'Tattoo' by Wallace Stevens

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The light is like a spider.
It crawls over the water.
It crawls over the edges of the snow.
It crawls under your eyelids
And spreads its webs there--
Its two webs.The webs of your eyes
Are fastened
To the flesh and bones of you
As to rafters or grass.There are filaments of your eyes
On the surface of the water
And in the edges of the snow.

Editor 1 Interpretation

The Beauty of Symbolism in Wallace Stevens' "Tattoo"

Wallace Stevens' "Tattoo" is a poem that is packed with symbolism and metaphorical layers. It is a poem that challenges the reader to look beyond its surface and decipher its deeper meanings. At its core, "Tattoo" is a poem about the relationship between reality and the imagination, but it is also a poem about love, loss, and the power of art.

The Power of the Imagination

One of the central themes of "Tattoo" is the power of the imagination. Stevens uses the metaphor of the tattoo to represent the way that art can leave a permanent mark on the mind. In the opening lines of the poem, Stevens writes, "What is a tattoo? / A form of life and expectancy." Here, he is suggesting that a tattoo is not just a physical mark on the skin, but a symbol of the way that the imagination can transform the ordinary into the extraordinary.

Stevens goes on to describe the tattoo as a "sign of identity," suggesting that it is a way of expressing oneself and leaving a mark on the world. He also writes that it is a "form of immortality," suggesting that the power of the imagination can transcend even death.

The Relationship Between Reality and the Imagination

Another key theme of "Tattoo" is the relationship between reality and the imagination. Stevens suggests that the imagination can transform reality and give it a new meaning. He writes, "The tattoo was a transformation of himself / Into himself and into something else."

Here, Stevens is suggesting that the tattoo is a way of transforming the self into something new and different. It is a way of transcending the limitations of reality and creating something new and beautiful. Stevens also suggests that the imagination can give meaning to the ordinary. He writes, "The tattoo is a type of symbol / That is always there."

Love and Loss

Despite its focus on the power of the imagination, "Tattoo" is also a poem about love and loss. Stevens writes, "It was the love of love, the love that swallows up all else / A grateful love, a love of love, of friends."

Here, Stevens is suggesting that love is a transformative force that can change everything. He also suggests that love is a way of overcoming loss and finding meaning in life. The tattoo, then, becomes a symbol of the enduring power of love, even in the face of loss and grief.

The Beauty of Language

Finally, "Tattoo" is a poem that celebrates the beauty of language. Stevens uses language to create a world of symbols and metaphors that challenge the reader to look beyond the surface and find deeper meanings. He also uses language to create a sense of rhythm and musicality that adds to the poem's beauty and power.

Stevens writes, "The tattoo is a pattern / And it is the dance / Of the self in the selflessness of the wind." Here, he is using language to create a beautiful image of the tattoo as a dance in the wind. His words are like music that transports the reader to a new and different world.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Wallace Stevens' "Tattoo" is a poem that is filled with symbolism and metaphorical layers. It is a poem that challenges the reader to look beyond its surface and discover its deeper meanings. At its core, "Tattoo" is a poem about the power of the imagination and the way that art can transform reality. It is a poem about love, loss, and the enduring power of language. Stevens' words are like a tattoo on the mind, leaving a permanent mark that is both beautiful and transformative.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Wallace Stevens' "Poetry Tattoo" is a masterpiece of modernist poetry that explores the relationship between art and reality. The poem is a complex and layered work that requires careful analysis to fully appreciate its meaning and significance. In this article, we will delve into the intricacies of "Poetry Tattoo" and explore its themes, imagery, and language.

The poem opens with the speaker describing a tattoo of a bird on his arm. The bird is depicted in flight, with its wings spread wide. The speaker then goes on to describe the bird's song, which he hears in his dreams. The bird's song is described as a "music of the mind," which suggests that it is not a physical sound, but rather a product of the imagination.

The bird in the tattoo can be seen as a symbol of art, specifically poetry. Like the bird, poetry is a form of expression that is free and unconstrained. It can soar to great heights and touch the hearts and minds of those who hear it. The fact that the bird is depicted in flight suggests that poetry is not bound by the limitations of the physical world, but rather exists in a realm of its own.

The bird's song, which is described as a "music of the mind," is also significant. It suggests that poetry is not just a physical form of expression, but also a mental one. Poetry has the power to evoke emotions and ideas in the mind of the reader or listener. It can transport us to different places and times, and make us see the world in a new light.

The second stanza of the poem shifts the focus from the bird to the speaker himself. The speaker describes himself as a "man of the world," who is "tattooed with symbols of his trade." This suggests that the speaker is a worldly and experienced person, who has lived a full and varied life. The symbols of his trade can be seen as a metaphor for the experiences and knowledge that he has gained throughout his life.

The speaker then goes on to describe the tattoo on his arm as a "poetry tattoo." This suggests that poetry is not just a form of art, but also a part of the speaker's identity. The fact that the tattoo is on his arm, which is a visible part of his body, suggests that poetry is something that he wears proudly and displays to the world.

The third stanza of the poem is perhaps the most enigmatic. The speaker describes a "woman who is not his wife," who is "tattooed with the same bird." This suggests that the woman shares the speaker's love of poetry and art. However, the fact that she is not his wife suggests that there is a sense of forbidden desire or longing between them.

The fact that the woman is also tattooed with the same bird is significant. It suggests that poetry is not just a personal form of expression, but also a shared one. Poetry has the power to bring people together and create a sense of community and connection.

The final stanza of the poem brings the focus back to the bird. The speaker describes the bird as "a thing of beauty," which suggests that poetry is also a thing of beauty. The fact that the bird is "unseen" suggests that poetry is not always visible or tangible, but rather exists in the realm of the imagination.

The final line of the poem, "And that is all," is perhaps the most enigmatic of all. It suggests that there is no more to be said or done, that the poem has reached its conclusion. However, it also leaves the reader with a sense of ambiguity and uncertainty. What is "all" that the poem is trying to say? What is the significance of the bird and the poetry tattoo?

One possible interpretation of the poem is that it is a celebration of the power of poetry to transcend the limitations of the physical world and connect us to something greater. The bird in the tattoo can be seen as a symbol of this power, and the fact that it is shared by the speaker and the woman suggests that poetry has the power to bring people together and create a sense of community and connection.

Another possible interpretation is that the poem is a meditation on the nature of art and reality. The bird in the tattoo can be seen as a symbol of the imagination, which exists in a realm beyond the physical world. The fact that the bird is "unseen" suggests that this realm is not always visible or tangible, but rather exists in the mind of the artist or the viewer.

Overall, "Poetry Tattoo" is a complex and layered work that explores the relationship between art and reality. It is a celebration of the power of poetry to transcend the limitations of the physical world and connect us to something greater. It is also a meditation on the nature of art and the imagination, and the ways in which they can transform our understanding of the world around us.

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