'To Fly In Just Your Suit' by Les Murray
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Humans are flown, or fall;
humans can't fly.
We're down with the gravity-stemmers,
rare, thick-boned, often basso.
Most animals above the tides are airborne.
Typically tuned keen, they
throw the ground away with wire feet
and swoop rings round it.
Magpies, listening askance
for their food in and under lawn,
strut so hair-trigger they almost
dangle on earth, out of the air.
Nearly anything can make their
tailcoats break into wings.
Anonymous submission.
Editor 1 Interpretation
To Fly In Just Your Suit
Les Murray's "To Fly In Just Your Suit" is a powerful poem that reflects on the human desire for freedom and escape from the constraints of society. The poem is a beautiful and moving tribute to the power of imagination and the human spirit.
Background
Les Murray was an Australian poet, anthologist, and literary critic who was born in Nabiac, New South Wales. He was widely regarded as one of Australia's leading poets and was known for his unique style and themes. Murray's work often explored themes of Australian identity, rural life, and the natural world.
"To Fly In Just Your Suit" was first published in 2006 and is included in Murray's collection, "The Biplane Houses." The poem is a powerful reflection on the human desire for freedom and escape, and it is a testament to Murray's skill as a poet.
Analysis
The poem begins with the speaker describing a man who is "all geared up for flying." The man is wearing a suit and has his "mind right" for the journey ahead. The speaker notes that the man is "happy as a dog with two tails," and this sets the tone for the rest of the poem.
The man in the poem is not actually flying, but he is imagining himself doing so. He is using his imagination to escape from the confines of his everyday life and to experience the freedom that comes with flight.
The second stanza of the poem describes the man's flight. He is soaring over the countryside, and he is "free as the breeze." The speaker notes that the man is "faster than a racehorse," and he is "higher than a kite." The language here is playful and evocative, and it is clear that the man is experiencing a profound sense of freedom and joy.
The third stanza of the poem introduces a new character, a woman who is "distracted by the man's flying." The woman is described as being "as wide as a barn door," and she is "gobsmacked" by the man's flight. The woman's reaction is important because it highlights the power of imagination and the ability of one person's imagination to inspire and captivate others.
The final stanza of the poem brings the reader back to reality. The man has landed, and he is "back to earth." The speaker notes that the man is "smiling to himself," and it is clear that he has had a profound experience.
Interpretation
"To Fly In Just Your Suit" is a deeply moving and powerful poem that speaks to the human desire for freedom and escape. The man in the poem is using his imagination to experience the freedom of flight, and this experience is transformative. The poem suggests that the power of the imagination is limitless and that it can inspire and captivate others.
The woman's reaction to the man's flight is also significant. She is "gobsmacked" by the man's flight, and this suggests that the power of the imagination can have a profound impact on others. The woman's reaction also suggests that the human desire for freedom and escape is universal.
The poem is also a tribute to the power of nature. The man in the poem is soaring over the countryside, and he is "free as the breeze." This suggests that nature has the power to inspire and uplift us and that it can provide a sense of freedom and escape.
Conclusion
"To Fly In Just Your Suit" is a beautiful and moving tribute to the power of imagination and the human spirit. The poem speaks to the universal desire for freedom and escape, and it suggests that the power of the imagination is limitless. The poem is a testament to Les Murray's skill as a poet, and it is a powerful reflection on the human experience.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
To Fly In Just Your Suit: A Poetic Journey into the Human Psyche
Les Murray's poem "To Fly In Just Your Suit" is a masterful exploration of the human psyche and our innate desire for freedom and transcendence. Through vivid imagery and powerful metaphors, Murray takes us on a journey of self-discovery and liberation, inviting us to shed our earthly limitations and soar into the infinite expanse of the sky.
The poem begins with a simple yet evocative image: a man standing on a rooftop, dressed in a suit, looking up at the sky. This image immediately sets the tone for the poem, suggesting a sense of longing and yearning for something beyond the mundane realities of everyday life. The man's suit, a symbol of conformity and social convention, contrasts sharply with the vastness and freedom of the sky, hinting at the tension between our desire for security and our thirst for adventure.
As the poem unfolds, Murray delves deeper into this tension, exploring the complex interplay between our innermost desires and the external forces that shape our lives. He speaks of "the weight of the world" that holds us down, the "gravity of our own making" that keeps us tethered to the ground. Yet even as he acknowledges these limitations, he also celebrates the human spirit's irrepressible urge to break free, to "fly in just your suit" and leave behind the constraints of society and convention.
One of the most striking aspects of the poem is its use of metaphor, which allows Murray to convey complex ideas and emotions in a way that is both accessible and profound. For example, he compares the man on the rooftop to a bird, suggesting that our desire to fly is not just a human trait but a fundamental aspect of our nature. He also speaks of "the sky's blue tent," a metaphor that evokes both the beauty and the fragility of the natural world, and the sense of wonder and awe that it inspires in us.
Another powerful metaphor in the poem is the image of the "invisible ladder" that leads to the sky. This ladder represents the path to transcendence, the journey that we must undertake if we are to break free from the limitations of our earthly existence. It is a reminder that the quest for freedom and self-discovery is not an easy one, but one that requires courage, determination, and a willingness to take risks.
Throughout the poem, Murray also explores the theme of identity, suggesting that our desire to fly is intimately connected to our sense of self. He speaks of "the person you are" and "the person you might become," suggesting that our true potential lies not in conforming to society's expectations but in embracing our unique individuality and pursuing our own dreams and passions.
At the same time, Murray also acknowledges the challenges and obstacles that we face on this journey of self-discovery. He speaks of "the wind's treachery" and "the fear of falling," reminding us that the path to freedom is not without its dangers and uncertainties. Yet even in the face of these challenges, he encourages us to persevere, to keep climbing the invisible ladder and reaching for the sky.
In conclusion, "To Fly In Just Your Suit" is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that speaks to the deepest longings of the human heart. Through its vivid imagery, powerful metaphors, and profound insights into the human psyche, it invites us to explore our own desires for freedom and transcendence, and to embrace the unique individuality that makes us who we are. Whether we are standing on a rooftop, gazing up at the sky, or simply contemplating the mysteries of the universe, this poem reminds us that we are all capable of soaring to great heights, if only we have the courage to spread our wings and fly.
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