'Codicil' by Derek Walcott
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Schizophrenic, wrenched by two styles,
one a hack's hired prose, I earn
me exile. I trudge this sickle, moonlit beach for miles,
tan, burn
to slough off
this live of ocean that's self-love.
To change your language you must change your life.
I cannot right old wrongs.
Waves tire of horizon and return.
Gulls screech with rusty tongues
Above the beached, rotting pirogues,
they were a venomous beaked cloud at Charlotteville.
One I thought love of country was enough,
now, even if I chose, there is no room at the trough.
I watch the best minds rot like dogs
for scraps of flavour.
I am nearing middle
age, burnt skin
peels from my hand like paper, onion-thin,
like Peer Gynt's riddle.
At heart there is nothing, not the dread
of death. I know to many dead.
They're all familiar, all in character,
even how they died. On fire,
the flesh no longer fears that furnace mouth
of earth,
that kiln or ashpit of the sun,
nor this clouding, unclouding sickle moon
withering this beach again like a blank page.
All its indifference is a different rage.
Anonymous submission.
Editor 1 Interpretation
"Codicil" by Derek Walcott: A Deeper Look into the Poet's Mind
Derek Walcott's "Codicil" is a masterful piece of poetry that speaks to the poet's deepest thoughts and feelings. The poem is a reflection on life and death, and the way that these two forces shape our experiences as human beings. Through his skillful use of language and imagery, Walcott takes the reader on a journey that is both introspective and philosophical, leaving us with a greater understanding of our place in the world.
The Power of Nature
At the heart of "Codicil" is the idea that nature is a powerful and uncontrollable force that can shape our lives in unexpected ways. Walcott writes, "in this unleafed orchard of your mind/ [...] you have planted the seeds of your death." Here, the orchard serves as a metaphor for the mind, and the seeds represent the thoughts and experiences that will eventually lead to our demise. The use of the word "unleafed" suggests that this orchard is barren and lifeless, much like the mind of someone who is struggling with the inevitability of their own mortality.
However, throughout the poem, Walcott also emphasizes the beauty and majesty of nature, particularly in its ability to bring us together as human beings. He writes, "the moment when, after many years/ of hard work and a long voyage/ you stand in the centre of your room." Here, the journey and hard work that the speaker has undergone are likened to a voyage, suggesting that our lives are like ships navigating the treacherous waters of existence. Yet, despite the challenges we face, we can find moments of peace and connection with others, represented by the image of standing in the centre of a room.
The Struggle with Mortality
One of the key themes that runs throughout "Codicil" is the struggle that we all face with our own mortality. Walcott writes, "and all that is left of you/ is what is written in the sand." This line suggests that, eventually, everything we do and achieve in life will be washed away by the tide of time, leaving us with nothing but memories and a legacy that may or may not endure.
At the same time, however, Walcott also emphasizes the importance of living in the moment and making the most of the time we have. He writes, "make the day, in spite of its limits/ full to the brim," suggesting that even though our time on earth is limited, we can still make the most of it by living each day to the fullest. This sentiment is echoed in the final lines of the poem, where Walcott writes, "let the day grow on you, upward/ through your feet." Here, the idea is that we should let the beauty and wonder of the world seep into our very being, allowing us to transcend our own mortality and become part of something greater than ourselves.
The Role of Art in Our Lives
Another key theme that runs throughout "Codicil" is the role that art plays in our lives. Walcott is himself a poet, and his use of language in this poem is nothing short of masterful. He writes, "the light flows out, touching everyone,/ transforming and touching everything." Here, the light represents the power of art to transform and touch us, reminding us of our own humanity and the beauty of the world around us.
