Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Carolyn Kizer’s poem "Hiding Our Love" is a touching and intimate exploration of a love that must be kept secret. Through evocative imagery and emotional candor, Kizer delves into the pain and longing that accompany a love constrained by necessity and fear.

The poem begins with a heartfelt declaration: "Never believe I leave you / From any desire to go." This line sets the tone for the entire poem, emphasizing that the separation between the lovers is not a matter of choice but of compulsion. The speaker assures their beloved of the unwavering strength of their affection, despite the physical distance that separates them.

Kizer continues to express the emotional weight of this separation: "Never believe I live so far away / Except from necessity." Here, the word "necessity" underscores the inevitability of their circumstances, suggesting external forces beyond their control that keep them apart. This separation is depicted not as a voluntary act, but as an unfortunate reality that both lovers must endure.

The intensity of the speaker's feelings is further conveyed through the vivid sensory imagery: "Still your dark: fragrance clings to my skin." The lingering scent of the beloved serves as a tangible reminder of their presence, a form of connection that persists even in absence. This olfactory memory symbolizes the deep and enduring bond between the lovers, one that transcends physical separation.

The speaker's devotion is highlighted by the line, "I carry your letter everywhere." The letter, a tangible token of their love, becomes a constant companion, offering solace and a sense of closeness. This image conveys the importance of small gestures and mementos in maintaining the connection between the lovers.

The poem's imagery of binding and connection is poignantly captured in the line, "The sash of my dress wraps twice around my waist. / I wish it bound the two of us together." The sash, a symbol of physical restraint, becomes a metaphor for the speaker's longing to be physically and emotionally intertwined with their beloved. This desire for unity contrasts sharply with the reality of their enforced separation.

Kizer addresses the reason for their concealment: "Do you know that we both conceal our love / Because of prior sorrow, superstitious fear?" This line reveals the underlying causes of their secrecy—past traumas and a fear rooted in superstition. The reference to "prior sorrow" suggests that previous experiences of loss or heartbreak have led to a cautious approach to love, while "superstitious fear" implies an irrational but powerful anxiety about the consequences of openly expressing their feelings.

The poem concludes with a reflection on the nature of their hidden love: "We are two citizens of a savage era / Schooled in disguises and in self-command, / Hiding our aromatic, vulnerable love." This final stanza encapsulates the theme of the poem, portraying the lovers as inhabitants of a harsh world where concealment and restraint are necessary for survival. The phrase "schooled in disguises and in self-command" highlights the effort and discipline required to maintain their secrecy, while the description of their love as "aromatic, vulnerable" underscores its beauty and fragility.

"Hiding Our Love" is a poignant meditation on the complexities of love constrained by external forces and internal fears. Through evocative imagery and emotional depth, Kizer captures the longing, devotion, and resilience of a love that must remain hidden. The poem invites readers to reflect on their own experiences of concealed emotions and the delicate balance between love and fear in a world that often demands restraint.