Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

In "To Drink" by Jane Hirshfield, the complexities of human desire and intimacy are explored through a rich tapestry of images and metaphors. Comprising only 19 lines, the poem is yet brimming with a sense of yearning and vulnerability that resonates deeply with the reader. Despite its brevity, the poem succeeds in conveying its themes with a stunningly measured emotional intensity.

One of the most striking features of "To Drink" is its vivid imagery. The narrator's desire to "gather your darkness / in my hands, to cup it like water / and drink" immediately thrusts us into a tactile world. Here, darkness is not something to be feared or shunned, but rather embraced, held, and absorbed. The act of cupping darkness and drinking it becomes a sacrament of sorts, a holy communion between the narrator and the object of their affection. It is a way of internalizing the other, of knowing them deeply, just as one knows the taste of water.

This notion of knowing through touch, and by extension, through consumption, is reinforced in the line "I want this in the same way / as I want to touch your cheek- / it is the same-". The act of touching a cheek is both intimate and revelatory; it is an act of comfort, of closeness, and of quiet understanding. Hirshfield draws a parallel between this simple gesture and the more complex one of embracing someone's "darkness," suggesting that both are essential forms of connection and understanding.

The poem then shifts to two evocative comparisons: the moth at the window and the horse at the water. Both of these images encapsulate forms of yearning and fulfillment. The moth, drawn to the window by an inexplicable pull, beats its wings against the "cold glass," representing perhaps a desire that is difficult to attain or even self-destructive. The horse, in contrast, is a creature of power and grace, lowering "its long head to water" to drink. It takes a pause to lift its head, look around, and then drink again, taking in "everything with the water, everything."

The horse here symbolizes a kind of mature, self-assured form of love or desire-one that knows to pause, to look, to take in its surroundings even as it quenches its thirst. It is a form of desire that is both passionate and mindful, capable of "taking everything in with the water, everything."

"To Drink" is a nuanced exploration of the multi-dimensional aspects of human desire, both in its impulsivity and its more measured, reflective forms. Hirshfield's mastery of imagery and metaphor creates a rich emotional landscape that invites the reader to explore their own complexities of feeling and yearning. In doing so, the poem becomes a mirror, reflecting not just the poet's desire but also our own, offering us a glimpse into the myriad ways we seek connection, understanding, and ultimately, a deep sense of intimacy.

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