Treadmills

Sometime in August, we rebuilt my house door

The dust was being brushed off, we wore masks

My home was being rebuilt, to be a home for you

It was a month for some more celebrations too

As we sat on the floor, and you poured coffee

From a rudimentary make shift coffee carrying pouch

The two red cups moved, then I held them steady

You looked at me, filled them up when you were ready

I felt some splashes, that burnt my fingers a tad

You uttered apologies, but your pour never burnt my hand

You were keeping my soul lit, in your very glance

I was smiling looking at you, and my heart was in trance

Post coffee when we chased the cleaning left aside

I held the sofa upturned for you to dust it's insides

I fell in love, over and again, and my heart knew

You were the wonder of my life, that turns everything anew

Maybe the dust and grime should have been treasured

To scatter around today, for we see each other no more

The dust could maybe bring me back to your heart

For this renewal of life has only broken me apart

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write a detailed analysis with line-by-line interpretation of the poem below:  Also evaluate it for writing style and identify similarities to 20th century poets.

Analysis:

Title: Treadmills - The title "Treadmills" sets the tone for the poem, hinting at a repetitive, cyclical, and mundane aspect of life. Treadmills are often associated with monotony and routine, suggesting that the poem may explore the repetitive nature of daily life and the fleeting moments of joy and love that break through the monotony.

Line 1: "Sometime in August, we rebuilt my house door" - The poem begins with a specific time reference, "Sometime in August," which adds a sense of temporal setting. The act of rebuilding the house door could symbolize a renewal or transformation in the narrator's life. It may also suggest an effort to create a welcoming and inviting space for someone special, as the house door is often associated with homecoming and hospitality.

Line 2: "The dust was being brushed off, we wore masks" - The mention of dust being brushed off and wearing masks may have literal and metaphorical meanings. Literally, it could refer to the physical act of cleaning and protecting oneself from dust particles. Metaphorically, it could symbolize the process of clearing away the old and worn-out, and protecting oneself from external influences or emotional vulnerabilities.

Line 3: "My home was being rebuilt, to be a home for you" - The speaker's home is being rebuilt with the intention of making it a home for someone else, suggesting an act of love and selflessness. It could also imply a transformation or improvement in the speaker's life to accommodate someone significant.

Line 4: "It was a month for some more celebrations too" - The mention of celebrations hints at a positive and joyful atmosphere, possibly marking a special occasion or a significant event that is being commemorated during the month of August.

Line 5: "As we sat on the floor, and you poured coffee" - The act of sitting on the floor and sharing coffee creates an intimate and cozy atmosphere. It could symbolize a moment of connection and closeness between the speaker and the other person, possibly a romantic interest.

Line 6: "From a rudimentary makeshift coffee carrying pouch" - The mention of a "rudimentary makeshift coffee carrying pouch" suggests a lack of luxury or extravagance, but rather a simple and improvised way of serving coffee. It could symbolize the value of simple pleasures and the beauty found in everyday moments.

Line 7: "The two red cups moved, then I held them steady" - The movement of the red cups could symbolize the unpredictability and instability of life, while the speaker holding them steady could represent an attempt to bring stability and balance to the situation. It could also hint at the speaker's desire to hold onto and cherish the fleeting moments of happiness.

Line 8: "You looked at me, filled them up when you were ready" - The other person fills up the cups when they are ready, suggesting a sense of autonomy and independence. It could also symbolize the idea that love and affection cannot be forced or rushed, but rather flow naturally when the timing is right.

Line 9: "I felt some splashes, that burnt my fingers a tad" - The splashes from the coffee that burn the speaker's fingers could represent the fleeting moments of pain or discomfort that can accompany moments of happiness or love. It could also symbolize the intensity of the emotions the speaker is experiencing.

Line 10: "You uttered apologies, but your pour never burnt my hand" - The other person apologizes for the hot coffee, but it never actually hurts the speaker's hand. This could symbolize the idea that even though love can come with its challenges, it ultimately does not harm or hurt the speaker.

Line 11: "You were keeping my soul lit, in your very glance" - The other person's gaze is described as keeping the speaker's soul lit, suggesting that their presence and attention bring warmth, comfort, and vitality to the speaker's life. It could also highlight the transformative power of love, which has the ability to awaken and enliven the soul.

