Poem Analysis - Song

Introduction: Embracing the Unknown

Jacques Prévert's "Song" is a deceptively simple poem that explores the profound mysteries of love and life. It begins with a seemingly straightforward question, "What day are we?", but quickly veers into a realm of existential questioning. The poem's tone is initially conversational and intimate, shifting towards a state of wonder and a gentle acknowledgment of the unknown. There's a lack of urgency, a comfortable acceptance that some things simply cannot be defined.

Love and Life: A Cyclical Dance

One of the central themes of the poem is the intertwined nature of love and life. The lines "We love each other and we live / we live and we love each other" establish a cyclical relationship where one feeds the other. The repetition emphasizes the continuous exchange between these two fundamental aspects of human experience. It suggests that living is loving and loving is living, with neither taking precedence. This reflects a holistic view, indicating that love isn't separate from life, but integral to it.

The Acceptance of Uncertainty: A Core Theme

The poem grapples with the inherent uncertainty of existence. The repeated phrase "we don’t know" underscores a sense of humility in the face of life's big questions. The inability to define "what life is," "what days are," and "what love is" doesn't lead to despair, but rather to an acceptance of the unknown. This theme suggests a freedom from the need to label or categorize, embracing the experience as it unfolds, in all its ambiguity. It's this embracing of mystery that resonates most strongly.

The Everyday as Extraordinary: Undefined Days

The poem's opening question, "What day are we?" becomes a symbol for the relentless march of time and the human desire to mark and measure existence. However, the answer – "We are every day" – suggests that the distinction between individual days is ultimately artificial. It implies that life is a continuous flow, and each day is simply a part of the larger experience. This highlights the extraordinary within the ordinary, recognizing that every day, regardless of its label, holds the potential for love and life.

Conclusion: A Song of Simplicity and Profoundity

"Song" is a testament to Prévert's ability to capture complex emotions with simple language. The poem invites us to embrace the mysteries of life and love, acknowledging that some things are beyond definition. Its beauty lies in its acceptance of the unknown, finding comfort and connection in the shared human experience of living and loving, day after day. The poem ultimately suggests that perhaps the most important thing is not to understand, but to simply be present and appreciate the moment.