bound hand
cannot touch
bound foot
cannot step
bound eye
cannot see
away others
decide fate
bound heart
must wait
slender beam
may tilt
courage fail
hope wilt
promise made
faith-brave
gentle word
may yet save
unbind the hand
that cannot touch
unbind the eye
that cannot see
unbind the foot
that cannot step
unbind the heart
that waits on thee
I don't know why, but this poem brings to mind this one:
ReplyDelete“The Jeweled Stairs’ Grievance”
The jeweled steps are already quite white with dew,
It is so late the dew soaks my gauze stockings,
And I let down the crystal curtain
And watch the moon through the clear autumn.
Ezra Pound translated from Chinese poet Li Po
I took a poetry unit in literature in college (of course) and had to interpret the poem. I loved it. It was the first time I realized the power of poetry. Beautiful.
Some day I'll share my poetry interpretations with you. I did many sonnets, this poem, many of Yeats' poems as well as the usual Chaucer, Joyce, etc.
I'd be delighted if you would! The Imagistes seem so akin to the "feel" of Chinese/Japanese poetry; something about the linguistics. Love the sonnets, always! (#30 is a particular favorite.)
Delete(Don't be too disappointed that I had no required Chaucer. I did pick him up later, but cursorily.)
K:)XO
I love Chaucer. My life wouldn't be complete without the Canterbury Tales.
DeleteHere's my take on "The Jeweled Stairs' Grievance"
The feel of the poem is one of sadness and dread. The speaker walks upon steps in a grand mansion or even a palace, fit for royalty. She aims to voice a grievance about something or someone. She wears gauze white stockings, so is finely dressed for the occasion. The dew on the outside steps indicate that it is very early in the morning hours. The sun has not risen and she gazes at the moon in the clear autumn sky. The crystal curtain represents her final opportunity to turn around and keep silent, but she lets it down.
Thoughts on Translator's (Pound's) Notes:
"He" in the poem is the person to whom she is voicing her grievance. She is forced to give her body to him. She is beautiful and refined. He is powerful and holds something over her or over someone she loves. She is tired of it and is now going to stand up for herself.
She is outside on the jeweled steps. The crystal curtain is the last barrier before there is no turning back. The moon symbolizes escape from her situation because it is far away in the heavens. It also signifies that the sun has yet to rise.
Wow, Profa—thank you! This is a poem I've not read before today. I am fond of "The River Merchant's Wife," probably because it is less equivocal than most poetry. Why do you suppose there is a possessive on "Stairs'"? She sounds "all dressed-up with nowhere to go." Court lady, hmm, some risk involved in an early-morning assignation—stand me up and I'd be aggrieved, too!
DeleteI hadn't read it before that class either. It's beautiful and moved me in much the same way that your piece, "plank", moved me. It evokes fear, dread, danger, and -- finally -- courage. I love it!
Delete