"Clocks and Lovers"

1983 Poem: “Clocks and Lovers” (W. H. Auden)

Prompt: Write a well-organized essay in which you contrast the attitude of the clocks with that of the lover. Through careful analysis of the language and imagery, show how this contrast is important to the meaning of the poem.

    

     As when two different poets may contrast their thoughts on a subject, a single poet can contrast ideas in one work. Opposition to love and hope in the same is seen in W. H. Auden's poem "Clocks and Lovers". In the poem he gives insight into both sides of love, the fantasy romance love and the limited and stressful love. He accomplishes this contrast through his use of language and imagery throughout the poem. 

     Auden begins by praising love and the wonders it brings with it, "Love had no ending." He finds "love" and is instantly hypnotized. He had a feeling of invisibility and continues describing his feelings, "I'll love you till the ocean is folded and hung up to dry, And the seven stars go squeaking, Like geese about the sky." AT this point all that is discussed is how magnificent and everlasting love is. He feels he controls time and he is the one who decided how long he will love.

     There is a sudden shift in the poem where time becomes the foe. Time becomes the enemy. A quiet one. One that "watches from the shadows, And coughs when you would kiss." Time is now threatening his love and love is no longer as wonderful as it used to be. In the end love is lost for the clocks have ticked and time has gone yet all remains the same and the river continues to flow. There is resignation yet still a trace of frustration in his tone. He has just gone from thinking love lasts forever to being hit by reality and realizing love, like all else, will end.

      Contrast of main ideas in poetry give those contrasting ideas more value and help give the audience a greater understanding of both. In the poem "Clocks and Lovers" by W. H. Auden we see two contrasting views on love using both love and time in the form of clocks. Auden's use of language and imagery helps make the comparison possible.