Monday, February 2, 2009

A Love Song - William Carlos Williams

What have I to say to you
When we shall meet?
Yet—
I lie here thinking of you.

The stain of love
Is upon the world.
Yellow, yellow, yellow,
It eats into the leaves,
Smears with saffron
The horned branches that lean
Heavily
Against a smooth purple sky.

There is no light—
Only a honey-thick stain
That drips from leaf to leaf
And limb to limb
Spoiling the colours
Of the whole world.

I am alone.
The weight of love
Has buoyed me up
Till my head
Knocks against the sky.

See me!
My hair is dripping with nectar—
Starlings carry it
On their black wings.
See, at last
My arms and my hands
Are lying idle.

How can I tell
If I shall ever love you again
As I do now?

2 comments:

  1. hey i was wondering if i can get your opinion on the meaning of this poem

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  2. In my opinion - which is a really humble one - this speaker here is saying that love is not the all-redeeming force that some make it out to be. It weighs upon him and keeps him from what he should be doing. But at the same time, it's something he would never give up because he cherishes the connection it creates to the one he loves.

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