The Desert Road
By Gilbert Parker
In the sands I lived in a hut of palm,
There was never a garden to see;
There was never a path through the desert calm,
Nor a way through its storms for me.
Tenant was I of a lone domain;
The far pale caravans wound
To the rim of the sky, and vanished again;
My call in the waste was drowned.
The vultures came and hovered and fled;
And once there stole to my door
A white gazelle, but its eyes were dread
With the hurt of the wounds it bore.
It passed in the dusk with a foot of fear,
And the white cold mists rolled in;
And my heart was the heart of a stricken deer,
Of a soul in the snare of sin.
My days they withered like rootless things,
And the sands rolled on, rolled wide;
Like a pelican I, with broken wings,
Like a drifting barque on the tide.
But at last, in the light of a rose-red day,
In the windless glow of the morn,
From over the hills and from far away,
You came-ah, the joy of the morn!
And wherever your footsteps fell there crept
A path — it was fair and wide;
A desert road which no sands have swept,
Where never a hope has died.
I followed you forth, and your beauty held
My heart like an ancient song,
By that desert road to the blossoming plains
I came, and the way was long.
So, I set my course by the light of your eyes;
I care not what fate may send;
On the road I tread shine the love-starred skies,
The road with never an end.
Poem Analysis:
Gilbert Parker’s poem "Love’s Tributaries" is a profound meditation on the transformative power of love and its role in shaping human experience. The poem uses rich imagery and metaphor to explore themes of love, redemption, and the eternal nature of true affection.
Themes and Content
- Transformative Power of Love: The poem reflects on how love has a profound ability to change and elevate the individual. The metaphor of "the confluence / Of all Love’s tributaries" suggests that love is a culmination of various influences and experiences, ultimately leading to a grand, eternal essence. This imagery conveys the idea that love encompasses and integrates all aspects of life, transforming them into something greater.
- Personal Redemption and Growth: The speaker acknowledges their own shortcomings with "Poor though I am in my own sight," yet finds solace and redemption through love. The comparison of love to "frost-bound earth" being covered by snow illustrates how love can conceal and heal the scars of past trials. The "ample calm" of love provides a sense of peace and renewal, transforming the harshness of life’s struggles into a promise of rebirth and hope.
- Eternal and Divine Nature of Love: The imagery of love spreading "towards eternity" and the promise of "the spring again" emphasizes the eternal and renewing quality of love. Love is portrayed as a divine force that transcends temporal limitations, offering a sense of continuity and renewal even in the face of death.
Imagery and Symbolism
- Confluence and Sea: The metaphor of "the confluence / Of all Love’s tributaries" leading to a "sea" of love suggests a vast and encompassing force. This imagery symbolizes the way individual experiences and acts of love merge into a larger, eternal whole.
- Snow and Frost-bound Earth: The snow that covers "harsh furrows" represents the way love can soften and obscure the difficulties and trials of life. This imagery conveys the idea of love as a gentle force that heals and renews, covering the past’s harshness with a blanket of peace and hope.
- Sunshine and Spring: The "pure unfolding sunshine" and the promise of "spring again" symbolize the renewal and growth that love brings. Sunshine represents clarity and enlightenment, while spring signifies rebirth and the flourishing of new beginnings.
Structure and Style
- Symbolic Language: Parker’s use of symbolic language adds depth to the poem, allowing readers to connect with the abstract concepts of love and transformation. The imagery of natural elements like snow, sunshine, and spring creates a vivid and evocative landscape for the reader.
- Tone and Voice: The tone of the poem is contemplative and reverent, reflecting the speaker’s deep appreciation for the transformative power of love. The voice is introspective, conveying a sense of personal growth and spiritual insight.
Gilbert Parker’s "Love’s Tributaries" is a contemplative exploration of the transformative and eternal nature of love. Through vivid imagery and metaphor, Parker illustrates how love integrates and elevates the individual, offering redemption and renewal. The poem’s rich symbolism and reflective tone invite readers to consider the profound impact of love on their own lives and the promise of eternal renewal it brings. Ultimately, "Love’s Tributaries" celebrates love as a divine and enduring force that transcends time and hardship, offering hope and transformation.