Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Second Book of Odes: 7." by Basil Bunting opens with a quotation from Latin poetry, "Ille mi par esse deo videtur," which translates to "He seems to me to be like a god," a sentiment reflecting the awe and reverence one might feel in the presence of a beloved. This sets the tone for a poem deeply immersed in the emotional turbulence of adoration, capturing the transformative and overwhelming experience of being in the presence of someone who captivates one's entire being.

Bunting masterfully conveys the intensity of the speaker's feelings with the declaration, "O, it is godlike to sit selfpossessed / when her chin rises and she turns to smile." This line encapsulates the paradox of aspiring to a godlike composure in the face of overwhelming emotion. The imagery of the beloved's simple gesture—raising her chin and smiling—becomes a pivotal moment that upends the speaker's sense of control and self-possession.

The physical reactions described by the speaker, "but my tongue thickens, my ears ring, / what I see is hazy," illustrate the disorienting effect of the beloved's presence. These symptoms of nervous affection underscore the visceral impact of intense attraction, where the body responds before the mind can process the experience.

As the poem progresses, the speaker describes a sense of dissolution in the beloved's presence: "I tremble. Walls sink in night, voices / unmeaning as wind." The surroundings become indistinct, and all that remains is the beloved, who is described in terms of pure sensation—a "clear note, dazzle of light." This imagery suggests that the beloved's presence has the power to obliterate reality, leaving only the essence of the experience.

The speaker's sense of self becomes increasingly diminished, likening their state to that of "a ghost, powerless," caught in a struggle for survival ("treading water, drowning"). This metaphor captures the speaker's feeling of being overwhelmed and consumed by their emotions, with the beloved as both the cause of their turmoil and their only salvation.

The poem concludes with a return to the opening sentiment, but now with a deeper understanding of the dichotomy it presents. The speaker acknowledges the godlike ideal of self-possession in the face of love but recognizes the impossibility of achieving it. Instead, the speaker finds transcendence in surrender, allowing themselves to be "rafted on light or music" and ultimately dissolved in the radiance of the beloved's smile.

Through "Second Book of Odes: 7.," Basil Bunting explores the profound impact of love and attraction, portraying the beloved as a force that both destroys and exalts the self. The poem captures the sublime terror and beauty of being consumed by love, ultimately suggesting that true transcendence lies not in maintaining control but in embracing the transformative power of surrender.

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