The Fist by Derek Walcott

 This poem by Derek Walcott first caught my attention by the title. I assumed that this poem would be about a fight or an argument between two people, or two opposing sides. After reading the poem, it was much about something much different than I had originally assumed, it was about love. I believe the poem talks about someone who loosens their grip on someone they love. They don't fully let go, but they let go enough to have the individual realize that they will not always be there. They then tighten up their grip on the heart again and the individual feels just as loved as before. They then think "when have I ever not loved the pain of love?" (Derek Wilcott, The Fist). The pain of love will drive someone crazy is what the poem is saying. Someone who is in love will love the feeling of being in love. Someone who loves the feeling of love is crazy and is on the edge of mania due to the effect of love. You want to hold onto this feeling of love because it is the only way you know for sure that you are alive. It gives you a feeling of attention and being wanted. When you lose that just a little bit you feel as though something is missing from you. So you have to hold that feeling of love tightly so feel alive. 

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