There was a Birth, certainly, We had evidence and no doubt. I had seen birth and death, But had thought they were different; this Birth was Hard and bitter agony for us, like Death, our death.

The Paradox of Birth and Death

The central tension in these lines resides in the juxtaposition of ‘birth’ and ‘death’. Traditionally, these are considered opposing forces, representing the beginning and end of life respectively. The poet, however, collapses this binary, asserting that this particular birth felt indistinguishable from a loss. The repetition of “death, our death” emphasizes the profound sense of grief and perhaps even a feeling of personal demise experienced by the speaker.

Possible Interpretations

Trauma and Difficult Birth

One interpretation centers on the physical and emotional trauma associated with childbirth. A difficult labor, marked by intense pain and potential complications, could understandably feel like a near-death experience for both mother and child. The “hard and bitter agony” vividly conveys the physical suffering involved. The use of “our death” suggests a shared experience of pain and vulnerability, potentially extending to the child as well.

Loss and Ambivalence

Another reading suggests a deeper psychological complexity. The birth might be linked to a prior loss, or the arrival of the child might be accompanied by feelings of ambivalence or regret. Perhaps the birth represents a new responsibility that feels overwhelming, or a reminder of something lost. The “bitter agony” could stem from these emotional burdens rather than solely from physical pain.

Symbolic Rebirth and Sacrifice

It’s also possible to interpret the birth symbolically. The “death” could represent the death of a former self, a sacrifice made to accommodate the new life. The speaker might be mourning the loss of their previous identity or lifestyle. This interpretation aligns with the idea of birth as a transformative process that necessitates letting go of the old to embrace the new.

Poetic Effect and Language

The power of these lines lies in their stark simplicity and emotional intensity. The short, declarative sentences create a sense of immediacy and urgency. The use of concrete language – “birth,” “death,” “agony” – grounds the abstract concepts in visceral experience. The repetition of “death” reinforces the overwhelming sense of loss and despair. The lack of specific context adds to the poem’s ambiguity, allowing for multiple interpretations.

The phrase "We had evidence and no doubt" suggests a factual, undeniable experience, yet the emotional response is anything but straightforward. This contrast heightens the poem’s impact and forces the reader to confront the unsettling paradox at its core.