Anacrusis

The word Anacrusis originates from Greek language, meaning the beginning of a tune to strike up a song. In the poem Anacrusis, the poet has such an obsession for this woman; it can be compared to someone having an obsession for music. Like the beginning of a song, he hopes to start up a relationship with this mesmerizing woman. The writer feels the music in his heart when he sees her. In return, she, as well, lives to the beat of a tune. The poet describes the time “after tennis but before Brahms” (Anacrusis l. 3) There is a man with the woman that he lurks. He wants to know if the man the woman is with really cares for her by asking her “does he hold you in his eyes, or in his arms or both? I know it isn’t my affair.” (Anacrusis ll. 4, 5) The poet doesn’t really know her, but he wants to know her. The poet can barely describe how she makes him feel something deep down in his soul. He gives the impression that he has known the woman for quite awhile, but only from a distance. The poet tells the reader that she is a musician and a tennis player through the phrases in the poem, (Anacrusis l. 3) and that she has a man to whom she is very close. As Anacrusis lets us know what song is being played, the man is briefly getting to know the woman and waiting for the rest of the song to play.

The poet, Joseph P. Schechter seems to gaze upon his enchanting mistress, but does not know of her name, or even of her voice. He speaks of her soul as though he has known her before. “Your soul’s strands assert perfections time.” (Anacrusis l. 11) Her soul is perfect to him; time goes by more pleasantly when she is around. The poet mentions her soul often in the poem. He writes about her “souls music” (Anacrusis l. 22) as though he can read her mind, and he knows her thoughts, beliefs interests and ideas. The poet speaks as though he is the only one that can see right through this woman, as if he knows the real her. She lives by the beat of a tune, and music is in her...