With Pale Women in MarylandWith pale women in Maryland,Passing the proud and tragic pastures,And stupefied with loveAnd the stupendous burdens of the foreign trees,As all before us lived, dazedWith overabundant love in the reach of the Chesapeake,Past the tobacco warehouse, through our dark livesLike those before, we move to the death we loveWith pale women in Maryland.
The poem "With Pale Women in Maryland" by Robert Bly paints a vivid picture of a journey through Maryland, evoking feelings of love and burden. The imagery of pale women and the mention of the Chesapeake suggests both beauty and a deep emotional resonance. The reference to the “proud and tragic pastures” indicates a rich history intertwined with personal experiences, hinting at the weight of past lives on the present.
As the speaker reflects on their path, there is a sense of continuity with those who came before them, sharing a commonality of love and struggle. The exploration of dark lives paired with the vividness of nature illustrates the complexity of existence. Ultimately, the poem suggests that, despite the challenges and heaviness, there lies a profound connection with love and life, embodied in the presence of these pale women, which leads them toward their inevitable fate.
