Love

Summary

Eavan Boland's poem "Love" explores the depth and complexity of love, particularly within the context of a long-term relationship. The poem reflects on the changing nature of love and how it evolves, moving from the passionate intensity of early love to a more profound and nuanced understanding.

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Introduction to Love and Its Evolution

Boland begins by setting a scene in a mid-western town, establishing a sense of place that grounds her exploration of love.

"Dark falls on this mid-western town / where we once lived when myths collided." (lines 1-2)

This introduces the reader to the setting and the idea of myth, which is a recurring theme in the poem.

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Nostalgic Reflections

The speaker reminisces, reflecting on earlier stages of love and how it has transformed over time.

"We had a kitchen and an Amish table. / We had a view." (lines 5-6)

This evokes a sense of nostalgia for earlier, simpler times in the relationship.

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Transformation of Love

The poem delves into how love matures and changes, becoming less about passion and more about companionship and understanding.

"And we discovered there love had the feather and muscle of wings and had come to live with us a brother of fire and air." (lines 8-10)

These lines symbolise the transformation of love from passionate fire to something more elemental and enduring.

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Personal and Universal Love

Boland weaves together personal experiences with universal themes, making the poem relatable to a wide audience.

"And yet I want to return to you / on the bridge of the Iowa river" (lines 21-22)

This personal desire reflects a universal longing for love.

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Key Images

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Imagery of the Town and Nature

The poem is rich in imagery of the mid-western town and the natural world, grounding the abstract concept of love in a tangible setting.

"Dark falls on this mid-western town" (line 1)

Immediately creates a vivid picture of the setting.

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Domestic Imagery

The use of domestic imagery, such as the kitchen and Amish table, symbolises the everyday aspects of love and relationships.

"We had a kitchen and an Amish table." (line 5)

This domestic image represents the comfort and stability found in long-term love.

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Mythological References

Boland uses mythological imagery to elevate the theme of love, giving it a timeless and universal quality.

"where we once lived when myths collided." (line 2)

The reference to myths adds depth to the concept of love explored in the poem.

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Bridge as a Symbol

The bridge symbolises connection and transition, representing the journey of the relationship and the passage of time.

"on the bridge of the Iowa river" (line 22)

This image captures the idea of crossing from one phase of love to another.

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Form and Structure

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Free Verse Form

"Love" is written in free verse, which allows Boland to explore the theme of love without the constraints of a traditional poetic form.

The lack of a fixed structure in free verse mirrors love's fluid and evolving nature.

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Enjambment and Flow

The poem's use of enjambment allows the thoughts and images to flow seamlessly, reflecting the continuous nature of love and memory.

"Dusk has hidden the bridge in the river which slides and deepens to become the water the hero crossed on his way to hell." (lines 3-5)

This use of enjambment creates a smooth transition between images.

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Imagery and Symbolism

Boland's rich imagery and symbolism enhance the poem's exploration of love's complexity.

"a brother of fire and air." (line 10)

The elements symbolise the different phases and facets of love.

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Contrast and Juxtaposition

The poem juxtaposes the past with the present, creating a contrast that highlights the changes and growth in the relationship.

"And yet I want to return to you / on the bridge of the Iowa river" (lines 21-22)

This juxtaposition emphasises the speaker's desire to reconnect with the past while acknowledging the present.

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Themes

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Transformation of Love

The poem explores how love transforms over time, moving from the fiery passion of early stages to a more profound, enduring connection.

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"But words are shadows and you cannot hear me. You walk away and I cannot follow."

This metaphor illustrates the evolving nature of love and how drifting apart or miscommunication may occur in marriages.

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Memory and Nostalgia

Boland delves into the theme of memory and nostalgia, reflecting on past experiences and how they shape our understanding of love.

"where we once lived when myths collided." (line 2)

The poet reminisces, evoking a sense of nostalgia.

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Myth and Reality

The poem blurs the lines between myth and reality, suggesting that our real experiences of love are intertwined with the stories and myths we tell.

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"and when the hero was hailed by his comrades in hell their mouths opened and their voices failed" (lines 13-15)

This illustrates how the speaker views their love through the lens of mythology.

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Style and Language Techniques

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Imagery

Boland employs rich imagery to convey the emotions and transformation associated with love.

"a brother of fire and air." (line 10)

This vivid imagery captures the essence and changing nature of love.

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Metaphor and Symbolism

Metaphors and symbols are used throughout the poem to deepen the exploration of love's complexities.

"love had the feather and muscle of wings" (line 7)

Symbolises love's ability to uplift and empower.

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Juxtaposition

The poem juxtaposes images of the past and present, highlighting the contrast between different stages of love and life.

"And yet I want to return to you / on the bridge of the Iowa river" (line 23-24)

juxtaposes a specific moment in time with a broader reflection on love.

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Mood and Atmosphere

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Reflective and Introspective

The poem's mood is reflective, marked by introspection and a deep exploration of past experiences and emotions.

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"Will we ever live so intensely again? Will love come to us again and be so formidable at rest it offered us ascension even to look at him?"

Sets a tone of reflection and contemplation.

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Nostalgic and Melancholic

There is a sense of nostalgia and melancholy as the speaker looks back on the past with both fondness and a sense of loss.

"We had a kitchen and an Amish table." (line 5)

Evokes nostalgia for simpler, earlier times in the relationship.

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Romantic and Wistful

The atmosphere is imbued with romance and a wistful longing for the intensity of earlier emotions.

"Will we ever live so intensely again?" (line 29)

This question creates a wistful tone, longing for the passion of the past.

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Ethereal and Mythical

The poem has an ethereal, almost mythical quality, weaving personal memories with broader cultural narratives.

"the image blazing and the edges gilded -" (line 24)

Adds a mythical, almost otherworldly dimension to the poem.

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"Love" by Eavan Boland is a richly textured poem that skilfully explores themes of the transformation of love, memory, mythology, and longing. Boland's use of vivid imagery, metaphor, and allusion, combined with her juxtaposition of past and present, creates a multilayered exploration of love and its evolving nature. The mood is reflective and introspective, tinged with nostalgia and a wistful longing for past emotions while maintaining an ethereal and mythical atmosphere.