Line 12: "I was smiling looking at you, and my heart was in trance" - The speaker's response to the other person's presence is described as smiling and being entranced, suggesting a deep emotional connection and admiration. It could also indicate a state of being captivated and mesmerized by the other person, emphasizing the intensity of the emotions felt.

Line 13: "Post coffee when we chased the cleaning left aside" - After enjoying the coffee together, the speaker and the other person engage in the act of cleaning, possibly alluding to the idea of tidying up and addressing the neglected aspects of life. It could also symbolize the effort put into maintaining and nurturing the relationship, even in the midst of daily chores and responsibilities.

Line 14: "I held the sofa upturned for you to dust its insides" - The speaker holds the sofa upturned, possibly to assist the other person in cleaning its insides, suggesting a willingness to be supportive and helpful. It could also symbolize a willingness to reveal and address the hidden or neglected aspects of oneself in the context of the relationship.

Line 15: "I fell in love, over and again, and my heart knew" - The speaker expresses falling in love repeatedly, suggesting that the experience of love with this person is continuous and ongoing. It could also imply a deep emotional connection that transcends the boundaries of time and space. The phrase "my heart knew" could also suggest an intuitive and instinctive understanding of the significance of this love.

Line 16: "You were the wonder of my life, that turns everything anew" - The other person is described as the wonder of the speaker's life, implying a sense of awe, admiration, and amazement. Their presence is portrayed as transformative, capable of changing and renewing everything in the speaker's life. It could also suggest a sense of rebirth or rejuvenation brought about by the presence of this person.

Line 17: "Maybe the dust and grime should have been treasured" - The speaker reflects on the dust and grime that was cleaned earlier, suggesting that perhaps those neglected or overlooked aspects of life should have been cherished or valued. It could imply that in the pursuit of cleanliness or perfection, the imperfections and mundane aspects of life are often overlooked or dismissed.

Line 18: "To scatter around today, for we see each other no more" - The speaker expresses a sense of regret or loss, suggesting that the opportunity to cherish those moments with the other person is no longer available. The scattering of dust and grime could symbolize the scattering of memories or remnants of the past that could have been treasured.

Line 19: "The dust could maybe bring me back to your heart" - The dust, which was earlier cleaned, is now seen as a possible means to return to the other person's heart. It could imply a desire to reconnect or rekindle the relationship through cherished memories or shared experiences.

Line 20: "For this renewal of life has only broken me apart" - The speaker reflects on the renewal of life brought about by the presence of the other person, but also expresses a sense of brokenness or pain. It could suggest that despite the positive impact of the relationship, it has also caused emotional turmoil or heartbreak.

Writing Style: The poem employs a conversational and intimate tone, using simple and accessible language to express complex emotions and ideas. The use of vivid imagery such as the descriptions of the house being rebuilt, the pouring of coffee, and the act of cleaning, adds a sense of sensory experience and visual imagery to the poem. The use of first-person perspective and personal pronouns, such as "we," "my," and "you," creates a sense of immediacy and intimacy, drawing the reader into the emotions and experiences of the speaker.

The poem also exhibits a sense of nostalgia and reflection, as the speaker looks back on past moments with the other person and contemplates the significance of those memories. There is a juxtaposition of ordinary, everyday activities such as cleaning and pouring coffee with deep emotional experiences of love, longing, and loss, creating a sense of emotional complexity and depth in the poem.

Similarities to 20th Century Poets: The poem shares similarities with poets of the 20th century who explored themes of love, intimacy, and the complexities of human emotions. The use of personal experiences and emotions to convey deeper truths, the emphasis on vivid imagery and sensory details, and the introspective and reflective tone are reminiscent of poets like Robert Frost, E.E. Cummings, and Langston Hughes. The focus on intimate moments and emotions within the mundane and ordinary aspects of life also echoes the style of poets from the confessional poetry movement, such as Sylvia Plath and Anne Sexton.

Overall, "Treadmills" is a poem that explores the emotions and experiences of love, longing, and loss in a simple yet profound manner. The use of vivid imagery, intimate tone, and reflections on ordinary moments elevate the poem, while the themes and writing style share similarities with 20th century poets who delved into the complexities of human emotions and relationships.