of complexity, showing that love can arise in unexpected ways and that its expression, though potentially fraught with difficulty, is an essential part of the human experience. Through its rich imagery and layered meaning, the poem offers a nuanced view of love as both a powerful force and a delicate balance.

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