Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Love Disposed Of" by Robert Traill Spence Lowell is a lyrical poem that employs vivid maritime imagery to explore themes of love, betrayal, and moving on. The poem’s structure consists of quatrains with a consistent ABAB rhyme scheme, contributing to its rhythmic and musical quality. The poet uses the metaphor of a ship and its voyage to symbolize the journey of love and the decision to cast it away.

The opening stanza sets the tone for the poem with a decisive action: "Here goes Love! Now cut him clear, / A weight about his neck: / If he linger longer here, / Our ship will be a wreck." The imperative "cut him clear" indicates a need to sever ties with love, which is depicted as a burden that threatens the stability of the ship, representing the poet’s life or emotional state. The repetition of "Overboard! Overboard!" emphasizes the urgency and finality of this action, while the imagery of love sinking "where the corals grow" suggests a deep, final resting place for this discarded emotion.

The second stanza introduces the idea of love's deceit: "He said he'd woo the gentle breeze, / A bright tear in her eye; / But she was false or hard to please, / Or he has told a lie." Here, the breeze symbolizes a promise or an expectation of gentle, reciprocated affection. The failure of this promise, whether due to the breeze's fickleness or Love's dishonesty, leads to love being cast away. The reference to mermaids, mythical creatures known for their enchanting but elusive nature, further underscores the search for a truer, more reliable affection in the depths of the sea.

In the third stanza, the poem reflects on the past joy brought by love: "He sang us many a merry song / While the breeze was kind; / But he has been lamenting long / The falseness of the wind." This highlights the transient nature of love's happiness, which has now turned to sorrow due to unfaithfulness. The call to cast love "Under the wave / Let him sing where smooth shells ring / In the ocean's cave" reinforces the idea of leaving behind what once brought joy but now only causes pain.

The final stanza captures the resolve to move forward: "He may struggle; he may weep; / We'll be stern and cold; / His grief will find, within the deep, / More tears than can be told." The poet acknowledges the difficulty and emotional struggle involved in letting go of love. However, the determination to be "stern and cold" signifies a necessary hardness to prevent further emotional wreckage. The closing lines, "We will float on; / We shall find a truer wind, / Now that he is gone," convey hope and the possibility of finding a more genuine and steady source of happiness once love has been cast away.

"Love Disposed Of" effectively uses the maritime setting to symbolize the emotional journey of dealing with love's betrayal and moving forward. The consistent rhyme scheme and rhythmic flow enhance the lyrical quality of the poem, making its themes of loss and resilience resonate deeply. Through its vivid imagery and metaphorical depth, the poem offers a powerful reflection on the complexities of love and the strength required to let go and seek new beginnings.

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