Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

In Ezra Pound's poem "Preference," the complexities of love and desire are explored through the contrasting elements of the mythological and the mundane, the divine and the earthbound. The speaker comments on the beloved's shifting allegiances-first to gods and then, inexplicably, to an array of other unidentified women.

The beloved's initial preference for "the gods" over "fairies" suggests a longing for the profound over the whimsical. Yet, this seriousness is immediately undercut by the imagery of the beloved on a "high, white, noble horse," evoking fairy tales rather than the divine realm of gods. This incongruity between what the beloved says and what the speaker sees points to the fickle and unreliable nature of human desire. The beloved may profess a preference for the "gods," but the imagery suggests a different, more fantastical inclination-one more in line with fairy tales and romantic stories than with lofty, divine matters.

The poem also delves into the emotional and psychological tension arising from the beloved's chameleon-like transformations. The "long robes" and "trailing tendrils and flowers" indicate the beloved's propensity for change and mystery, making her an elusive and almost unattainable figure. Her ability to change her face and "resemble some other woman" adds to the sense of betrayal and emotional abandonment the speaker feels, as if the beloved is intentionally tormenting him by blending into a "cloud of beautiful women who do not concern me."

However, the speaker recognizes his role in this dynamic, hinted at by his self-reflective questioning: "And I, who follow every seed-leaf upon the wind?" This line suggests the speaker's own emotional fluidity and perhaps even fickleness. He chases after every opportunity or distraction ("seed-leaf upon the wind"), which may make him equally elusive in the eyes of the beloved. He accepts this flaw in himself when he says, "You will say that I deserve this," acknowledging that his suffering may be a just consequence of his own inconsistent affections.

In summary, "Preference" is a nuanced portrayal of the inconsistencies and contradictions that characterize human relationships. While the beloved's shifting identities and inclinations bring torment to the speaker, his own scattered attention raises questions about his suitability as a stable partner. Both are bound by the elusive, often contradictory nature of desire-wanting and yet not wanting, present but also absent, each contributing to a love that is as perplexing as it is compelling. In its brevity, the poem captures the perplexities of love, leaving the reader to ponder the complexities inherent in human relationships.

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