John Donne (24 January 1572 - 31 March 1631 / London, England)

What Donne elevates in this poem is the marriage of true minds. A relationship based on sensual attraction is vulnerable to absence, but a relationship based on a love which is not dependent on the senses is stronger. What a pity that those who give such a poem low marks cannot be asked to justify themselves.

Though the distance away from one another seems surmountable and the speaker - due to the gravity of the beloved - ends where I begun, isn't it sad that carrying out the full conceit means the two lovers will never meet? The speaker relies on the beloved for a reference point, but as a compass, they will act like repelling magnets, influencing each other's movements but never touching.: (

One of the masterworks of English poetry, the epitome of the metaphysical style. Period.

Why can't I print this poem?

Metaphysical poems of John Donne are well known in literary circle. The imagery of compass expressing the idea of two lovers in union is wonderful indeed!

I remember first reading JD and, without understanding fully what I was reading, becoming transfixed by the poetry. My first league poets are Shakespeare, Donne and Blake.

I just love Donne'/s style of writing... this poem is amazing.

A beautiful, soulful, spiritual poem full of truth that is not often acknowledged. So thought provoking.

I think this beautiful poem is very sad.
When the spiritual and the physical join,
that is sustenance, the perfect golden circle.

This poem is beautifuly written. Donnes idea of love on a spiritual level rather than on a physical one is an idea that I feel should be shared with the world.