Poetry, as an art form, captures the essence of human experience through the nuanced use of language, rhythm, and imagery. One powerful word often explored in poetry is “before.” This simple word holds profound implications, encapsulating moments of anticipation, memory, and transformation. The concept of “before” in poetry invites readers to reflect on past experiences, consider the passage of time, and explore the emotional landscapes that precede significant events. This article delves into how poets utilize “before” to evoke powerful emotions and create a bridge between the past, present, and future.
The Temporal Dimension of “Before”
In poetry, “before” often functions as a temporal marker, situating a poem within a specific moment in time. This can evoke a sense of nostalgia or longing for the past, or it can create a feeling of suspense and anticipation for what is to come. Poets frequently use “before” to anchor their work in a particular timeframe, allowing readers to navigate through the layers of time and memory.
For example, in T.S. Eliot’s “The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock,” the use of “before” establishes a temporal context that underscores the protagonist’s hesitation and introspection:
And indeed there will be time
To wonder, 'Do I dare?' and, 'Do I dare?'
Time to turn back and descend the stair,
With a bald spot in the middle of my hair—
(They will say: 'How his hair is growing thin!')
My morning coat, my collar mounting firmly to the chin,
My necktie rich and modest, but asserted by a simple pin—
(They will say: 'But how his arms and legs are thin!')
Do I dare
Disturb the universe?
In a minute there is time
For decisions and revisions which a minute will reverse.
For I have known them all already, known them all—
Have known the evenings, mornings, afternoons,
I have measured out my life with coffee spoons;
I know the voices dying with a dying fall
Beneath the music from a farther room.
So how should I presume?
Here, Eliot uses “before” indirectly to illustrate the protagonist’s preoccupation with the past, conveying a sense of missed opportunities and unfulfilled potential. The temporal element adds depth to the character’s internal struggle and paints a vivid picture of his paralysis and regret.
Emotional Resonance of “Before”
Beyond its temporal function, “before” carries significant emotional weight in poetry. It can evoke a range of feelings, from anticipation and hope to regret and sorrow. Poets use “before” to explore the emotional landscapes that precede critical moments, inviting readers to engage with the intensity of these experiences.
In W.B. Yeats’ “The Second Coming,” the use of “before” heightens the sense of impending chaos and transformation:
Turning and turning in the widening gyre
The falcon cannot hear the falconer;
Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold;
Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world,
The blood-dimmed tide is loosed, and everywhere
The ceremony of innocence is drowned;
The best lack all conviction, while the worst
Are full of passionate intensity.
Surely some revelation is at hand;
Surely the Second Coming is at hand.
The Second Coming! Hardly are those words out
When a vast image out of Spiritus Mundi
Troubles my sight: somewhere in sands of the desert
A shape with lion body and the head of a man,
A gaze blank and pitiless as the sun,
Is moving its slow thighs, while all about it
Reel shadows of the indignant desert birds.
The darkness drops again; but now I know
That twenty centuries of stony sleep
Were vexed to nightmare by a rocking cradle,
And what rough beast, its hour come round at last,
Slouches towards Bethlehem to be born?
Yeats uses “before” to signify the tumultuous period preceding the prophesied Second Coming, imbuing the poem with a sense of foreboding and urgency. The emotional resonance of “before” in this context amplifies the reader’s awareness of the cataclysmic changes on the horizon.
“Before” as a Prelude to Change
The word “before” is also frequently employed to denote a threshold moment, a prelude to change or transformation. This usage often appears in poems that deal with personal growth, epiphanies, or significant life events. By focusing on the moments that come “before” a change, poets can capture the tension and uncertainty inherent in these transitions.
Mary Oliver’s “The Journey” exemplifies this use of “before,” portraying the moment before a personal transformation:
One day you finally knew
what you had to do, and began,
though the voices around you
kept shouting
their bad advice—
though the whole house
began to tremble
and you felt the old tug
at your ankles.
"Mend my life!"
each voice cried.
But you didn't stop.
You knew what you had to do,
though the wind pried
with its stiff fingers
at the very foundations,
though their melancholy
was terrible.
It was already late
enough, and a wild night,
and the road full of fallen
branches and stones.
But little by little,
as you left their voices behind,
the stars began to burn
through the sheets of clouds,
and there was a new voice
which you slowly
recognized as your own,
that kept you company
as you strode deeper and deeper
into the world,
determined to do
the only thing you could do—
determined to save
the only life you could save.
Oliver captures the pivotal moment before the protagonist’s journey toward self-discovery and empowerment. The poem’s focus on “before” underscores the courage and determination required to embark on such a transformative path.
Conclusion
The concept of “before” in poetry serves as a powerful tool for exploring time, emotion, and transformation. Through its temporal dimension, poets can evoke nostalgia, longing, and anticipation, creating a rich tapestry of past and future moments. Emotionally, “before” resonates with readers, highlighting the intensity of experiences that precede significant events. As a prelude to change, “before” captures the tension and uncertainty of transitional moments, offering a profound reflection on personal growth and transformation.
Whether used to anchor a poem in a specific timeframe, evoke deep emotions, or signify a threshold moment, “before” remains a versatile and evocative element in the poet’s toolkit. By examining the ways in which poets utilize this simple yet profound word, readers can gain a deeper appreciation for the intricate interplay of language, time, and emotion in the art of poetry.
