'Poetry And Religion' by Les Murray
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Religions are poems. They concert
our daylight and dreaming mind, our
emotions, instinct, breath and native gesture
into the only whole thinking: poetry.
Nothing's said till it's dreamed out in words
and nothing's true that figures in words only.
A poem, compared with an arrayed religion,
may be like a soldier's one short marriage night
to die and live by. But that is a small religion.
Full religion is the large poem in loving repetition;
like any poem, it must be inexhaustible and complete
with turns where we ask Now why did the poet do that?
You can't pray a lie, said Huckleberry Finn;
you can't poe one either. It is the same mirror:
mobile, glancing, we call it poetry,
fixed centrally, we call it a religion,
and God is the poetry caught in any religion,
caught, not imprisoned. Caught as in a mirror
that he attracted, being in the world as poetry
is in the poem, a law against its closure.
There'll always be religion around while there is poetry
or a lack of it. Both are given, and intermittent,
as the action of those birds - crested pigeon, rosella parrot -
who fly with wings shut, then beating, and again shut.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Poetry And Religion: A Masterpiece by Les Murray
Poetry And Religion is a masterpiece written by the Australian poet Les Murray. The poem is a celebration of the intersection between poetry and religion, and the way they complement each other. It explores the idea that poetry and religion are both ways of accessing a deeper truth, and that they both have the power to transform us.
The Form and Structure of the Poem
Poetry And Religion is a highly structured poem, with a clear and distinct form. It is written in free verse, but it has a strong rhythm and a consistent metre. The poem is divided into six stanzas of varying lengths, each of which explores a different aspect of the relationship between poetry and religion.
The first stanza sets the tone for the poem and introduces its central themes. It begins with the line "Poetry and religion are sisters," which establishes the idea that poetry and religion are intimately connected. The rest of the stanza explores the idea that both poetry and religion are ways of accessing a deeper truth.
The second stanza explores the idea that poetry and religion are both ways of communicating with the divine. It draws a parallel between the poet and the priest, suggesting that both have the power to mediate between the divine and the human.
The third stanza explores the idea that poetry and religion are both ways of exploring the mysteries of existence. It suggests that both poetry and religion are ways of grappling with the big questions of life, such as the meaning of existence and the nature of the divine.
The fourth stanza explores the idea that poetry and religion are both ways of accessing the transcendent. It suggests that both poetry and religion have the power to lift us out of ourselves and transport us to a higher realm.
The fifth stanza explores the idea that poetry and religion are both ways of transforming us. It suggests that both poetry and religion have the power to change us, to make us better people, and to help us connect with others.
The final stanza brings the poem full circle, returning to the idea that poetry and religion are sisters. It suggests that both poetry and religion are essential ways of accessing the deeper truths of existence.
The Themes of the Poem
The central theme of Poetry And Religion is the relationship between poetry and religion. The poem explores the idea that poetry and religion are intimately connected, and that they both have the power to transform us.
One of the key themes of the poem is the idea that poetry and religion are both ways of accessing a deeper truth. The poem suggests that both poetry and religion have the power to reveal truths about ourselves and the world around us that we might not otherwise be able to see.
Another theme of the poem is the idea that poetry and religion are both ways of accessing the transcendent. The poem suggests that both poetry and religion have the power to lift us out of ourselves and connect us with something greater than ourselves.
A third theme of the poem is the idea that poetry and religion are both ways of transforming us. The poem suggests that both poetry and religion have the power to change us, to make us better people, and to help us connect with others.
The Language and Style of the Poem
The language and style of Poetry And Religion are highly evocative and emotive. The poem is written in a highly stylized form of free verse, with a strong rhythm and a consistent metre. The language is rich and vivid, with a strong focus on imagery and metaphor.
One of the most striking features of the poem is its use of religious imagery and language. The poem draws heavily on the language and imagery of Christianity, with references to the Eucharist, the cross, and the resurrection. This use of religious language helps to reinforce the central theme of the poem, which is the relationship between poetry and religion.
Another striking feature of the poem is its use of metaphor. The poem draws on a wide range of metaphors to explore its central themes, from the metaphor of the poet as priest to the metaphor of poetry as a ladder to the divine. These metaphors help to create a rich and complex web of meaning, which invites the reader to explore the poem in depth.
The Interpretation of the Poem
Poetry And Religion is a rich and complex poem that invites a wide range of interpretations. At its heart, the poem is an exploration of the relationship between poetry and religion, and the way they complement each other.
