Literary Analysis:
The poem is written in free verse. The poet has used various metaphors and imagery to paint a picture of beauty. The poet uses the metaphor of “gently moving bamboo” to paint a picture of the beautiful and flexible body of the beloved”. The beloved eyes are full of peace. Poet has used imagery which appeals senses of sight. The first stanza conveys the idea that the beloved is far distanced and resides only in desire. So, she is beyond the reach of her lover.
Thus, the first stanza presents a theme of desire as well as distance. There is a warm desire for bamboo-like arms of the beloved, which appeals to the lover. While at the same time, there is an unshakable distance, which keeps the passion for intimacy at bay.
The second stanza indicates the “frantic heart” of the lover, where desires go beyond any bonds of control. The poet uses metaphors of “ploughmen” and “seed” to describe the desire to procreate. For centuries, the metaphors used by the poet have been used as euphemisms for procreation. The voluptuousness of the lover is indicated by those words, which indicate a biological drive to reproduce. Thus, he desires to plough and procreates.
Another interpretation of the ploughmen analogy can be that: “the heart of lover is full with the desire to plant a seed of love”. Which might eliminate all the distance which resides between the lover and beloved.”
So, the themes within the poem are these. Firstly, Desire: The lover’s tone indicates a desire for the bodily charm of the beloved. The lover draws an analogy of “bamboo” to show the charm of the beloved. Secondly, “Desire to procreate”: In the second stanza, the ploughman analogy and metaphor indicates the deep desire to procreate. The poet uses the metaphor of “planting a seed” to indicate this desire that he wants to impregnate the beloved. So, there is a sense of lust and voluptuousness there. Lastly, Distance: In first stanza poet says that there are greater distances which are separating both the lover and beloved from each other. Despite seeing him in front of his eyes. He says:
“she is far away.
her place not easy to reach”
In conclusion, it can be said that in the poem poet has used various metaphors and chosen the style of “free- verse” to convey his feelings for the beloved. The central theme of the poem is the desire to procreate, distance, intimacy, love and attraction. Moreover, the poet uses euphemisms to indicate the lustful desire of the lover for the beloved. Hus, the poem incorporates metaphors and euphemisms as stylistic and literary choices to create a piece of poetry.