Poem Analysis Help- Li Young Lee "This room and everything in it"?

Question

I know that he works with memory and I understand the basic concept of the poem. But im having a hard time understanding what he means in each part.. If anyone could just help me look a little more into in, maybe shine light on some things, it would help so much. I cant seem to find any help with analysis online.


This Room And Everything In It


Lie still now
while I prepare for my future,
certain hard days ahead,
when I'll need what I know so clearly this moment.

I am making use
of the one thing I learned
of all the things my father tried to teach me:
the art of memory.

I am letting this room
and everything in it
stand for my ideas about love
and its difficulties.

I'll let your love-cries,
those spacious notes
of a moment ago,
stand for distance.

Your scent,
that scent
of spice and a wound,
I'll let stand for mystery.

Your sunken belly
is the daily cup
of milk I drank
as a boy before morning prayer.

Answer 1

Best Answer - Chosen by Voters

I think he is talking about the person he loves, love is beautiful but also hard. he is preparing for what is about to come, he knows hard time will actually come and he knows he will need to remember the love he feels at this moment in order to be able to face them. He has to remember everything he was thought in his childhood, everything a father can teach a son hard work, strength etc. Love may be hard but it is also refreshing (Your sunken belly
is the daily cup
of milk I drank
as a boy before morning prayer.)