Poem Analysis - To See Him Again

A Lament for a Lost Love

Gabriela Mistral's "To See Him Again" is a powerful lament, steeped in grief and longing for a lost lover. The poem begins with a despairing question, immediately establishing a tone of hopelessness. The mood shifts subtly as the speaker contemplates reunion, even under horrific circumstances, before culminating in a disturbing image of entwined anguish and death. The poem's raw emotion and vivid imagery paint a portrait of obsessive love and inconsolable loss.

The Enduring Power of Love and Grief

One of the poem's central themes is the enduring power of love, even in the face of death. The speaker is willing to endure anything, "in little patches of sky or in the seething vortex," just to be reunited with her beloved. This underscores the intensity of her love, a force so strong it transcends earthly boundaries and even the fear of hellish environments. The poem also explores the theme of grief and despair. The repetition of "never" at the beginning emphasizes the speaker's utter hopelessness and the permanence of her loss. The vivid descriptions of desolate landscapes and terrifying scenarios further amplify this sense of grief. A third theme is that of sacrifice. The speaker contemplates reunion in "afternoons of immolation" revealing a willingness to surrender all for even a glimpse of her lost love.

Nature's Reflection of Inner Turmoil

Mistral employs nature as a powerful symbol to reflect the speaker's inner turmoil. The "trembling of stars," the "virginal dawns," and the "tremulous fountain" initially suggest beauty and purity. However, these images are contrasted with more ominous ones: the "entangled tresses of the forest," the "cavern that returns my echoing outcry," and the "blood-stained neck." This juxtaposition suggests that even in moments of natural beauty, the speaker's grief taints her perception, warping the world around her. The "seething vortex" and "livid horror" represent the speaker's internal chaos and the disturbing nature of her desire, while the "pale pathway" may symbolize the uncertain and painful journey she faces without her loved one.

An Ambiguous Climax

The poem's concluding image of being "entwined in one anguished knot / around his blood-stained neck!" is particularly striking and open to interpretation. It can be seen as a representation of the speaker's desire to be eternally bound to her lover, even in death, suggesting a powerful and perhaps unhealthy obsession. The "anguished knot" and "blood-stained neck" also suggest a violent end, raising questions about the circumstances of the lover's death and the potential guilt or complicity felt by the speaker. Could this image represent a destructive, co-dependent relationship that ultimately led to tragedy?

Eternal Bondage in Loss

In conclusion, "To See Him Again" is a deeply moving exploration of love, loss, and grief. Through vivid imagery and a raw, emotional tone, Mistral crafts a portrait of a speaker consumed by her desire to be reunited with her deceased lover, even if it means enduring eternal suffering. The poem's ambiguous ending leaves the reader pondering the nature of the relationship and the speaker's state of mind, highlighting the enduring power of love to both uplift and destroy.