Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Jane Hirshfield's poem "Desire" serves as an insightful examination of longing, change, and the complexities that accompany relationships over time. The poem delves into the psychology of desire, framing it as both an enduring and evolving force that shapes human interactions and emotions.

The opening stanza introduces the concept of desire as something "carried like something unnoticed," likened to "lint in a pocket" or a "manzanita seed waiting a fire." These similes evoke the idea that desire can be dormant but ever-present, unobtrusive yet potent, waiting for the right conditions to ignite. Here, the manzanita seed represents dormant potential-quietly waiting for a catalyst to spark its inevitable transformation. This is not just a desire; it is a desire with history and constancy.

The middle of the poem introduces change with the line "you come to me / changed, an old photograph / blurred with motion." These lines imply that both the speaker and the object of their desire have undergone transformations, which adds layers of complexity to their relationship. The blurred photograph metaphor is poignant, indicating how people change but remain recognizably themselves, just as an old photograph preserves the essence of a moment even if the details have blurred over time.

The poem also employs the motif of draining to signify the gradual reduction or exhaustion of various elements-light, conversation, wine, and ultimately, the decision. This draining away corresponds with the sediment of desire "dark at the bottom between us," which remains constant despite the fluctuating dynamics. The word "sediment" evokes a sense of something elemental, raw, and untouched by the erosion of time or circumstance. This is desire in its most essential form, unchanging even as everything around it transforms.

Towards the end, the poem becomes almost paradoxical. The speaker is left "buoyant, empty," a juxtaposition that suggests that the draining away of all other elements, even decision-making, leaves a kind of freedom or lightness. This emptiness allows the speaker to "float towards your hand," indicating a surrender to this elemental desire that is both liberating and grounding.

In terms of style, Hirshfield's language is simple yet imbued with layers of meaning, reflecting the complexity of the emotional states she describes. The structure of the poem, devoid of a rigid rhyme scheme or meter, complements its thematic focus on change, fluidity, and the complexities of emotion.

In summary, "Desire" is a masterful exploration of the nature and evolution of longing within the human experience. It captures the constant yet ever-changing facets of desire, reminding us that some elements of our emotional lives are as enduring as they are elusive. Even as life changes around us-even as we ourselves change-there remain fundamental aspects of our humanity that continue to define and connect us.

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