Poem Analysis - Ocean Blue Jersey And The Eyes Dark Blue

Introduction: A Winter's Lament

Sergei Yesenin's "Ocean Blue Jersey And The Eyes Dark Blue" is a short, intimate poem that evokes a feeling of melancholy and longing. The poem centers around a conversation between the speaker and their "sweetheart," set against the backdrop of a winter blizzard. The tone is initially tender, shifting towards a sense of isolation and a plea for warmth and connection. The poem uses simple language and evocative imagery to express deep emotions.

Themes of Love and Longing in the Snowy Landscape

The poem primarily explores the theme of love, but it is intertwined with longing and a sense of isolation. The opening lines, "Ocean blue jersey and the eyes dark blue./ To my sweetheart, really, told I no truth," suggest a desire for closeness and honesty within the relationship. The sweetheart's questions about the blizzard and the need to "make the bed now and the fire to light" highlight a yearning for domestic comfort and warmth. The speaker's response, that "someone, from the hight,/ Is sheding the white flowers to enjoy the sight," although poetic, creates a distance, suggesting a preoccupation with something beyond their immediate connection. The final lines, "Yes, you light the fire and you make the bed,/ Without you my darling, my heart is snowy sad," directly express the speaker's dependence on the sweetheart's presence to alleviate the "snowy sad" feeling in their heart, underscoring the theme of isolation.

Winter Imagery and its Symbolic Weight

The poem is rich in winter imagery, which serves as a powerful symbol of emotional coldness and isolation. The "blizzard whirling outside" and the "white flowers" being "sheding" (snow) are not merely descriptions of the weather; they represent the speaker's internal state. The "snowy sad" heart is a direct result of the sweetheart's absence or perceived emotional distance. This imagery is contrasted with the warmth of the "fire" and the comfort of the "bed," which symbolize the potential for intimacy and connection that the speaker craves.

Color Symbolism: Blue Hues of Emotion

The recurring use of blue in the poem, particularly in the lines "Ocean blue jersey and the eyes dark blue," invites further interpretation. Blue is often associated with sadness, melancholy, and introspection. The "ocean blue jersey" could represent a tangible expression of the speaker's inner emotions, while the "eyes dark blue" might suggest a deep well of emotion in the sweetheart. The combination of these blue hues reinforces the overall sense of sadness and longing that permeates the poem. The blue, combined with the white snow, creates a palette of coldness that only the fire can counteract.

Concluding Thoughts: A Plea for Connection

In conclusion, "Ocean Blue Jersey And The Eyes Dark Blue" is a poignant exploration of love, longing, and isolation, painted against a backdrop of winter's chill. The poem's simple language and vivid imagery effectively convey the speaker's emotional state and their desire for warmth and connection with their sweetheart. The final lines, a direct plea for comfort and presence, leave the reader with a lingering sense of the speaker's vulnerability and their reliance on the sweetheart to banish the "snowy sad" feeling in their heart. The poem's strength lies in its ability to capture a universal experience of human emotion in a concise and evocative manner.