"The Canonization" is a poem written by John Donne in the early 17th century. The poem explores the theme of love and the speaker's desire to be recognized as a true lover by his beloved. Using the New Criticism approach, we can analyze the poem's form, imagery, and tone to understand the deeper meaning behind the words.

The form of the poem is that of a sonnet, a traditional form often used to express love and admiration. The rhyme scheme is abab cdcd efef gg, which creates a sense of symmetry and balance. This structure reinforces the theme of love as something that is perfect and harmonious.

The imagery in the poem is rich and varied, with the speaker using a variety of metaphors to express his feelings. He compares love to a "religion" and refers to himself as a "devotee" of his beloved. This comparison emphasizes the intensity and devotion that the speaker feels towards his beloved. Additionally, he also compares his love to the "war" and "martyrdom" which can be interpreted as love has the power to destroy the speaker emotionally and physically.

The tone of the poem is one of longing and desire. The speaker is yearning to be recognized as a true lover by his beloved. He speaks of the "saints" and "martyrs" of love, suggesting that true love requires sacrifice and devotion. This longing is further reinforced by the use of words such as "worship," "religion," and "devotion."

In conclusion, "The Canonization" is a powerful and moving poem that explores the theme of love through the use of rich imagery, structure and tone. By using the New Criticism approach, we can see that the poem expresses the speaker's intense longing and devotion to his beloved, and his desire to be recognized as a true lover. The use of religious imagery further reinforces this idea and highlights the importance of love in the speaker's life.