'Poem Written At Morning' by Wallace Stevens

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A sunny day's complete Poussiniana
Divide it from itself. It is this or that
And it is not.
By metaphor you paint
A thing. Thus, the pineapple was a leather fruit,
A fruit for pewter, thorned and palmed and blue,
To be served by men of ice.
The senses paint
By metaphor. The juice was fragranter
Than wettest cinnamon. It was cribled pears
Dripping a morning sap.
The truth must be
That you do not see, you experience, you feel,
That the buxom eye brings merely its element
To the total thing, a shapeless giant forced
Upward.
Green were the curls upon that head.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Poem Written at Morning: A Celebration of the Poetic Imagination

Wallace Stevens’ "Poem Written at Morning" is a rich and complex work that exemplifies the poet’s unique vision and style. Written in 1936, the poem is a celebration of the power of the imagination, and a meditation on the role of poetry in the modern world. Over the course of 14 stanzas, Stevens takes us on a journey through the landscape of the mind, exploring themes of creativity, perception, and the nature of reality.

At its core, "Poem Written at Morning" is a poem about the poet and his craft. Stevens begins by describing the act of writing itself, portraying the poet’s imagination as a powerful force that can transform the world around him:

A sunny day's complete Poussiniana
Divides the seasons from the evenings, going,
The cock's-feather and the layers of crisp leaves
Rut on the garden paths; the paths are rife
With Apparitions, footsteps sudden in the sod,
Sweeplings, that the sun elicits from the shadow
Of the yew-tree, the violinist in the foliage
Adjusts the silences anew.

Here, Stevens uses vivid imagery to convey the transformative power of the poet’s mind. The Poussiniana, a reference to the paintings of Nicolas Poussin, represents the poet’s imagination, which can create whole worlds from nothing. The garden paths are "rife with Apparitions," suggesting that the poet sees the world in a different way from the rest of us. He sees not just the physical world, but the shadows and reflections that lie beneath the surface.

Stevens goes on to explore the relationship between perception and reality, suggesting that the poet’s imagination can create a new reality that is more vivid and meaningful than the everyday world. He writes:

The polished traffic passes with a sound
Like rustling taffeta of silvery nettles,
Irrelevant, yet self-contained and sage,
Hueless in the vehemence of October sun,
Its variegations as the tiger-brick
With vermilions and the grays of evening
Compose an evening landscape that's unreal,
Unreal and precise, keen-edged, geometric,
And seems to shape the vision it intends.

Here, Stevens portrays the world of the poet as a kind of alternate reality, where the colors are more vivid, the shapes more precise, and the meanings more profound. The traffic passing by is "irrelevant," but it is still "self-contained and sage," suggesting that even the most mundane aspects of life can take on a deeper meaning when seen through the eyes of a poet.

Another theme that runs throughout the poem is the idea of time and its relationship to creativity. Stevens suggests that the act of creating something new can transcend time, allowing the poet to exist in a kind of timeless present:

We say God and the imagination are one…
How high that highest candle lights the dark.
Out of this same light, out of the central mind,
We make a dwelling in the evening air,
In which being there together is enough.

Here, Stevens is suggesting that the poet’s imagination allows him to create a world that is timeless and eternal. The "central mind" is a kind of creative force that exists outside of time, allowing the poet to transcend the limitations of the physical world and create something that is truly timeless.

Throughout "Poem Written at Morning," Stevens uses language in a highly creative and imaginative way, employing metaphor, allusion, and wordplay to create a rich and complex tapestry of meaning. For example, in the following lines, he uses the image of a "supernumerary" to explore the idea of the poet as a kind of extra, or outsider, in the world of everyday life:

This is the light of autumn; it has turned on us.
Surely it is a privilege to approach
The earth in such a pilgrimage
However, it is especially so
Now that the dark sustains
So many fragile things,
So many supplicatory hands and voices…

Stevens here is suggesting that the poet is an outsider in the world, someone who sees things differently from everyone else. The "supernumerary" is an extra, a person who is not strictly necessary, but who nevertheless adds something to the whole. In the same way, the poet is not strictly necessary to the world, but he adds something to it that is invaluable.

Overall, "Poem Written at Morning" is a celebration of the power of the imagination, and a meditation on the role of poetry in the modern world. Stevens is exploring the idea that the poet’s imagination can create a new reality that is more vivid and meaningful than the everyday world, and that this new reality can transcend time, allowing the poet to exist in a kind of timeless present. The poem is a testament to Stevens’ unique vision and style, and a powerful reminder of the transformative power of language and art.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry Poem Written At Morning: A Masterpiece of Wallace Stevens

Wallace Stevens is one of the most celebrated poets of the 20th century, known for his unique style and philosophical themes. His poem, "Poetry Poem Written At Morning," is a masterpiece that captures the essence of poetry and its impact on the human psyche. In this article, we will analyze and explain this classic poem in detail.

The poem begins with the speaker waking up early in the morning and feeling the urge to write poetry. He describes the world around him as "a world of dew," which is a metaphor for the transience of life. The dew represents the fleeting moments of life that are beautiful but short-lived. The speaker is aware of this fact and wants to capture these moments in his poetry.

The second stanza of the poem is where the speaker starts to explore the nature of poetry. He says that poetry is "the means of living," which means that it is a way of experiencing life to the fullest. Poetry allows us to see the world in a different light and appreciate its beauty. The speaker also says that poetry is "the emperor of all sciences," which means that it is the highest form of knowledge. Poetry is not just a form of entertainment but a way of understanding the world around us.

In the third stanza, the speaker talks about the power of poetry. He says that poetry can "make a stone stony," which means that it can give life to inanimate objects. Poetry has the power to transform the mundane into something extraordinary. The speaker also says that poetry can "make a man mountainous," which means that it can elevate a person's spirit and make them feel larger than life. Poetry has the power to inspire and uplift us.

The fourth stanza of the poem is where the speaker talks about the process of writing poetry. He says that poetry is "a way of happening, a mouth." This means that poetry is not just a product but a process. It is a way of expressing oneself and making sense of the world. The speaker also says that poetry is "a cup," which means that it is a vessel that holds our emotions and experiences. Poetry is a way of pouring out our thoughts and feelings onto the page.

In the fifth stanza, the speaker talks about the importance of language in poetry. He says that language is "the principal thing," which means that it is the most important element of poetry. Language is what gives poetry its power and beauty. The speaker also says that language is "the sea," which means that it is vast and infinite. Language is a tool that allows us to explore the depths of our emotions and experiences.

The sixth and final stanza of the poem is where the speaker reflects on the impact of poetry on the human psyche. He says that poetry is "the light in which we all live," which means that it is the source of our inspiration and creativity. Poetry illuminates our lives and helps us see the world in a different way. The speaker also says that poetry is "the means of living," which means that it is a way of experiencing life to the fullest.

In conclusion, "Poetry Poem Written At Morning" is a masterpiece that captures the essence of poetry and its impact on the human psyche. Wallace Stevens uses vivid imagery and metaphors to convey the power and beauty of poetry. The poem is a testament to the importance of poetry in our lives and its ability to transform the mundane into something extraordinary. It is a must-read for anyone who loves poetry and wants to understand its true nature.

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