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MISERY AND SPLENDOR, by         Recitation by Author     Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography

"Misery and Splendor" by Robert Hass explores the complexities of intimacy and the yearning for unity between two lovers. The poem delves into the human desire for connection and the inevitable separation that follows, capturing the tension between physical closeness and emotional distance.

The poem begins with the couple in a moment of intimacy, summoned by memory: "Summoned by conscious recollection, she / would be smiling, they might be in a kitchen talking, / before or after dinner." This ordinary scene transitions into a more profound moment as they move to another room, characterized by a window with many small panes, suggesting fragmentation and multiplicity within their experience.

On the couch, they embrace tightly, attempting to merge into one being: "He holds her as tightly / as he can, she buries herself in his body." The light in the room remains constant, contrasting with the rapid passage of time outside, where "the day is slowly succeeded by night, / succeeded by day. The process wobbles wildly / and accelerates: weeks, months, years." This imagery emphasizes the timelessness of their intimate moment against the relentless march of time.

Despite their physical closeness, there is an underlying struggle: "They are trying to become one creature, / and something will not have it." This line captures the central tension of the poem—their desire for unity is thwarted by an external force or an inherent limitation within themselves. They are tender and cautious, "afraid / their brief, sharp cries will reconcile them to the moment / when they fall away again." Their intimacy is both a refuge and a reminder of their separateness.

The poem vividly describes their physical interaction: "So they rub against each other, / their mouths dry, then wet, then dry." This tactile imagery conveys the ebb and flow of their connection, underscoring the transient nature of their union. They feel "at the center of a powerful / and baffled will," suggesting a cosmic or existential force that both draws them together and keeps them apart.

In the final lines, Hass captures the poignancy of their situation: "They feel / they are an almost animal, / washed up on the shore of a world— / or huddled against the gate of a garden— / to which they can’t admit they can never be admitted." This metaphor of being stranded or barred from a garden evokes the myth of Eden and the loss of innocence, highlighting the unattainable ideal of perfect union. The lovers are left on the threshold, aware of their exclusion from complete harmony.

"Misery and Splendor" masterfully encapsulates the bittersweet nature of human intimacy. Hass portrays the deep yearning for connection and the inevitable realization of individual separateness. The poem's vivid imagery and emotional depth invite readers to reflect on their own experiences of love, unity, and the boundaries that define them.


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