Nobody My Love by Sebastião Alba: Poem and Analysis

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Nobody My Love by Sebastião Alba, in 'A Noite Dividida’

No one, my love,

no one like us knows the sun

They can use it in mirrors

to extinguish

the paper boats on our lakes with it

, they can force it to stop

at the entrance of the lowest houses,

they can still make

the night gravitate

today to the same side

But No one, my love,

no one like us knows the sun

Until the sun cuts the throat

of the horizon where one by one

they lay us

down, blindfolding us

 General Introduction

The poem "Nobody My Love" is written by Sebastião Alba, a Portuguese poet known for his profound and evocative style. It appears in his collection 'A Noite Dividida'.

Context about the Poet's Life, Style, and the Period:

Sebastião Alba, born in 1940 in Portugal, is recognized for his melancholic and reflective poetry. His works often delve into themes of love, nature, and existential contemplation, blending lyrical beauty with philosophical depth. 'A Noite Dividida' reflects a period of introspection and exploration of human emotions against the backdrop of natural imagery.

 Title

Analyze the Title:

The title "Nobody My Love" immediately evokes a sense of intimacy and exclusivity, suggesting a private, almost secretive bond between the speaker and their beloved. It hints at themes of isolation and a unique understanding shared only by the two, setting a tone of deep personal connection.

 Stanza by Stanza Analysis

Stanza 1:

"No one, my love,

no one like us knows the sun"

The speaker begins by asserting a unique connection between themselves and their beloved, emphasizing that their understanding or experience of the sun is unparalleled.

Stanza 2:

"They can use it in mirrors

to extinguish

the paper boats on our lakes with it,"

The use of "they" contrasts with "us," suggesting outsiders manipulating the sun's light for mundane or destructive purposes, diminishing its beauty.

Stanza 3:

"they can force it to stop

at the entrance of the lowest houses,"

This implies a limitation imposed on the sun, trapping its brilliance in the ordinary and the lowly.

Stanza 4:

"they can still make

the night gravitate

today to the same side"

Here, the manipulation extends to controlling time itself, yet it feels futile against the bond the speaker and their beloved share.

Stanza 5:

"But No one, my love,

no one like us knows the sun"

Reiterating the unique bond, this line emphasizes that despite others' efforts, their understanding remains singular.

Stanza 6:

"Until the sun cuts the throat

of the horizon where one by one

they lay us

down, blindfolding us"

A darker turn, this suggests an inevitable end or a dramatic transformation, where the sun's power becomes fatal, leading to a collective blindness or death.

 Themes

1. Unique Understanding and Connection:

   - "No one, my love, no one like us knows the sun"

   - The repeated assertion of a unique bond highlights the intimacy and exclusivity of the speaker's relationship.

2. Manipulation and Control:

   - "They can use it in mirrors to extinguish the paper boats on our lakes with it"

   - The idea that others manipulate the sun for their own purposes reflects themes of control and limitation.

3. Inevitability of Change:

   - "Until the sun cuts the throat of the horizon"

   - The inevitable end or transformation is depicted dramatically, suggesting a larger, unavoidable shift.

4. Isolation:

   - "no one like us knows the sun"

   - The speaker and their beloved are isolated in their understanding, separated from the rest of the world.

5. Mortality and Blindness:

   - "they lay us down, blindfolding us"

   - The final image evokes themes of mortality and the loss of sight or understanding.

 Structure and Form

The poem is written in free verse, characterized by a lack of consistent rhyme scheme or meter. The stanza arrangement varies, with some stanzas consisting of one or two lines, contributing to a sense of fragmentation and emphasis on certain ideas.

 Literary Devices

1. Anaphora:

   - "No one, my love, no one"

   - The repetition of "no one" emphasizes the exclusivity of the bond.

2. Imagery:

   - "paper boats on our lakes"

   - Creates a visual image of delicate and transient beauty.

3. Personification:

   - "the sun cuts the throat of the horizon"

   - The sun is given a violent, almost human action, enhancing the dramatic impact.

4. Metaphor:

   - "blindfolding us"

   - Suggests ignorance or a forced lack of awareness.

5. Juxtaposition:

   - Contrasting the unique understanding of the speaker and their beloved with the mundane actions of "they."

6. Symbolism:

   - The sun represents knowledge, understanding, and perhaps life itself.

 Language and Diction

The language is lyrical and evocative, with a formal tone. Words like "extinguish," "gravitate," and "blindfolding" contribute to the poem's solemn and reflective mood. The diction is precise, enhancing the thematic depth.

 Mood and Tone

The mood of the poem is contemplative and melancholic, with an underlying sense of intimacy. The tone is reflective and earnest, as the speaker meditates on the unique connection they share with their beloved.

 Context

The historical and cultural context of Alba's time, including post-war Portugal and its societal changes, may influence the themes of isolation and transformation. The poet's introspective style reflects a period of personal and collective reevaluation.

 Speaker and Point of View

The speaker appears to be a persona created by the poet, addressing their beloved in an intimate and reflective manner. The perspective is personal, emphasizing a deep, unique connection.

 Imagery and Sensory Details

- Visual:

  - "paper boats on our lakes," "the sun cuts the throat of the horizon"

- Tactile:

  - "blindfolding us"

These sensory details create vivid images that enhance the poem's emotional impact.

 Symbolism and Allegory

- The Sun:

  - Represents knowledge, understanding, and life.

- Paper Boats:

  - Symbolize fragility and transience.

- Blindfold:

  - Suggests ignorance or forced lack of awareness.

 Sound and Rhythm

The poem uses subtle internal rhyme and alliteration to create a musical quality. The free verse form allows for a natural, flowing rhythm that mirrors the contemplative tone.

 Syntax and Lineation

The use of enjambment and varied line lengths creates a sense of movement and fragmentation, emphasizing certain ideas and contributing to the poem's reflective nature.

 Intertextuality

The poem may reference classical themes of love and knowledge, though no direct intertextual references are evident. The use of universal symbols like the sun and horizon connects the poem to a broader literary tradition.

 Conclusion

"Nobody My Love" by Sebastião Alba is a contemplative and intimate exploration of unique connection, manipulation, and the inevitable transformation of life. Through vivid imagery, careful diction, and a reflective tone, Alba creates a powerful meditation on love and understanding in the face of external forces.