Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Randall Jarrell's poem "A Soul" delicately captures the ethereal reunion of a soul with its long-lost partner, intertwining themes of memory, longing, and transcendence within a serene and mystical evening setting. Through its evocative imagery and tender dialogue, the poem explores the profound connection between two beings reuniting after a significant separation.

The poem opens with a tranquil evening scene: "It is evening. One bat dances / Alone, where there were swallows." The solitary bat replacing the swallows signifies a shift from the lively day to the quiet night, setting a contemplative and somewhat melancholic tone. The imagery of the "waterlilies... shadowed / With cattails, the cattails with willows" layers the scene with a sense of depth and reflection, highlighting the interplay of light and shadow that often accompanies twilight.

As the moon sets and the reeds sigh, a profound silence envelops the scene: "Then silence. There is a whisper, / 'Thou art here once more.'" This whisper signals the arrival of a long-anticipated presence, hinting at a supernatural or spiritual reunion. The transition from silence to the whisper introduces an intimate dialogue that becomes the emotional core of the poem.

In the following lines, the castle becomes a place of warmth and familiarity: "In the castle someone is singing. / 'Thou art warm and dry as the sun.'" The singing from the castle contrasts with the silence of the natural surroundings, suggesting a sanctuary or safe haven. The whisperer expresses joy and relief at the reunion: "You whisper, and laugh with joy. / 'Yes, here is one, / 'Here is the other ... Legs ... / And they move so?'" This moment of rediscovery and recognition underscores the physical and emotional reconnection between the two beings.

The response, "I stroke the scales of your breast, and answer: / 'Yes, as you know,'" indicates a familiar, tactile interaction, grounding the reunion in a tender, sensory experience. The scales of the breast evoke a sense of otherworldliness or transformation, adding a layer of mythic or symbolic significance to the reunion.

The dialogue continues with a poignant reflection on the passage of time and the enduring bond between the two: "But you murmur, 'How many years / Thou hast wandered there above! / Many times I had thought thee lost / Forever, my poor love.'" These lines convey the deep sorrow and anxiety of separation, as well as the enduring hope and love that sustained the waiting soul. The repetition of "How many years, how many years" emphasizes the length and emotional weight of the separation.

The concluding lines reinforce the theme of reunion and the relief that comes with it: "Many times I had thought thee lost, / My poor soul, forever." The repeated refrain underscores the relief and gratitude felt by the speaker, who feared the soul might be lost forever but now celebrates the joyous return.

In "A Soul," Randall Jarrell weaves a narrative of longing and reunion through evocative imagery and tender dialogue. The poem's serene evening setting and mystical elements create a timeless and universal story of love and connection, offering a meditation on the enduring nature of the soul and the joy of rediscovering a lost companion. The delicate interplay of light and shadow, sound and silence, and the tender exchanges between the two beings capture the essence of a reunion that transcends physical and temporal boundaries, highlighting the profound bond that persists despite years of separation.

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