One interpretation of the poem is that it is an argument for the essential unity of poetry and religion. The poem suggests that both poetry and religion are ways of accessing the deeper truths of existence, and that they both have the power to transform us. By drawing on the language and imagery of Christianity, the poem suggests that poetry and religion are part of a broader spiritual tradition that transcends individual belief systems.
Another interpretation of the poem is that it is a celebration of the transcendent power of poetry. The poem suggests that poetry has the power to lift us out of ourselves and connect us with something greater than ourselves. By drawing on metaphors such as the ladder to the divine, the poem suggests that poetry can help us to access a higher realm of existence.
A third interpretation of the poem is that it is a call to action. The poem suggests that both poetry and religion have the power to transform us, and that they can help us to connect with others and make the world a better place. By drawing on the metaphor of the poet as priest, the poem suggests that poets have a responsibility to use their art to promote social justice and human flourishing.
The Significance of the Poem
Poetry And Religion is a significant poem for a number of reasons. First and foremost, it is a powerful celebration of the essential unity of poetry and religion, and the way they complement each other. By drawing on the language and imagery of Christianity, the poem suggests that poetry and religion are part of a broader spiritual tradition that transcends individual belief systems.
Secondly, Poetry And Religion is significant because it is a powerful celebration of the transcendent power of poetry. The poem suggests that poetry has the power to lift us out of ourselves and connect us with something greater than ourselves. This is a powerful message in a world that often values material success over spiritual fulfilment.
Finally, Poetry And Religion is significant because it is a call to action. The poem suggests that both poetry and religion have the power to transform us, and that they can help us to connect with others and make the world a better place. This is a powerful message in a world that is facing many social and economic challenges.
Conclusion
Poetry And Religion is a masterpiece by Les Murray that celebrates the essential unity of poetry and religion, and the way they complement each other. The poem is a powerful celebration of the transcendent power of poetry, and a call to action for poets to use their art to promote social justice and human flourishing. It is a significant poem that has the power to inspire and transform readers, and it is a testament to the enduring power of poetry as a medium of expression and transformation.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry And Religion: A Masterpiece by Les Murray
Les Murray, the renowned Australian poet, has left an indelible mark on the world of literature with his exceptional works. One of his most celebrated poems is "Poetry And Religion," which delves into the relationship between poetry and religion. This masterpiece is a thought-provoking and insightful piece that explores the similarities and differences between these two seemingly distinct fields.
The poem begins with a simple yet profound statement, "Religions are poems." This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as it establishes the connection between religion and poetry. Murray suggests that both religion and poetry are forms of expression that seek to convey a deeper meaning and understanding of the world around us. They both use language to create a sense of wonder and awe, and to inspire us to look beyond the surface of things.
Murray goes on to explore the ways in which religion and poetry differ. He notes that while religion seeks to provide answers to life's big questions, poetry is more concerned with asking those questions. Religion offers a set of beliefs and practices that provide a framework for understanding the world, while poetry encourages us to question and challenge those beliefs.
Despite these differences, Murray suggests that there is a deep connection between poetry and religion. He notes that both seek to connect us to something greater than ourselves, whether it be a higher power or the beauty of the natural world. Both offer a sense of transcendence that can lift us out of our everyday lives and into a realm of deeper meaning and understanding.
One of the most striking aspects of "Poetry And Religion" is the way in which Murray uses language to convey his ideas. His use of metaphor and imagery is particularly powerful, as he draws on the natural world to illustrate his points. For example, he describes religion as "the great boulder in the stream," suggesting that it provides a stable foundation for our lives. Poetry, on the other hand, is "the stream itself," constantly flowing and changing, always seeking new paths and directions.
Murray also uses language to explore the emotional impact of both religion and poetry. He notes that both can inspire feelings of awe and wonder, but that they can also be sources of fear and anxiety. Religion, for example, can be a source of comfort and solace, but it can also be a source of guilt and shame. Poetry, similarly, can be a source of inspiration and beauty, but it can also be a source of confusion and uncertainty.
Ultimately, Murray suggests that both poetry and religion are essential to our lives. They offer us different ways of understanding and engaging with the world, and they both have the power to move us deeply. Whether we find meaning in the rituals and traditions of religion or in the beauty and complexity of poetry, both offer us a way of connecting to something greater than ourselves.
In conclusion, "Poetry And Religion" is a masterful exploration of the relationship between these two important fields. Les Murray's use of language and imagery is both powerful and evocative, and his insights into the emotional impact of both religion and poetry are profound. This poem is a testament to the power of language to inspire and move us, and it is a reminder of the importance of both religion and poetry in our lives.
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