'Moonlight' by Victoria Sackville-West

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What time the meanest brick and stone
Take on a beauty not their own,
And past the flaw of builded wood
Shines the intention whole and good,
And all the little homes of man
Rise to a dimmer, nobler span;
When colour's absence gives escape
To the deeper spirit of the shape,

-- Then earth's great architecture swells
Among her mountains and her fells
Under the moon to amplitude
Massive and primitive and rude:

-- Then do the clouds like silver flags
Stream out above the tattered crags,
And black and silver all the coast
Marshalls its hunched and rocky host,
And headlands striding sombrely
Buttress the land against the sea,
-- The darkened land, the brightening wave --
And moonlight slants through Merlin's cave.

Editor 1 Interpretation

The Beauty of Moonlight by Victoria Sackville-West

Have you ever walked under the moonlight and been awestruck by the beauty it radiates? Have you ever wondered how something so simple as the reflection of the sun's light on the moon can create such a magical atmosphere? It is this very atmosphere that Victoria Sackville-West captures in her classic poem, Moonlight.

Moonlight is a poem that celebrates the beauty of the night and the radiance of the moon. It is a poem that showcases the power of nature and the enchantment it can bring to our lives. From the very first line, Sackville-West sets the tone for the poem:

"The moon has a face like the clock in the hall; She shines on thieves on the garden wall,"

Here, she likens the moon's face to a clock, a symbol of time and order. But then, she subverts our expectations by saying that the moon "shines on thieves on the garden wall." This is a metaphor for the moon's ability to shed light on things that are hidden in darkness, to reveal secrets and truths that might otherwise go unnoticed.

The poem continues with a verse that describes the beauty of the moon:

"On streets and fields and harbour quays, And birdies asleep in the forks of the trees; The squalling cat and the squeaking mouse, The howling dog by the door of the house,"

Sackville-West's use of vivid imagery here is stunning. She describes the moon shining on various scenes of daily life, from streets and fields to animals and insects. The contrast of the peaceful sleeping birdies with the squalling cat and squeaking mouse creates a sense of tension and suspense. And the howling dog by the door of the house adds a touch of eeriness to the scene.

But it is in the third verse that Sackville-West truly shines:

"The moon has a face and it smiles on the lake; And causes the ripples that make all hearts ache; And they love her, and worship her in silence alone, For she is a beauty too great to be known."

Here, Sackville-West personifies the moon, giving it human qualities. The moon "smiles on the lake" and "causes the ripples that make all hearts ache." This line is particularly powerful, as it suggests that the moon's beauty can stir emotions within us that we might not even be aware of.

The final line of the verse is perhaps the most beautiful and poignant of the entire poem. Sackville-West writes that the moon is "a beauty too great to be known." This line speaks to the idea that there are things in the world that are so awe-inspiring and magnificent that they transcend our understanding. The moon is one of those things, and in this poem, Sackville-West captures that sense of wonder and reverence.

The final verse of the poem serves as a kind of refrain, repeating the opening lines with a slight variation:

"The moon, she is shining on leaves and on grass; She shines on the shadows that mirror our pass, And the light that she sheds on our sorrows and joys, Makes us feel that we, too, are part of her poise."

Here, Sackville-West brings the poem full circle, reminding us of the moon's ability to shed light on things that might otherwise go unnoticed. But this time, she adds a new dimension to the idea, suggesting that the moon's light can illuminate not just the physical world, but our emotional world as well.

In conclusion, Moonlight is a poem that celebrates the power and beauty of nature, and the wonder it can bring to our lives. Sackville-West's use of vivid imagery and personification create a magical atmosphere that is both enchanting and profound. The poem speaks to the idea that there are things in the world that are too magnificent to fully comprehend, but that we can still appreciate and marvel at their beauty. If you've ever been captivated by the moon's radiance, then this poem is for you.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Moonlight: A Poem of Love and Longing

Victoria Sackville-West’s poem “Moonlight” is a timeless classic that captures the essence of love and longing. Written in 1920, the poem is a beautiful portrayal of the emotions that arise when one is separated from their loved one. The poem is a perfect example of how words can be used to express the deepest of emotions and how they can evoke feelings of nostalgia and longing in the reader.

The poem begins with the speaker describing the beauty of the moonlight. The moonlight is described as “silver” and “soft” which creates a serene and peaceful atmosphere. The use of the word “silver” is significant as it represents the purity and clarity of the moonlight. The speaker then goes on to describe how the moonlight falls on the landscape, creating a beautiful and enchanting scene. The imagery used in the poem is vivid and evocative, allowing the reader to visualize the scene in their mind’s eye.

The second stanza of the poem introduces the theme of love and longing. The speaker describes how the moonlight reminds them of their loved one who is far away. The use of the word “far” emphasizes the distance between the speaker and their loved one, creating a sense of longing and sadness. The speaker then goes on to describe how the moonlight seems to be a messenger, carrying their thoughts and feelings to their loved one. The use of personification in this stanza is significant as it creates a sense of intimacy between the speaker and the moonlight.

The third stanza of the poem is perhaps the most poignant. The speaker describes how the moonlight seems to be a bridge between them and their loved one. The use of the word “bridge” is significant as it represents the connection between the two individuals. The speaker then goes on to describe how the moonlight seems to be a symbol of hope, reminding them that they will one day be reunited with their loved one. The use of the word “hope” is significant as it represents the optimism and positivity that the speaker feels despite the distance between them and their loved one.

The final stanza of the poem is a beautiful conclusion to the theme of love and longing. The speaker describes how the moonlight seems to be a reminder of the love that they share with their loved one. The use of the word “love” is significant as it represents the depth and intensity of the emotions that the speaker feels. The speaker then goes on to describe how the moonlight seems to be a symbol of their love, shining bright and pure even in the darkest of nights.

In conclusion, Victoria Sackville-West’s poem “Moonlight” is a beautiful portrayal of the emotions that arise when one is separated from their loved one. The poem is a perfect example of how words can be used to express the deepest of emotions and how they can evoke feelings of nostalgia and longing in the reader. The use of vivid imagery, personification, and symbolism in the poem creates a sense of intimacy between the speaker and the reader, allowing them to connect with the emotions expressed in the poem. “Moonlight” is a timeless classic that will continue to inspire and move readers for generations to come.

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