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Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained | |||
James J. McAuley's "Coming & Going" is a tender and contemplative poem that captures the intimate moments following love, weaving together themes of contentment, transcendence, and the interplay between physicality and spirituality. Through rich imagery and serene language, McAuley explores the deep connection between lovers and the transcendent experience that follows their union. The poem opens with an inviting scene: "Look, how we curl into sleep after love: / Our bodies are so content, they convey / No more sense than a pair of gourds / In a Cézanne Nature mort, or a tableau / Of Beckett." This imagery likens the lovers' bodies to still life objects in art, evoking a sense of peace and immobility. The comparison to Cézanne's "Nature mort" and Beckett's tableau captures the quiet and profound stillness of the moment, emphasizing the satisfaction and completeness felt by the lovers. The reference to "gourds" suggests a natural simplicity and organic beauty in their state of rest. The line "when a brushstroke or a sigh / Allows for shapes that may not have been there" introduces the idea of subtlety and the almost imperceptible changes that love and intimacy bring about. The brushstroke and sigh symbolize the gentle and transformative power of love, creating new forms and experiences that were previously unseen or unfelt. McAuley then shifts from the physical to the metaphysical, stating, "In this way, our spirits have climbed out / To stroll the Cerulean, where Time and space are one." Here, the lovers' spirits transcend their physical bodies, venturing into a realm where the boundaries of time and space dissolve. The use of "Cerulean," a shade of blue often associated with the sky or the sea, evokes a sense of infinite expanse and serenity. This ethereal journey highlights the unity and boundless nature of their connection. The poet further explores this transcendence by describing how "form / Is a mere memory, our souls / Dance, those sleeping husks so far / Removed that being without matter makes / Clear sense." In this state, the lovers' physical forms become irrelevant, mere "sleeping husks," as their souls engage in a dance that transcends material existence. This dance symbolizes the pure, unencumbered joy and freedom of their spirits, emphasizing the profound and otherworldly nature of their union. As the poem transitions back to the physical world, "Now light attends / The window, to give flesh its due," the arrival of dawn brings the lovers back to their bodily selves. The interplay of light and shadow signifies the return to the tangible and the recognition of their physical presence. The description "Thigh at hip and head on breast, we wake" captures the intimacy and closeness of their embrace, a gentle awakening to a new day. The final lines, "And when that dance plays out, we'll take / Our ease in heaven, just like this," suggest a continuity of their love beyond the physical realm. The ease and contentment they find in each other will, in the poet's view, carry on into eternity. This vision of heaven is one of intimate togetherness and serene bliss, mirroring the peace and fulfillment they experience in their earthly moments of love. "Coming & Going" is a beautifully crafted reflection on the deep connection between lovers and the transcendence that love brings. Through evocative imagery and a seamless blend of the physical and spiritual, McAuley captures the essence of intimate moments and the timeless nature of true love. The poem invites readers to consider the profound impact of love on both the body and the soul, celebrating the union of two spirits that transcend the limitations of the material world.
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