Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Irving Feldman's poem "Song" captures the exhilaration of love and the urgency it brings to reunite with a beloved. The speaker’s voice is filled with uncontainable joy, transforming the mundane cityscape into a backdrop for a personal celebration of love. Through simple yet expressive language, Feldman conveys a vivid emotional landscape.

The poem begins with a direct declaration: “I’m in love.” This straightforward statement immediately sets the tone of excitement and fulfillment. The urgency is palpable in the next lines: “Home I rush; / Can’t get home fast enough.” The repetition of “home” emphasizes the speaker's destination and the longing to reach the beloved.

The speaker's journey is framed against the bustling city, where they observe “the sad people.” The contrast between the speaker's joy and the sadness around them is stark: “O what a pity / They aren’t happy.” The “sad people” highlight the speaker’s own state of bliss, creating a contrast that intensifies their joy. The speaker’s empathy—expressed through the phrase “O what a pity”—suggests an awareness of others’ struggles but also a sense of separation due to their own happiness.

As the speaker gets closer to home, the dimensions of time and space seem to warp in response to their excitement: “Space grows less / Time grows less.” The diminishing space and time represent the collapsing distance between the speaker and their beloved. The repetition of “less” creates a rhythmic urgency that mirrors the speaker’s quickening pace.

The second half of the poem becomes a mantra of anticipation and love: “Soon I’ll find you / Near I’ll find you.” The repetition underscores the certainty of reunion and the nearness of the beloved. The mantra culminates in a blessing: “God bless you / God bless you.” These lines convey the speaker’s deep gratitude and reverence for the beloved, as well as a desire for their well-being.

Structurally, the poem is concise and employs short lines that heighten the sense of immediacy. Feldman’s use of repetition creates a rhythmic flow that mirrors the speaker’s hurried pace through the city. The language is simple and colloquial, making the emotions accessible and relatable.

Overall, "Song" is a joyful and intimate celebration of love. Feldman captures the speaker's elation and urgency, juxtaposing it against the sadness of the city. The poem’s brevity and simplicity highlight the purity of the speaker's emotions, making it a powerful expression of love's transformative and uplifting power.

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