The Adamantine Perfection of Desireby Jane Hirshfield
1 Nothing more strong
than to be helpless before desire.
than to be helpless before desire.
No reason,
the simplified heart whispers,
5 the argument over,
only This.
the simplified heart whispers,
5 the argument over,
only This.
No longer choosing anything but assent.
Its bowl scraped clean to the bottom,
the skull-bone cup no longer horrifies,
10 but, rimmed in silver, shines.
the skull-bone cup no longer horrifies,
10 but, rimmed in silver, shines.
A spotted dog follows a bitch in heat.
Gray geese flying past us, crying.
The living cannot help but love the world.
Gray geese flying past us, crying.
The living cannot help but love the world.
As you have said, Jane Hirshfield's "The Adamantine Perfection of Desire" communicates the strength of desire. Hirshfield explicates how there is "Nothing more strong than to be helpless before desire" at the very beginning of the poem (1-2). Desire, however, only appears to be applicable to humanity. The instinct dictates the actions of animals. Yes, Hirshfield acknowledges that "The living cannot help but love the world" (13). What can be considered to be dead? Humanity. Those who are helpless before desire are dead, without a cause. Desire is not infauation, but an inescapable chasm preventing us from experiencing the happiness of our lives.
ReplyDeleteYou clearly acknowledge the desire pervading throughout Jane Hirshfield's "The Adamantine Perfection of Desire." Humanity was once capable of change. Until desire. There is "Nothing more strong than to be helpless before desire" (1-2). Of course, desire is applicable only to humanity. Animals, whose decisions are based on instinct "cannot help but love the world" (13). What is death? Desire. Desire is not an infatuation, but an inescapable chasm for humanity. Desire demonstrates the 7 Deadly Sins and is an inexplicable truth of life. To continue living, we must be intellectuals, using reason to enforce our actions.
ReplyDeleteThroughout your poetry essay, you clearly acknowledge the desire pervading throughout Jane Hirshfield's "The Adamantine Perfection of Desire." Humanity was once capable of change. Once capable of overcoming any obstacle and reaching eternal salvation. That is, until desire. Unfortunately, there is "Nothing more strong than to be helpless before desire" (Hirshfield 1-2). Of course, desire is applicable only to humanity. Animals, whose decisions are based on instinct "cannot help but love the world" (Hirshfield 13). What is death? Desire. Desire is not an infatuation, but an inescapable chasm for humanity. Desire demonstrates the 7 Deadly Sins. And yes, desire is an inexplicable and unavoidable truth of life. But in order to continue living, we must be intellectuals, using reason to legitimize our actions. Also, the word “Adamantine” in the title of this poem implies a verbal irony. I will admit, before conducting any research, I was under the assumption that this word could be defined as absolute. Since “Adamantine” is defined as unyielding, the narrator juxtaposes perfection with a perpetual and unrestrained desire. In juxtaposing these ideas in the title, a strong voice is communicated throughout the duration of the entire poem. Individual desire is criticized.
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