The time will come
when, with elation,
you will greet yourself arriving
at your own door, in your own mirror,
and each will smile at the other’s welcome,
and say, sit here. Eat.
You will love again the stranger who was your self.
Give wine. Give bread. Give back your heart
to itself, to the stranger who has loved you
all your life, whom you ignored
for another, who knows you by heart.
Take down the love letters from the bookshelf,
the photographs, the desperate notes,
peel your own image from the mirror.
Sit. Feast on your life.
[Derek Walcott]
About the author
Derek Walcott (1930-2017) was a Saint Lucian poet and playwright widely regarded as one of the most influential Caribbean writers of the 20th century. Walcott’s work often explored themes of cultural identity, colonialism, and the complexities of the Caribbean experience. His unique style, which blended elements of classical literature with Caribbean folklore and language, earned him international acclaim and numerous awards, including the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1992.
Walcott wrote Love After Love in the late 20th century, during a period when he was grappling with personal challenges and a sense of self-reflection. The poem was first published in his 1976 collection, “Sea Grapes,” which marked a significant milestone in his literary career. The collection showcased Walcott’s mastery of language and his ability to convey profound emotions and insights through his poetry.
The meaning of the poem
Love After Love is a powerful and introspective piece that delves into the concept of self-love and the process of rediscovering oneself after a period of emotional turmoil. The poem speaks to the universal human experience of losing and finding oneself and the importance of embracing one’s true identity.
The opening lines of the poem suggest a moment of self-realization, a time when the speaker will greet themselves with elation, recognizing their own worth and value. This idea of meeting oneself “at your own door, in your own mirror” symbolizes the process of self-discovery and acceptance.
The poem encourages the reader to love “the stranger who was your self,” emphasizing the notion that we often become disconnected from our true selves due to the demands and expectations of others. Walcott urges us to reconnect with this “stranger,” to give back our hearts to ourselves, and to recognize the love that has been present within us all along.
The imagery of taking down love letters, photographs, and desperate notes from the bookshelf suggests the need to let go of past attachments and external validations. By peeling one’s image from the mirror, the speaker is symbolically shedding the layers of societal expectations and self-doubt, revealing their authentic self.
The poem’s final lines, “Sit. Feast on your life,” serve as an invitation to celebrate one’s existence, savour the experiences and emotions that have shaped us, and find nourishment in our own stories. Walcott’s message is one of self-acceptance, self-love, and the courage to embrace our true selves, flaws and all.
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