Now
by an anonymous contemporary poet
Out of your whole life give but one moment!
All of your life that has gone before,
All to come after it, so you ignore,
So you make the present perfect, condense,
In a rapture of rage, for perfection’s endowment,
Thought, feeling, soul, and sense,
Merged in a moment which, at last, gives me.
You around me once, you beneath me, above me,
I am sure that despite time, future, past,
This tick of our lifetime’s one moment, you love me!
How long such suspension may linger? Ah, sweet,
The moment eternal, just that and no more,
When ecstasy’s utmost we clutch at the core,
While cheeks burn, arms open, eyes shut and lips meet!
Summary of Now
- Popularity of “Now”: While often attributed to Robert Browning, this poem appears to be a modern work written in the style of the Victorian poet. Its compelling exploration of intense desire and idealized love accounts for its enduring appeal.
- “Now” as a Representation of Love: The poem is a passionate plea for complete and total immersion in a single moment of love. The speaker implores their beloved to relinquish the past and future, to focus entirely on the present, forging a connection so profound it eclipses all else. It is a desire for a perfect, consuming union, a fleeting escape from time itself, where doubt dissolves and love reigns supreme. The closing lines reveal a poignant yearning to hold onto this sacred moment forever, acknowledging its inherent impossibility.
- Major Themes in “Now”: The poem’s central themes revolve around love, surrender, and the fleeting nature of perfection. The speaker seeks a transcendent connection, a complete merging of self with the beloved, free from the constraints of time and external realities. Through this passionate expression, the poem suggests that true love demands not only emotional intensity but also unwavering devotion and a willingness to lose oneself in another.
Analysis of Literary Devices Used in Now
The power of poetry often lies in the skillful deployment of literary devices. “Now” is no exception, employing several techniques to amplify its emotional impact and deepen its meaning.
- Assonance: The repetition of vowel sounds creates a musicality that enhances the poem’s flow and emphasizes particular emotions. Notice the repetition of the “e” sound in lines like “So you make the present perfect, condense.” This subtle sonic echo draws attention to the poem’s focus on the present moment.
- Alliteration: The repetition of consonant sounds, particularly at the beginning of words, adds rhythm and texture to the verse. The repeated “s” sound in “How long such suspension may linger?” mimics the drawn‑out quality of the desired moment, creating a sense of longing and anticipation.
- Anaphora: The deliberate repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive clauses or lines emphasizes a particular idea. The use of “All of your life” at the start of multiple lines powerfully underscores the speaker’s desire to dismiss the past and future, focusing solely on the present.
- Consonance: The repetition of consonant sounds within words adds a subtle layer of musicality and emphasizes particular themes. The repeated “t” sound in “I am sure that despite time, future, past” reinforces the poem’s preoccupation with the relentless march of time and the speaker’s desire to transcend it.
- Enjambment: The continuation of a sentence or phrase from one line to the next creates a sense of momentum and anticipation. Lines such as “When ecstasy’s utmost we clutch at the core
While cheeks burn, arms open, eyes shut and lips meet!” flow seamlessly into one another, mirroring the speaker’s overwhelming passion and the breathless urgency of the moment. - Imagery: Vivid and sensual images appeal to the reader’s senses, creating a powerful emotional response. Phrases like “Merged in a moment” and “This tick of our lifetime’s one moment” evoke a sense of intimacy and immediacy, drawing the reader into the heart of the experience.
- Metaphor: The poem functions as an extended metaphor for the transformative power of love. The desire to suspend time symbolizes the belief that love transcends the limitations of the physical world and offers a glimpse of eternity.
- Rhetorical Question: The question “How long such suspension may linger?” isn’t seeking an answer. Instead, it emphasizes the fleeting nature of the moment and the speaker’s desperate wish to prolong it, highlighting the bittersweet beauty of its impermanence.
- Symbolism: Love itself symbolizes a longing for completeness and connection, while the suspension of time represents a desire to escape the constraints of reality and experience a moment of pure, unadulterated bliss.
Analysis of Poetic Devices Used in Now
Beyond literary devices, poetic devices shape the structural and musical elements of a poem, contributing to its overall effect.
- Diction: The poet’s deliberate word choices create a specific tone and atmosphere. The use of words like “rapture,” “condense,” and “ecstasy” evokes a sense of passionate intensity and heightened emotion.
- End Rhyme: The poem employs a rhyme scheme, contributing to its musicality and creating a sense of closure. However, it does not strictly adhere to a traditional sonnet structure.
- Structure: “Now” is comprised of a single stanza, mirroring the speaker’s desire for unbroken intensity and a continuous, uninterrupted experience of love. This unbroken form emphasizes the all‑consuming nature of the moment.
Quotes to be Used
The following lines are particularly resonant and can be used to express deep affection and passion.
“The moment eternal, just that and no more,
When ecstasy’s utmost we clutch at the core
While cheeks burn, arms open, eyes shut and lips meet!”