#436 in Franklin
I stumbled upon the following poem when researching a specific topic yesterday. I loved it so much I felt like analyzing it right away.
*****
I found the words to every thought
I ever had – but One –
And that – defies me –
As a Hand did try to chalk the Sun
To Races – nurtured in the Dark –
How would your own – begin?
Can Blaze be shown in Cochineal –
Or Noon – in Mazarin?
*****
My interpretation
I found the words to every thought
I ever had – but One –
The poet had always been able to find words to describe every single thought she’s ever had
Except for one particular thought (or feeling).
And that – defies me –
The fact that she can’t put words on this one particular thought is a challenge for her. It’s like this thought invites her in some sort of a duel, a fight, a contest (“defies me”).
As a Hand did try to chalk the Sun
Trying to describe this thought with words would be like trying to represent the Sun by drawing it with chalk - can someone even know what the Sun really is or feels like through some drawing and dull colors?
The ED Lexicon defines “to chalk out” as: “From the use of chalk in marking lines, the phrase to chalk out is used to signify, to lay out, draw out, or describe; as, to chalk out a plan of proceeding”.
To Races – nurtured in the Dark –
How would your own – begin?
How can people who grew up in the dark understand
What the Sun really is with words or a drawing?
Can Blaze be shown in Cochineal –
Or Noon – in Mazarin?
Can we, readers, humans, the poet
Describe what the Sun’s heat (the blaze) really is using the deepest, most vibrant red pigments (Cochineal)?
Or describe the Noon sky (Noon is usually associated with the lovers) with the deepest blue pigment there is (Mazarin)?
I think Emily is talking about LOVE. Love cannot be described with words, cannot be drawn or explained to anyone who hasn’t experienced it. Love can only be understood and felt by someone who loved or loves.
Cochineal and Mazarin pigments
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