Absence
structural
3 quintain's, lyric poem, juxtaposition between first and second stanza because 1st = lack of physical change and 2nd = extent of emotional change
linguistically
enjambment gives conversational and more intimate tone, direct address evokes pathos, sibilance draws attention to phrases.
I visited the place where we last met
line 1 stanza 1. use of pronouns gives impression of transition and talking into the void (loneliness) - ironic because nobody actually there.
thoughtless birds
line 1 stanza 2. inconsiderate nature? therefore underlying tone of bitterness within narrator because nature isn't in tune with her feelings.
nothing was changed
line 2 stanza 1. negative language reinforces how it has remained the same physically.
singing an ecstasy I could not share
line 2 stanza 2.bitterness with nature as cannot share happiness through meloncholy.
usual steady jet
line 3 stanza 1. negative language reinforces how it has remained the same physically.
no sign
line 4 stanza 1. negative language reinforces how it has remained the same physically.
nothing to instruct me to forget
line 5 stanza 1. negative language reinforces how it has remained the same physically.
it was because the place was just the same/ that made your absence seem such a savage force
lines 1 and 2 of stanza 3. juxtaposition between each line, 1 = intensifier and no change, but second line = direct address leading to pathos and sibilance implying anger. Metaphor for absence makes it tangible.
surely in these/ pleasures there could not be a pain to bear
lines 3,4 and 5 of stanza 2. narrator's can't believe she is discontent in such a idyllic location (disbelief at her lack of harmony), surely = universal and bear = hardship.
An earthquake tremor: fountain, birds and grass/ were shaken by my thinking of your name
lines 4 and 5 of stanza 3. caesura in the 4th line represents disturbance in emotional landscape, grass disturbs rhyme scheme which represents unharmonious physical and emotional barrier. line 5 shows effect of emotional instability on the landscape and implies
Elizabeth Jennings
poet
Absence
title - immediately emotional and an intangible thing.