Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

In "Now", Ada Hastings Hedges presents a contemplative reflection on the tension between the transient nature of the physical body and the eternal, boundless spirit. The poem addresses the inevitability of death and the desire to fully experience life in the present, particularly in terms of physical existence. Through her exploration of the body’s impermanence and the spirit’s quest for freedom, Hedges emphasizes the urgency of satisfying the body’s hunger for life, recognizing the fleeting nature of its experience.

The poem opens with a clear distinction between the spirit and the body: "Not for my spirit’s sake, I said; / My spirit’s hunger may be fed." The speaker acknowledges that the spirit’s needs and desires can be fulfilled in time, as it is unbounded by the limitations of the physical world. The spirit, the speaker suggests, is destined for "other quests to other stars," its journey extending beyond earthly existence. This imagery of the spirit as a "gull from some dark stream" conveys a sense of freedom and expansiveness, as if the spirit is not confined to one place or one lifetime, but capable of soaring ever higher, "dream by dream."

In contrast to the limitless potential of the spirit, the body is portrayed as bound by its own impermanence. The body’s "pulses beat / Their wistful rhythm of defeat," suggesting that physical existence is marked by a sense of inevitable loss or limitation. The use of "wistful" conveys a longing for something beyond the body’s capabilities, while the "rhythm of defeat" acknowledges the eventual end of life that awaits all physical beings. The body’s fate is "surrender on a hill," a metaphor for death and burial, where it will return to the earth and become "dust."

The poem’s central tension lies in the contrast between the eternal nature of the spirit and the temporary, fragile existence of the body. While the spirit will continue to "widen" and "dream," the body is bound by its "lonely destiny of dust," an acknowledgment of the stark reality of mortality. This recognition of the body’s fate does not diminish its importance, however. Rather, it heightens the speaker’s awareness of the present moment and the need to fully embrace the physical experience of life. The repetition of the phrase "this hour, this hour, I said" underscores the urgency of seizing the present, as the body’s time is limited.

In the final lines, the speaker declares, "My body’s hunger must be fed." This statement affirms the importance of satisfying the body’s desires and needs, recognizing that the physical experience is an essential part of being alive. The hunger referenced here is not just literal but symbolic of the body’s longing for connection, sensation, and vitality. The speaker understands that while the spirit may continue its journey after death, the body must be nourished in the here and now, as it is bound by time and destined to decay.

In "Now", Ada Hastings Hedges poignantly explores the relationship between the body and the spirit, recognizing both the limitations of physical existence and its significance. The poem emphasizes the need to fully experience the present, to satisfy the body’s hunger for life, even as the inevitability of death looms. Through its exploration of mortality, the poem encourages readers to appreciate the fleeting nature of life and the importance of living fully in the moment.

Copyright (c) 2025 PoetryExplorer

Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!

Other Poems of Interest...