Poem and Complete Analysis of Love Apart by Christopher Okigbo

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 Love Apart by Christopher Okigbo 

The moon has ascended between us,

Between two pines

That bow to each other;

Love with the moon has ascended,

Has fed on our solitary stems;

And we are now shadows

That cling to each other,

But kiss the air only.

 General Introduction

- Poet and Poem: The poem "Love Apart" is written by Christopher Okigbo, a prominent Nigerian poet known for his modernist style and complex imagery. Okigbo's work often explores themes of identity, spirituality, and the African experience, deeply influenced by his Igbo heritage. He was active during the post-colonial period, a time when African writers were grappling with the legacies of colonialism and exploring new national identities. Okigbo’s poetry is marked by its lyrical intensity and deep engagement with cultural and personal conflicts.

 Title

- Analysis of the Title: The title "Love Apart" immediately suggests a theme of separation or distance in a relationship. The use of the word "Apart" indicates a sense of division, which contrasts with the typical unity associated with love. This title sets the tone for a poem that likely explores the complexities and challenges of love, possibly focusing on emotional or physical separation between lovers.

 Themes in "Love Apart" by Christopher Okigbo

"Love Apart" by Christopher Okigbo is a brief but profound meditation on the complexities of love and the inevitable distance that can arise between lovers. The poem explores several interconnected themes, each contributing to the overall emotional impact and meaning of the work.

 1. Separation and Distance

The most prominent theme in the poem is the separation or distance between the lovers. The imagery of the moon ascending "between us" and the pines that "bow to each other" but are still separate, powerfully conveys this sense of distance. The lovers are portrayed as isolated entities, represented by the "solitary stems" that have grown apart. The distance is not just physical but also emotional and spiritual, as the lovers have become "shadows" of their former selves, unable to connect as they once did. The poem reflects the pain and longing that come with being separated from someone you love, and how over time, even the strongest connections can weaken and fade.

 2. The Inevitability of Change in Relationships

The poem also delves into the inevitability of change within relationships. Love, which once connected the lovers, has "ascended" with the moon, suggesting that it has moved to a different plane or has evolved into something less tangible. This change is inevitable, as reflected in the natural imagery of the moon and the pines, both of which are subject to the cycles and changes of nature. The theme emphasizes that relationships are not static; they evolve, sometimes growing stronger, but other times drifting apart as circumstances and individuals change.

 3. The Fragility of Love

Closely related to the theme of change is the fragility of love. The poem suggests that love, like the moon, can be distant and elusive. The metaphor of the lovers as "shadows" indicates that their love has lost its substance and is now a mere reflection of what it once was. The idea that they "cling to each other, / But kiss the air only" underscores the fragile and intangible nature of their connection. This fragility speaks to the vulnerability of human relationships, where love can be easily disrupted by external forces or internal emotional shifts.

 4. Longing and Unfulfilled Desire

Longing and unfulfilled desire are also central themes in "Love Apart." The lovers in the poem are depicted as yearning for each other, yet unable to bridge the gap between them. The act of "kissing the air" symbolizes their desire to connect, but also the futility of that desire when they are unable to close the distance between them. This unfulfilled longing creates a sense of melancholy and loss, as the lovers are trapped in a situation where they are close enough to feel each other’s presence, but too far to truly connect.

 5. The Role of Nature in Human Emotions

Nature plays a significant role in the poem, not just as a backdrop, but as a mirror to the emotions of the lovers. The moon, pines, and shadows are all natural elements that reflect the themes of separation, change, and fragility in love. The ascent of the moon, for instance, symbolizes the growing distance between the lovers, while the pines bowing to each other represent a natural, yet ultimately unsuccessful, attempt to connect. The use of nature in this way suggests that human emotions, like love, are part of a larger natural cycle, subject to the same forces of growth, decay, and transformation.

 6. The Paradox of Love

Finally, the poem explores the paradoxical nature of love—how it can be both deeply connecting and deeply isolating. The lovers are "shadows / That cling to each other," implying that even as they hold on to their love, it remains insubstantial and unfulfilling. The paradox lies in the fact that love, which should bring two people together, can sometimes be the very thing that highlights their separateness. This theme reflects the complexity of love, where intense emotions can coexist with feelings of distance and alienation.

In "Love Apart," Christopher Okigbo masterfully weaves together themes of separation, change, fragility, longing, the influence of nature, and the paradox of love to create a poignant reflection on the nature of human relationships. The poem captures the bittersweet reality that love, while powerful, is also vulnerable to the passage of time and the forces of change, often leading to a sense of loss and yearning that is as painful as it is universal. These themes resonate deeply, offering a timeless exploration of the challenges and complexities of love.

 Literary Devices

1. Imagery:

   - "The moon has ascended between us, / Between two pines": The imagery of the moon rising between two pines conveys a sense of distance and separation. The moon, often a symbol of romance, is here depicted as a barrier rather than a unifier.

2. Metaphor:

   - "Love with the moon has ascended": Here, love is metaphorically linked with the moon, suggesting that love has grown distant or unattainable, just like the moon in the sky. The ascent of love with the moon implies a movement away from the earth, and thus away from the lovers.

3. Personification:

   - "That bow to each other": The pines are personified as bowing to each other, which could symbolize the lovers’ attempts to connect despite the distance between them. This personification adds a sense of gentleness and yearning to the natural elements in the poem.

4. Alliteration:

   - "solitary stems": The repetition of the ‘s’ sound emphasizes the loneliness of each "stem," or perhaps each person in the relationship. This alliteration reinforces the theme of isolation within the context of love.

5. Symbolism:

   - "We are now shadows": Shadows symbolize something insubstantial, hinting at the idea that the lovers' relationship has lost its substance and is now only a faint echo of what it once was. Shadows cling to each other but lack the solidity to interact fully, much like the lovers who "kiss the air only."

6. Irony:

   - "But kiss the air only": There is irony in this line, as kissing usually implies closeness and intimacy, yet here the lovers are only able to kiss the air, highlighting the emotional or physical distance between them. The act of kissing, which should be intimate, becomes empty and futile.

 Language and Diction

- Analysis of Language and Diction: Okigbo's diction in "Love Apart" is both evocative and restrained. The choice of words like "ascended," "solitary," and "shadows" suggests a movement away from something grounded and real toward something ethereal and insubstantial. The language is formal and poetic, with a sense of melancholy that permeates the poem. There is no use of slang or dialect, which helps maintain a timeless and universal quality to the poem's themes.

 Mood and Tone

- Mood: The mood of the poem is melancholic and reflective. There is a deep sense of loss and yearning, as the speaker contemplates the distance that has grown between the lovers.

- Tone: The tone is somber and introspective. Okigbo seems to be meditating on the nature of love and the inevitability of distance, whether emotional or physical, in relationships.

 Context

- Historical, Cultural, and Social Context: "Love Apart" was written during a time when many African countries, including Nigeria, were dealing with the aftermath of colonialism and the struggle for identity. While the poem itself does not directly address these issues, the theme of separation and distance can be seen as reflective of the broader cultural and social fragmentation of the time. Okigbo, as a modernist poet, was also influenced by European literary traditions, which is evident in his use of symbolism and complex imagery.

 Conclusion

"Love Apart" by Christopher Okigbo is a poignant exploration of the themes of love and separation. Through rich imagery and carefully chosen diction, Okigbo conveys the emotional distance between lovers, using the natural world as a metaphor for their estrangement. The poem's melancholic tone and reflective mood invite readers to consider the nature of love and the inevitable challenges that come with it. The title encapsulates the essence of the poem, highlighting the painful reality of love that is distant or unfulfilled.