During the course of John Donne's life he went through two life stages: the period where he was a wild, fun-loving man; and the second, where he was a well-known, respected man of the church, making him quite the opposite of his former years. Throughout his life he continued to write poetry. Through his poetry the reader can distinguish which phase of John's life he is enduring. The poetry he is most renowned for is metaphysical poetry. Metaphysical simply means beyond the ordinary. John used this method of poetry to express his love for his wife Anne. John believed that his relationship with Anne had a love that was beyond all simple sublunary lovers, simply meaning that their love was beyond anything any one under the moon would ever experience. In the poem "Present in Absence" John uses his words to express his metaphysical love for Anne as he leaves for one of his many business trips.
             For the poem "Present in Absence" the title can define the entire tone of the poem itself; Present, meaning being in one place and Absence meaning not being there. The thought of being in one place, but subconsciously being in another, brings about the thought of metaphysical.
             During the course of the first stanza, John argues with his own absence. "Absence, hear thou my protestation/Against my strength/ distance, and length (1-2)" is stating for absence to hear his protests and to listen to reason, against his strength and his distance he is traveling. John wants his Absence to hear his cries of protest, but John knows that time will settle any wounds that arise from his leaving.
             During the second and third stanza John states his concern for his dearest wife Anne. John is worried of her sadness while he is gone. As John goes on about things, the thought of the love he and Anne share is brought up. When John realizes that they do have a metaphysical love that surpasses all of the dull su...