Poem Analysis - To Be In Love

A Delicate Dance of Love and Loss

Gwendolyn Brooks's "To Be In Love" captures the exhilarating yet agonizing experience of falling in love, specifically focusing on the internal struggle and the vulnerability it entails. The poem unfolds as a delicate exploration of the push and pull between the desire for connection and the fear of its potential destruction. The tone begins with a sense of wonder and discovery, but gradually darkens as the speaker confronts the precarious nature of love and the threat of its loss. A central mood is one of quiet desperation masked by the initial beauty of connection.

The Weight of Unspoken Words: The Theme of Conflicted Desire

One of the poem's central themes is the conflicted desire inherent in love. The speaker craves connection, as seen in the lines "You remember and covet his mouth / To touch, to whisper on." However, this desire is tempered by a profound fear of vulnerability. The poem suggests that revealing the full extent of one's feelings ("What must not be said") could lead to the downfall of the idealized image of love. This conflict is most potent towards the end of the poem with the lines "Oh when to declare / Is certain Death! / Oh when to apprize / Is to mesmerize." This implies that the speaker believes that expressing love too intensely risks destroying the very essence of the relationship, reducing it to "the commonest ash."

Freedom's Ghastly Face: The Threat of Separation

The theme of potential loss and the illusion of freedom is explored through stark imagery and a shift in tone. The lines "When he / Shuts a door- / Is not there_ / Your arms are water. / And you are free / With a ghastly freedom" depict the speaker's reaction to the other's absence. The image of "arms are water" suggests a sense of helplessness and lack of control. The phrase "ghastly freedom" is particularly striking, highlighting the paradox of being free from the constraints of love, yet feeling utterly desolate and unfulfilled. This freedom is not empowering but rather a painful reminder of what has been or what could be lost.

The Golden Hurt: Love's Duality

The poem uses vivid imagery, most notably the "golden hurt," to symbolize the dual nature of love. This metaphor encapsulates the idea that love, while beautiful and precious ("golden"), is also inherently painful ("hurt"). The speaker acknowledges that she is only "the beautiful half" of this "golden hurt," implying that love is incomplete without the other person, but also that it carries the potential for profound suffering. The image of the "Column of Gold" further enhances this symbolism. It represents an idealized vision of love, one that is grand and impressive, but ultimately fragile and susceptible to crumbling into something ordinary.

A Precarious Balance

In conclusion, "To Be In Love" is a poignant exploration of the joys and anxieties associated with romantic love. The poem delves into the internal struggle between the desire for intimacy and the fear of vulnerability, highlighting the delicate balance required to maintain a loving relationship. Through vivid imagery and a shifting tone, Brooks captures the bittersweet nature of love, emphasizing its capacity to both elevate and devastate. The poem is a reminder of the risks inherent in opening oneself up to another person and the potential for both profound connection and agonizing loss.