Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Howard Nemerov’s poem "Madrigal" is a poignant reflection on the transformation of love and the encompassing nature of darkness. Using the musical and lyrical qualities of a madrigal, Nemerov conveys a deep sense of loss and the melancholic beauty of a world overshadowed by sorrow.

The poem begins with a powerful contrast: "She is the darkness where I wander / Who was the light that found my way." This juxtaposition sets the tone, highlighting the dramatic shift from light to darkness. The woman, once a source of guidance and clarity for the speaker, has become an embodiment of darkness. This transformation signifies a profound change in the speaker's emotional landscape, where the light of love has been extinguished, leaving only shadows.

In the lines "What time and choice have torn asunder / Come together in no day," Nemerov reflects on the irreversible nature of the separation. The phrase "no day" emphasizes the absence of resolution or reconciliation, underscoring a sense of eternal loss. The past and present cannot be reconciled, and the hope for a brighter future seems unattainable.

The speaker describes how "Blackness her great beauty bringeth / Upon me, and I go my way / Singing as one lonely, that singeth / Unregarding and astray." Despite the darkness that now defines the woman, there is an acknowledgment of its strange beauty. The speaker's loneliness is highlighted through the imagery of a solitary singer, aimless and detached. The act of singing "unregarding and astray" suggests a melancholic acceptance of this new reality, where the song is both an expression of sorrow and a means of navigating the enveloping darkness.

The poem continues to explore the shared nature of this desolation: "Night time on her also is fallen, / Shadow clouds her perfect way." This indicates that the woman, too, is affected by the darkness, suggesting a mutual entanglement in their sorrow. The "winter sun rides sullen / And shines not on the dark day," reinforcing the bleakness of their situation. The winter sun, often associated with cold and minimal light, underscores the lack of warmth and illumination in their lives.

In the final stanza, Nemerov expands the impact of this darkness to a broader, more universal level: "To such a year no springtime riseth, / Nor is no excellence in May, / But darkness in the sky abideth / Where the world wanders astray." The absence of spring and May, symbols of renewal and beauty, suggests a disruption in the natural cycle of life. The persistent darkness in the sky signifies a world lost and directionless, mirroring the inner turmoil of the speaker. The phrase "where the world wanders astray" captures the sense of global and existential disorientation, where both the speaker and the world are adrift in a sea of darkness.

"Madrigal" by Howard Nemerov masterfully uses the form’s lyrical and musical qualities to delve into themes of loss, transformation, and existential wandering. Through its evocative imagery and melancholic tone, the poem conveys the sorrowful beauty of a world overshadowed by darkness, where love has been transformed into an eternal night. This reflection on the nature of loss and the human experience of navigating through sorrow resonates deeply, capturing the profound impact of emotional and existential dislocation.

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