Love’s Language
By Gilbert Parker
Just now a wave of perfume floated up
To greet my senses as I broke the seal
Of her short letter; and I still can feel
It stir me as a saint the holy cup.
The missive lies there, — but a few plain words:
A thought about a song, a note of praise,
And social duties such as fill the days
Of women; then a thing that undergirds
The phrases like a psalm: a line that reads —
"I wish that you were coming!" Why, it lies
Upon my heart like blossoms on the skies,
Like breath of balm upon the clover meads.
The perfumed words soothe me into a dream;
My thoughts float to her on the scented stream.
Poem Analysis:
Gilbert Parker’s poem "Love’s Language" is an evocative exploration of the profound emotional impact of simple gestures of love and affection. Through the use of rich imagery and sensory details, Parker captures the essence of how love can transform ordinary moments into deeply meaningful experiences.
Theme and Content
The central theme of "Love’s Language" is the power of love to convey deep emotions through simple, everyday actions and words. The poem illustrates how a brief letter, infused with the scent of the beloved, can evoke powerful feelings and memories, transcending the mundane aspects of life.
- Sensory Imagery and Emotion: The poem begins with a wave of perfume greeting the speaker’s senses as they open a letter: "Just now a wave of perfume floated up / To greet my senses as I broke the seal." This sensory detail immediately sets a romantic and intimate tone, suggesting that even the scent of the beloved has a profound effect on the speaker, comparable to a saint being stirred by the holy cup.
- Content of the Letter: The letter itself contains "a few plain words," reflecting the simplicity and brevity of the communication. Despite the ordinary content—thoughts about a song, a note of praise, and social duties—the letter holds a deeper significance for the speaker. This is emphasized by the line, "I wish that you were coming!" which carries an emotional weight that undergirds the entire message.
- Emotional Impact: The phrase "I wish that you were coming!" is likened to blossoms on the skies and the breath of balm on clover meads, illustrating how a simple wish can bring immense comfort and joy to the speaker. The imagery of blossoms and balm conveys a sense of tranquility and beauty, highlighting the soothing effect of the beloved’s words.
- Transformation of the Ordinary: Parker’s poem emphasizes how ordinary words and actions can be transformed by love into something extraordinary. The perfumed letter, though filled with mundane details, becomes a cherished connection between the speaker and their beloved, evoking dreams and transporting the speaker’s thoughts to the beloved.
Imagery and Tone
The poem is rich with sensory imagery, particularly the use of scent and visual metaphors. The wave of perfume, the comparison to holy experiences, and the imagery of blossoms and balm all contribute to a deeply romantic and intimate atmosphere. The tone is one of reverence and tenderness, underscoring the profound emotional connection between the speaker and their beloved.
Structure and Style
The poem follows a sonnet-like structure, with a clear rhythmic flow and consistent rhyme scheme. This structure lends a lyrical quality to the poem, enhancing its romantic and reflective nature. Parker’s style is characterized by its detailed sensory descriptions and the ability to convey deep emotions through simple, everyday experiences.
The use of metaphor and simile is prominent, with comparisons to religious experiences and natural beauty enhancing the poem’s emotional depth. The language is both simple and profound, reflecting the theme that love can elevate the ordinary to the extraordinary.
Gilbert Parker’s "Love’s Language" beautifully captures the transformative power of love through the sensory and emotional impact of a simple letter. The poem illustrates how ordinary moments and gestures can become deeply meaningful when infused with love, evoking powerful emotions and memories. Through its rich imagery, tender tone, and lyrical structure, the poem conveys the idea that love has the ability to transcend the mundane and create profound connections between individuals. Parker’s evocative use of sensory details and metaphors invites readers to appreciate the subtle yet significant ways in which love can enrich and elevate our everyday lives.