Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Before Parting" by Richard Aldington is a deeply passionate and intense poem that explores themes of love, desire, and the looming shadow of war. The poem reflects the emotional turmoil and urgency often experienced during times of conflict, where moments of intimacy and connection are heightened against the backdrop of impending separation and potential loss. Aldington, known for his contributions to the Imagist movement, which emphasized clarity and precision of language and imagery, here employs a more fluid and emotive style, reflecting the poem's intense emotional content.

The poem begins with a powerful invocation of love amidst chaos and destruction: "Love, though the whole earth crumble and rock, / With the shattering roar of the guns' huge booming." This opening sets the scene in a world torn apart by war, where the stability of the earth itself seems to be under threat. The speaker acknowledges the horror of war ("din and flame and murder") and the possibility of not returning from battle, creating a sense of urgency and desperation in the plea for love.

The speaker implores for a moment of pure, unadulterated love in the face of this chaos: "Give me, O love, your love for this last brief season, / Be mine indeed as I am yours for ever." This request for love, even if only for a brief time, highlights the transience of human connections in the face of war's unpredictability.

The poem then shifts to a more intimate setting, with the speaker and their beloved seeking solace in each other's presence, away from the world's "harsh horror." The sensual imagery of kisses and wine, the shedding of garments, and the sharing of physical love are vividly portrayed. Aldington uses rich, sensuous language to describe the lovers' union, emphasizing the intensity and immediacy of their passion.

The speaker's plea to "Hold me to you as I hold you and kiss me, / Whisper to me the sudden words of yearning" further conveys the depth of their desire and the longing to preserve this moment of connection against the inevitable parting. The poem captures the wish for love to last forever, a common human yearning, especially poignant in times of war.

In the final stanzas, the speaker expresses a willingness to face death itself, provided they can have this moment of profound connection: "Take me thus and I care not if death come after, / For to-night there shall be no tears, no wearing sorrow, / Only our kisses and whispers and stabbing heart-beats." The focus on the present moment, on the physical and emotional union of the lovers, underscores the poem's theme of love as a refuge and source of strength in the face of life's impermanence and uncertainties.

In conclusion, "Before Parting" is a powerful and evocative poem that captures the intensity of love and desire in the shadow of war. Aldington's use of vivid, emotive language and imagery conveys the depth of the speaker's feelings and the urgency of their situation. The poem reflects the human capacity to find beauty, connection, and meaning even in the darkest of times, making it a poignant and resonant piece.

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