Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Reconciliation" by Cecil Day-Lewis presents a vivid and poignant depiction of a soldier's experience and internal journey towards peace amidst the chaos of war. Through a series of evocative images and metaphors, the poem explores themes of trauma, memory, and the possibility of finding internal harmony in the aftermath of violence.

The opening stanza introduces us to the soldier, who has been severely wounded beside a "shattered tank." The imagery of being "like a limp creature hacked out of its shell" conveys a sense of vulnerability and exposure, suggesting that the soldier has been irrevocably changed by his experiences. The "desert’s grid" and the "sharp-set ridge of pain" further emphasize the harshness of his environment and the acute nature of his suffering.

As the poem progresses, the sound of a "roar, like water, in his ear" signals a shift from the physical to the psychological realm. The "cool coffin of stone walls" metaphorically represents a space of introspection and containment, contrasting with the chaotic and exposed environment of the battlefield. This transition from external to internal space allows the soldier to confront his memories and the reality of his experiences.

The middle stanzas delve deeper into the soldier's psyche, where "The time that was, the time that might have been" converge. This meeting place within the "shell of stone" offers a fleeting opportunity for reconciliation between past and present, between what was and what could have been. The imagery of a "world without, a world within" wrestling "like old antagonists" captures the internal conflict that the soldier faces, struggling to reconcile his experiences with his sense of self.

Ultimately, the poem culminates in a moment of balance and peace. The metaphorical "lock gates" open, signaling a release of tension and the achievement of equilibrium between the conflicting forces within the soldier. The final image of "argent, swan-assembled reaches" conveys a sense of serenity and purity, suggesting that the soldier has found a form of internal reconciliation that allows him to envision a peaceful, if distant, horizon.

"Reconciliation" is a powerful meditation on the impact of war on the human psyche and the difficult, yet possible, journey towards inner peace. Cecil Day-Lewis uses the soldier's experience as a lens through which to explore broader themes of trauma, memory, and the search for harmony within oneself. Through its vivid imagery and emotional depth, the poem offers a hopeful perspective on the capacity for healing and reconciliation in the aftermath of violence.

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