Poem Analysis - Between Going And Staying

Introduction: A Moment of Liminality

Octavio Paz's "between going and staying" captures a fleeting, contemplative moment suspended between action and inaction. The poem evokes a sense of profound stillness and introspection, as the speaker grapples with the elusive nature of reality and self. Initially, the tone is peaceful and observational, but it shifts towards a more unsettling awareness of impermanence and the speaker's own paradoxical existence. The poem ultimately embodies a feeling of being caught in the flux of time and identity.

Themes of Ephemerality and Being

One of the main themes of the poem is the ephemeral nature of existence. The opening lines, "Between going and staying / the day wavers," immediately establish this sense of transience. The wavering day, "in love with its own transparency," suggests that beauty and reality are fleeting and difficult to grasp. This is further emphasized by the lines "All is visible and all elusive, / all is near and can’t be touched," which capture the paradox of perceiving the world without truly being able to hold onto it. The scattering moment, described later in the poem, reinforces this idea of impermanence.

Another significant theme is the exploration of self and identity. The speaker's self-reflection, particularly in the line "I find myself in the middle of an eye, / watching myself in its blank stare," reveals a profound sense of alienation and self-awareness. The "blank stare" suggests a detachment from the self, as if the speaker is observing their own existence from a distance. This detachment leads to a sense of being a "pause," neither fully present nor absent, but existing in a state of liminality.

Finally, the poem engages with the theme of the relationship between language and reality. The lines "Paper, book, pencil, glass, / rest in the shade of their names" suggest that objects are defined and confined by language. The "shade of their names" implies that language, while useful for identification, also obscures the true essence of things. It creates a barrier, preventing a deeper connection with the world around us.

Symbolism and Imagery

The image of the "circular afternoon" as a "bay / where the world in stillness rocks" is a powerful symbol of the poem's central theme. The circular shape suggests continuity and repetition, while the "stillness" and "rocking" motion evoke a sense of equilibrium and contemplation. The bay, a sheltered body of water, provides a safe haven for reflection, but also hints at a certain isolation.

The "ghostly theatre of reflections," created by the light on the "indifferent wall," serves as a metaphor for the human mind. The wall's indifference suggests the external world is passive, while the reflections represent the internal thoughts and perceptions that shape our reality. This image highlights the subjective nature of experience and the way our minds create narratives from the external world.

The "eye" in which the speaker finds themselves is a compelling symbol of self-awareness and observation. The act of watching oneself in its "blank stare" suggests a detached and critical perspective on the self. Could the "blank stare" be the lack of self-recognition or an invitation for the reader to look at oneself with the same scrutiny?

Concluding Thoughts: The Significance of the Pause

In conclusion, "between going and staying" is a poignant exploration of the transient nature of reality, the complexities of self-identity, and the limitations of language. Through vivid imagery and contemplative tone, Paz captures a moment of profound introspection, highlighting the paradoxical nature of existence. The poem's final declaration, "I am a pause," is not a statement of despair, but rather an acceptance of the present moment, a recognition that life exists in the spaces between action and inaction, movement and stillness. It suggests that meaning can be found in embracing the "pause," in the quiet contemplation of being.