Poem Analysis - Speech For Psyche In The Golden Book Of Apuleius

Initial Impression and Tone

Ezra Pound's "Speech For Psyche In The Golden Book Of Apuleius" is a lyrical exploration of a profound, almost ethereal experience of love. The poem's tone is dreamlike and introspective, with a sense of wonder and reverence. The mood shifts subtly from a serene, almost mystical description of a lover's presence to a more passionate and intense declaration of his impact. The language is rich with sensory details, creating a vivid and immersive atmosphere.

Themes of Love and Connection

The primary theme of the poem is love, depicted as a transcendent and almost otherworldly experience. The speaker describes her lover's presence as light and ephemeral, comparing it to air and falling petals. This imagery suggests a love that is delicate and gentle, yet deeply transformative. The phrase "music flowing through me seemed to open mine eyes upon new colours" indicates that this love has a profound effect on the speaker's perception of the world, enhancing her senses and expanding her consciousness. The use of the word "new" emphasizes the transformative power of this love, suggesting that it brings a fresh perspective and a deeper understanding of life.

Nature and the Supernatural

The poem also explores the theme of the supernatural or divine in love. The lover is described in terms that suggest he is more than human, with a presence that is as weightless as air and as gentle as falling petals. The speaker's use of the phrase "O winds, what wind can match the weight of him" further emphasizes this idea, suggesting that her lover is a force of nature, powerful and unyielding. This theme is reinforced by the setting of the poem, which takes place at night among cypress trees, a setting that is often associated with the supernatural in literature. The cypress trees, with their association with death and the afterlife, add a layer of mystery and otherworldliness to the poem.

Symbolism of Wind and Petals

The poem is rich in symbolism, with the wind and petals serving as powerful metaphors for the lover's presence. The wind is a recurring symbol in the poem, representing the lover's gentle yet pervasive influence. The phrase "as the wind lieth among the cypress trees" suggests a quiet, almost imperceptible presence, while the line "O winds, what wind can match the weight of him" indicates a force that is both powerful and unyielding. The petals, on the other hand, symbolize the delicate and ephemeral nature of the lover's touch. The phrase "as the petals of flowers in falling waver and seem not drawn to earth" suggests a gentle, almost weightless presence, while the line "he seemed over me to hover light as leaves" reinforces this idea, comparing the lover's presence to the light, ephemeral touch of falling leaves.

Conclusion and Significance

In conclusion, "Speech For Psyche In The Golden Book Of Apuleius" is a deeply evocative exploration of love as a transformative and almost supernatural experience. Through its rich imagery and symbolism, the poem conveys a sense of wonder and reverence for the power of love to change our perception of the world. The use of natural imagery and the setting of the poem among cypress trees add a layer of mystery and otherworldliness, suggesting that this love is a force that transcends the ordinary. The poem's final lines, with their passionate declaration of the lover's impact, serve as a powerful testament to the transformative power of love, leaving the reader with a sense of the profound and enduring nature of this experience.