Absence (Elizabeth Jennings)

Absence by Elizabeth Jennings explores the emotional impact of a lost relationship through the lens of revisiting a familiar place where the speaker and their loved one last met. The poem begins with the speaker's visit to this place, noting that nothing has changed—the gardens are well-tended, the fountains are spraying, and there are no signs of the relationship's end. However, despite the outward appearance of normalcy, the speaker experiences an inner turmoil. The birds' joyful singing and the beauty of the surroundings contrast sharply with the speaker's feelings of loneliness and pain. The familiarity of the place intensifies the absence of the loved one, creating a sense of devastation likened to an earthquake tremor. You can read the poem below and find analysis further down the page.

Absence by Elizabeth Jennings

I visited the place where we last met.

 Nothing was changed, the gardens were well-tended,

 The fountains sprayed their usual steady jet;

 There was no sign that anything had ended

And nothing to instruct me to forget.

 The thoughtless birds that shook out of the trees,

 Singing an ecstasy I could not share,

 Played cunning in my thoughts. Surely in these

 Pleasures there could not be a pain to bear

Or any discord shake the level breeze.

 It was because the place was just the same

 That made your absence seem a savage force,

 For under all the gentleness there came

 An earthquake tremor: fountain, birds and grass

Were shaken by my thinking of your name

Analysis:

Title Significance:

The title, "Absence," sets the theme of the poem, highlighting the central focus on the absence of the loved one and the emotional impact it has on the speaker. The title suggests that the absence is not just physical but also deeply felt, permeating the speaker's thoughts and emotions.

Setting:

The poem is set in a familiar place, likely a garden park or outdoor space, where the speaker and their loved one last met. The setting serves as a backdrop for the speaker's reflections on their relationship and the emotional turmoil of their absence.

Imagery and Sensory Language:

Jennings uses vivid imagery and sensory language to evoke the atmosphere of the place, such as the well-tended gardens, spraying fountains, and singing birds. The contrast between the serene beauty of the surroundings and the speaker's inner turmoil creates a powerful juxtaposition that underscores the emotional impact of the absence.

Structure:

The poem consists of three stanzas, with irregular line lengths and no consistent rhyme scheme.

The structure reflects the speaker's emotional journey, beginning with a description of the place, followed by the speaker's reflections on the contrast between the outward appearance and inner turmoil, and concluding with the realisation of the absence's profound impact.

Tone and Mood:

The tone is reflective and melancholic, with a sense of longing and sadness permeating the speaker's reflections.

The mood is one of loneliness and heartache, as the speaker grapples with the absence of their loved one amidst the familiar surroundings.

Themes:

Loss and Longing: The poem explores the theme of loss and longing, as the speaker grapples with the absence of their loved one and the emotional void it creates.

Memory and Remembrance: The speaker's visit to the familiar place triggers memories of their past encounters with their loved one, intensifying their feelings of loss and nostalgia.

Perception vs. Reality: The poem juxtaposes the outward appearance of normalcy with the speaker's inner turmoil, highlighting the disconnect between perception and reality in coping with loss.

Language and Diction:

Jennings's language is descriptive and emotive, with an emphasis on conveying the speaker's complex emotions and inner turmoil. The use of specific imagery, such as the well-tended gardens and singing birds, adds depth and richness to the speaker's reflections on the place and their memories of the loved one.

Conclusion:

Absence by Elizabeth Jennings is a poignant exploration of loss and longing in the aftermath of a lost relationship. Through vivid imagery and reflective language, Jennings captures the emotional turmoil of the speaker as they revisit a familiar place haunted by memories of their loved one. The poem offers a contemplative reflection on the profound impact of absence and the enduring ache of longing in the face of loss.

You can find analysis of all the Edexcel Time and Place Poetry Anthology Poems here.