To Be in Love

The lover “[s]huts a door” (Line 18) midway through the poem, and perhaps midway through the relationship. The speaker’s response to the partner’s absence is to note their “arms are water” (Line 20). This image symbolizes two ideas: The speaker’s sense of solidity has vanished, and their physical hold on the lover has dissolved. More images of dissolution follow. The couple has broken up permanently due to the speaker’s unwillingness to convey their feelings, for thinking that “[h]is hand to take your hand is overmuch” (Line 12). The speaker’s thoughts revolve around their rejection of the lover for not coming forth with how they felt. Wondering “when to declare” (Line 28) has caused the death of the partnership. Wondering “when to apprize” (Line 29) has caused the “Column of Gold” (Line 31) to disintegrate into “the commonest ash” (Line 32). The speaker’s negligence has caused the “ghastly freedom” (Line 22) they did not want and destroyed their former blissful union.

In the poem, after their lover’s departure, the speaker describes themselves as “the beautiful half / Of a golden hurt” (Lines 23-24). This line conveys the painful breakup of a treasured relationship. However, it also shows that as the lover departs, the speaker recognizes that in the end, they have been the only partner to fully engage.