Andre Lorde \"Beams\" Explication in Audres Poem

Andre Lorde "Beams" Explication

In Audres poem "Beams" she suggests that the process of aging and the loss of the vigor youth is something that cannot be halted. The poem expresses the sadness and loss of innocence that results from the perception of aging. It also expresses her sense of nostalgia and loss at the passing years and lost opportunities. The poem describes the poet's desire and efforts to regain the exuberance of youth. A number of poetic techniques are used in the poem. Imagery is used extensively to express the intention of the poet. Rhythm is also used as a means of enhancing meaning. One of the central devices used in the poem is word usage or diction; where various words can have double or ambiguous meanings.

The first two lines of the first section introduce images and content that relate to the past as well as to the contradiction between youth and old age. "In the afternoon sun / that smelled of contradiction." ( Lines 1 and 2)

The word "afternoon" and the atmosphere of the late day and approaching dusk, all suggest a feeling and a mood of decline and rest. This is further emphasized by the word "contradiction" in the second line which intimates a sense of opposition. This sense of opposition and conflict is to be carried throughout the poem in various forms. In these lines a contrast is suggested between youthful energy and the decline into old age. This mood of contradiction is further emphasized by the third line which suggests the start of spring. " quick birds announcing spring's intention / and autumn about to begin " ( lines 3 and 4)

The images of spring and nature are contrasted with the onset of autumn and, by implication, old age. These lines set the tone of the poem which is continued throughout. Note as well the use of diction in the third line. The use of the word "quick" captures the sense of aliveness in spring. On the other hand it can also be interpreted as something that is fleeting and closely to be followed by autumn.

The poem continues to explore this sense of contradiction between youth and age and a sense of regret and self-admonishment creeps into the poem.

choice becoming a stone wall across possible beams outlined on the shapes of winter

( lines 9-13)

The suggestion in the above lines is that choices made in life become like a "stone wall" which prevents the crossing of "beams." The word "beams" suggests avenues or pathways that could have been taken in life but were not. The word could also refer to beams of light that illuminate the past and the energy of vibrant youth. Another interpretation of this word could also refer to having a beam in one's eye; in other words not being able to see the truth or reality of things clearly.

The rest of the first section of the poem refers to images and activities in the past - or the time of spring. They are essentially youthful images of energy a life that are presented in a montage of various snapshots of activity in memory.

the sunset colors of Southhamton Beach

red-snapper runs at Salina Cruz

and we slept in the fishermen's nets a pendulum swing between the rippling fingers of a belly dancer with brass rings and a two-year-old's sleep smell the inexorable dwindling no body's choice and for a few short summers

I too was delightful.

( Lines 14 -24)

The Rhythm of these lines is fast and vibrant with the images contributing to the overall impression of life and activity. Notice the use of verbs and words that suggest movement and youth such as "swing," "rippling" and "dancer." However the body has no choice but to get old - " no body's choice"- and this leads to an "inexorable dwindling." The last two lines of the above section suggest the sense of loss and regret that returns the reader to the main theme of the poem. The time of youth is short and lasts "a few short summers." It is a time when the protagonist had been young, innocent and "delightful." However, this is in the past and there is a sense of regret that permeates these lines.

The second section of the poem continues this sense of desire for the aliveness of spring. " Whenever spring comes I wish to burn / to ride the flood like a zebra goaded / shaken with sun " ( lines 25 -- 27)

The use of the word "burn" and images of nature, flood and sun, all contribute to the sense of exuberance and a natural zest for life. There is also a sense of regret and even despair which is suggested by the word "wish"; as if the protagonist can no longer so these things. It should also be mentioned that the use of African images may also refer to the poet's heritage and origins, which would suggest a deeper and less personal interpretation of the poem.

The sense of regret and loss is accentuated by images and word usage throughout this section. For example, the following lines clearly suggest loss and desire for what has gone. " and desire for what is gone / sealed into hunger ... " ( lines 30 and 31)

The desire for the past has become a deep-seated inner hunger for something that can no longer be attained. This hunger is described by the simile in line 31, "like an abandoned mine."

The image presented here offers a powerful sense of desolation and loss. It is also an image that is to be repeated later in the poem.

The poem continues to reveal more insight into the nature and cause of this sense of loss. There is blame and self-recrimination in the following lines about something that has taken place in the past. " I lay rigid with denials / the clarity of frost without / the pain of coldness " ( Lines 33 -- 35)

This sense of pain and loss is cleverly emphasized by the metaphor of frost and cold; where the protagonist is shown to be sharply and intensely aware of the factors that have influenced her in the past. The lines, " autumn's sharp precisions and yet / for the green to stay." ( lines 36 and 36) again refer to decisions or choices that had been made and, at the same time, they refer to desire for the "green" or the sense of life and youth to remain.

The rest of this section refers to obscure images of African women, possibly hinting at work or duties that had to be accomplished - and which at the same time caused the protagonist to lose her innocent sense of youthful life. This in empathized by the image of the Spartan women warriors - Dahomean Amazons- and to images of loss of innocence and the introduction of fear into her life. "I am scared and naked / as a strip-mined hill in West Virginia." ( lines 41 and 42)