Meeting Point
By Louis Macneice
Time was away and somewhere else,
There were two glasses and two chairs
And two people with the one pulse
(Somebody stopped the moving stairs):
Time was away and somewhere else.And they were neither up nor down;
The stream’s music did not stop
Flowing through heather, limpid brown,
Although they sat in a coffee shop
And they were neither up nor down.The bell was silent in the air
Holding its inverted poise.
Between the clang and clang a flower,
A brazen calyx of no noise:
The bell was silent in the air.The camels crossed the miles of sand
That stretched around the cups and plates;
The desert was their own, they planned
To portion out the stars and dates:
The camels crossed the miles of sand.Time was away and somewhere else.
The waiter did not come, the clock
Forgot them and the radio waltz
Came out like water from a rock:
Time was away and somewhere else.Her fingers flicked away the ash
That bloomed again in tropic trees:
Not caring if the markets crash
When they had forests such as these,
Her fingers flicked away the ash.God or whatever means the Good
Be praised that time can stop like this,
That what the heart has understood
Can verify in the body’s peace
God or whatever means the Good.Time was away and she was here
And life no longer what it was,
The bell was silent in the air
And all the room one glow because
Time was away and she was here.
Summary of Meeting Point
- Popularity of “Meeting Point”: ‘Meeting Point’ was penned by Louis Macneice, a celebrated British poet of Irish descent. Published in 1940, this poem is a captivating exploration of a profound and transcendent experience of love. The speaker beautifully articulates how two lovers momentarily escape the confines of time and space, existing in a shared reality.
- “Meeting Point” As a Representative of Lost Love: The poem depicts a love that has blossomed into a cherished memory. It begins with a vivid description of two lovers secluded in a public space, sharing an intimate moment that transports them beyond the boundaries of time and place. Immersed in their love, they perceive the world around them as suspended. They envision a future together, their connection resonating with harmony, undisturbed even by the stillness of a bell. Though these moments of perfect bliss are fleeting, the memory of this shared connection remains vivid and enduring.
- Major Themes in “Meeting Point”: The poem explores themes of evolving relationships, the interplay between imagination and reality, and the subjective experience of time. Macneice masterfully conveys the idea that time itself can seem to stand still for those who find joy in the simplest of moments. It presents a timeless encounter between two lovers, suggesting that within these precious moments an entire lifetime unfolds. However, the poem also acknowledges the fragility of such bonds, hinting at the inevitable separation that awaits, leaving behind only a lingering, beautiful memory.
Analysis of Literary Devices Used in “Meeting Point”
Literary devices are the tools writers employ to enhance their style and convey their ideas, feelings, and emotions to readers. Louis Macneice skillfully uses a range of these devices to create a richly textured and evocative poem. Let’s examine some key examples:
- Assonance: Assonance is the repetition of vowel sounds within the same line. In “Meeting Point,” we see this in phrases such as “Not caring if the markets crash,” where the repeated /a/ sound appears, and “God or whatever means the Good,” where the /o/ sound resonates. This repetition creates a musical quality, adding to the poem’s lyrical flow.
- Alliteration: Alliteration is the repetition of consonant sounds at the beginning of successive words. Notice the use of /c/ in “The camels crossed the miles of sand” and the gentle repetition of /f/ in “Her fingers flicked away the ash.” These sounds draw attention to specific phrases and create a sense of rhythm.
- Consonance: Consonance is the repetition of consonant sounds within the same line, but not necessarily at the beginning of words. For example, in “That what the heart has understood,” the repeated /t/ and /s/ sounds create a subtle harmony. Similarly, the recurrence of /r/ in “Not caring if the markets crash” adds to the poem’s sonic texture.
- Enjambment: Enjambment occurs when a thought or phrase continues from one line to the next without punctuation. This technique creates a sense of momentum and natural speech. Consider this example:
“The waiter did not come, the clock
Forgot them and the radio waltz
Came out like water from a rock:
Time was away and somewhere else.”The thought flows seamlessly across the lines, mirroring the feeling of timelessness the poem explores.
- Hyperbole: Hyperbole is exaggeration used for emphasis. In “Meeting Point,” the line “God or whatever means the Good / Be praised that time can stop like this” is a hyperbolic expression of the lovers’ profound experience. The exaggeration underscores the intensity of their connection.
- Imagery: Imagery is the use of vivid language to create sensory experiences for the reader. The poem is rich with imagery: “The stream’s music did not stop,” “Her fingers flicked away the ash,” and “The waiter did not come, the clock” all appeal to different senses, drawing the reader into the scene.
- Metaphor: A metaphor is a figure of speech that implies a comparison between two different things. “Time” is used as an extended metaphor throughout the poem, representing not merely a chronological measure, but a subjective experience that can be altered by intense emotion. The lovers’ connection allows them to transcend the constraints of time, as if controlling something normally uncontrollable.
Analysis of Poetic Devices Used in “Meeting Point”
Poetic devices are techniques specifically used in poetry to create particular effects. While there is overlap with literary devices, some are unique to the art of verse. Let’s delve into some of the poetic devices used in “Meeting Point”:
- End Rhyme: End rhyme occurs when the last syllables of lines rhyme, creating a musical effect. The poem employs a consistent rhyme scheme, as seen in pairings such as “ash/crash,” “clock/rock,” and “plates/dates.” This contributes to the poem’s lyrical flow.
- Rhyme Scheme: The poem follows an ABABA rhyme scheme. This pattern continues throughout the poem, creating a sense of structure and predictability, while also allowing for variation in content.
- Repetition: The repeated line “Time was away and she was here” serves as a refrain, creating a sense of musicality and emphasizing the poem’s central theme: the transcendence of time through love.
- Refrain: As mentioned above, the repetition of “Time was away and she was here” functions as a refrain, reinforcing the poem’s central idea and creating a memorable echo.
- Stanza: A stanza is a group of lines forming a unit in a poem. “Meeting Point” consists of eight stanzas, each containing five lines, also known as a quintet. This consistent structure contributes to the poem’s overall coherence.
Quotes to be Used
The lines stated below are particularly resonant for anyone reflecting on cherished moments in their lives:
“Time was away and somewhere else,
There were two glasses and two chairs
And two people with the one pulse.”
This opening stanza captures the essence of a deeply connected moment, suggesting a shared experience that transcends the everyday. It speaks to the power of love to create a unique and timeless space between two people.