Poem Analysis - Apprehension

An Intangible Ideal

Desanka Maksimović’s “Apprehension” is a poignant exploration of the allure of the unattainable. The poem conveys a sense of longing and a paradoxical desire to maintain distance from the object of affection. Its tone is yearning and almost fearful, reflecting the speaker's belief that closeness will diminish the beauty and purity of their feelings. This isn’t a lament so much as a carefully considered choice to cherish anticipation over fulfillment.

The Sweetness of Anticipation: A Core Theme

One of the primary themes is the idealization of distance. The speaker explicitly states, "happiness is beautiful just while waiting for," emphasizing that the joy lies in the anticipation rather than the attainment of love. The poem suggests that the imagined perfection of the beloved surpasses any reality that could be experienced through actual intimacy. The poem's structure, with its repeated refusal ("No… don’t come to me!"), reinforces this persistent desire to maintain separation.

Fear of Diminishment: Preserving Purity

Another significant theme revolves around the fear of disappointment and the loss of purity. The lines "Just while seeking out everything is pure; / It’s nicer when just forboding is near" highlight the belief that closeness might corrupt the idealized image of the beloved. The speaker seems to believe that the act of "seeking out" and the feeling of "forboding" hold a unique kind of beauty that would be lost if the distance were closed. The poem posits that true beauty resides in the realm of imagination, not in tangible reality. This fear is tightly interwoven with the speaker's desire to keep the relationship in a state of potential rather than actualized connection.

Stars and Eyes: Symbols of Unattainable Beauty

The poem employs recurring imagery of stars and eyes to symbolize the beauty of the unattainable. The line "Only from afar all stars spark and glee; / Only from afar we admire all" draws a direct comparison between the distant stars and the beloved’s eyes. Both possess a captivating allure precisely because they are out of reach. The stars, representing the vastness and mystery of the universe, mirror the perceived unknowability and perfection of the object of affection. By keeping the eyes "afar," the speaker hopes to preserve their "spark" and "glee," suggesting a fear that closeness will reveal imperfections and diminish their idealized beauty.

A Calculated Choice: Embracing the Imagined

In conclusion, “Apprehension” is a powerful exploration of the human tendency to romanticize the unattainable. The speaker's choice to maintain distance is not driven by fear of rejection, but by a deeper conviction that true beauty and happiness reside in the realm of anticipation and imagination. The poem suggests a conscious decision to embrace the idealized vision of love, even if it means sacrificing the potential for genuine connection. The value of this approach and its ultimate consequences are left open for interpretation, making the poem a thought-provoking meditation on the complexities of desire and the nature of beauty.