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"Swept" by Hayden Carruth encapsulates the profound sense of loss and longing that accompanies missing someone deeply. This short but impactful poem delves into the emotional turmoil that can pervade the simplest of daily routines, such as going to bed, when someone we love is absent.

The poem opens with the commonplace expression "I miss you," immediately suggesting a universal experience of yearning for someone who is not present. However, Carruth quickly moves beyond this superficial understanding to explore the deeper, more visceral feelings that this phrase attempts to convey.

The comparison of going to bed alone to "lying down in a wave" is a powerful metaphor that captures the overwhelming sense of being engulfed by darkness and sorrow. The wave symbolizes the all-consuming nature of the speaker's emotions, suggesting a loss of control and a vulnerability to the forces of absence and longing.

The "total absence of light" not only describes the physical environment of going to bed in the dark but also mirrors the emotional darkness that the speaker is experiencing. It is a metaphor for the despair and emptiness that can accompany separation from a loved one.

The use of the word "swept" in the final line encapsulates the poem's central theme of being overpowered by emotional turmoil. It evokes images of being carried away by a strong current, unable to resist or find stability. This final image leaves the reader with a sense of the speaker's profound vulnerability and the intensity of their longing.

Through "Swept," Carruth conveys the deep emotional impact of missing someone, transforming a common expression into a vivid depiction of love, loss, and the struggle to cope with absence. The poem's brevity and simple language belie its emotional depth, making it a poignant meditation on the human experience of longing and the fear of being overwhelmed by it.


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