Poem Analysis - Ortus

Initial Impression and Tone

Ezra Pound's "Ortus" presents a deeply introspective and somewhat urgent tone, reflecting a speaker's struggle to define and separate an abstract entity, possibly a lover or an ideal. The poem oscillates between moments of intense longing and frustration, and moments of tender pleading. The speaker's labor to "bring her soul to birth" suggests a creative or spiritual endeavor, imbued with a sense of both struggle and reverence.

Themes of Creation and Separation

The central theme of "Ortus" revolves around the act of creation and the struggle for separation and individuality. The speaker repeatedly asks, "How have I laboured?" to bring forth a soul, suggesting a process of artistic or spiritual creation. The use of the word "laboured" emphasizes the effort and toil involved in this process. The speaker's desire to "give her a name and her being" underscores the theme of separation, implying that the entity in question is currently undefined and merged with the elements. This theme is further emphasized in the lines, "Surely you are bound and entwined, You are mingled with the elements unborn," which suggest a state of primordial chaos or potentiality.

Themes of Identity and Existence

The poem also explores the theme of identity and existence. The speaker's plea, "I beseech you enter your life. I beseech you learn to say ‘I’" highlights the struggle for self-awareness and individuality. The repetition of the word "I" in these lines underscores the speaker's desire for the entity to assert its own identity. The lines, "For you are no part, but a whole, No portion, but a being," further emphasize this theme, suggesting that the entity is not just a fragment or aspect of something larger, but a complete and distinct being.

Imagery of Nature and Fluidity

The poem employs vivid imagery of nature and fluidity to convey its themes. The entity is described as "beautiful as the sunlight, and as fluid," suggesting a sense of warmth, brightness, and constant motion. The use of the word "fluid" also implies a lack of fixed form or definition, reinforcing the theme of separation and individuality. The speaker's confession, "I have loved a stream and a shadow," further emphasizes this imagery, suggesting a love for things that are ever-changing and hard to grasp. This imagery contributes to the overall message of the poem by highlighting the struggle to define and separate something that is inherently fluid and undefined.

Conclusion

"Ortus" by Ezra Pound is a poem that delves into the complexities of creation, separation, and identity. Through its introspective tone and vivid imagery, the poem explores the struggle to bring forth and define an abstract entity. The speaker's labor and pleading highlight the effort and longing involved in this process, while the imagery of nature and fluidity underscores the challenges of defining something that is inherently undefined. Ultimately, the poem offers a profound meditation on the act of creation and the struggle for individuality, inviting readers to reflect on their own processes of self-discovery and definition.