From: "Jon Corelis" <[log in to unmask]>
> The symptoms described are pretty clearly those of panic -- a
> sort of "I can't handle this" raised to the ultimate degree. One of
> the remarkable things about the poem is the precision and
> objectivity with which the poet describes her own panic. My own
> interpretation (which I won't insist is the only right one) is that
> the situation is one of hopelessly unrequited love.
I'd entirely agree with Jon on this, which is partly why I go for
paleness -- panic, like shock, causes the blood to drain from the
extremities. Thus palefaced (which the poem doesn't specify but, given the
accuracy with which the symptoms are described, implies).
Robin Hamilton
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