At the same time, however, Walcott is also acutely aware of the limitations of art. He writes, "what you have caught on film is captured forever;/ it remembers little things, long after you have forgotten everything." While art has the power to capture moments and memories in a way that is both beautiful and eternal, it is ultimately a reflection of our own limitations as human beings. No matter how hard we try, we can never truly capture the fullness and complexity of the human experience in art.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "Codicil" is a remarkable poem that explores some of the deepest questions that we face as human beings. Through his skillful use of language and imagery, Walcott takes us on a journey that is both introspective and philosophical, reminding us of the beauty and complexity of the world around us. Whether we are struggling with our own mortality or seeking to make the most of the time we have, Walcott's words provide us with a powerful and moving reflection on what it means to be alive.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Codicil by Derek Walcott: An Ode to Life and Death
Derek Walcott, the Nobel Prize-winning poet, is known for his ability to capture the essence of life and death in his works. His poem, Codicil, is a masterpiece that explores the themes of mortality, legacy, and the inevitability of death. In this 2000-word analysis, we will delve deep into the poem and explore its meaning, symbolism, and significance.
The poem begins with the speaker acknowledging his own mortality. He says, "I, who have died, am alive again today." This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is a reflection on life and death. The speaker goes on to say that he has "added my own code to nature's rhythms," suggesting that he has left his mark on the world. This idea of leaving a legacy is a recurring theme throughout the poem.
The next stanza is a reflection on the speaker's life. He says, "I have loved the smoke of an old room / my shadow pinned to the wall." This line is a metaphor for the speaker's memories, which are like smoke that lingers in an old room. The shadow pinned to the wall represents the speaker's past, which is always with him. The speaker then goes on to say that he has "loved the rain that beats / on the roof of a house." This line is a metaphor for the speaker's connection to the natural world. He finds beauty in the rain, which is a symbol of life and growth.
The third stanza is a reflection on the speaker's mortality. He says, "I have died again and again / but still I am alive." This line suggests that the speaker has faced death many times, but he has always come back to life. The speaker then goes on to say that he has "added my own code to the book of life." This line is a metaphor for the speaker's legacy. He has left his mark on the world, and his contributions will be remembered long after he is gone.
The fourth stanza is a reflection on the speaker's relationship with death. He says, "I have loved the light of a star / that dies a thousand years before its ray reaches earth." This line is a metaphor for the speaker's acceptance of death. He finds beauty in the fact that even though the star has died, its light still reaches earth. The speaker then goes on to say that he has "loved the cry / of a bird that dies in flight." This line is a metaphor for the speaker's acceptance of the inevitability of death. The bird's cry represents the fleeting nature of life, and the fact that it dies in flight suggests that death can come at any moment.
The fifth stanza is a reflection on the speaker's legacy. He says, "I have added my own code to the code / of my predecessors." This line suggests that the speaker has built upon the work of those who came before him. He has added his own unique perspective to the world, and his contributions will be remembered long after he is gone. The speaker then goes on to say that he has "loved the silence of a room / where the clock ticks and stops." This line is a metaphor for the speaker's acceptance of the passage of time. The clock ticking and stopping represents the inevitability of death, and the silence of the room represents the emptiness that comes with it.
The final stanza is a reflection on the speaker's legacy. He says, "I have loved the light of a day / that is not yet born." This line is a metaphor for the speaker's hope for the future. He finds beauty in the fact that there is always a new day to look forward to, and that there is always the possibility of new beginnings. The speaker then goes on to say that he has "added my own code to the code / of my successors." This line suggests that the speaker's legacy will continue long after he is gone. His contributions will inspire future generations to build upon his work and create something new.
In conclusion, Codicil by Derek Walcott is a masterpiece that explores the themes of mortality, legacy, and the inevitability of death. The poem is a reflection on the speaker's life and his relationship with death. Through the use of metaphors and symbolism, Walcott captures the essence of life and death in a way that is both beautiful and haunting. The poem is a reminder that even though we will all face death one day, our legacy will live on. As the speaker says, "I have added my own code to the code / of my predecessors and my successors." Our contributions to the world will be remembered long after we are gone, and that is something to be celebrated.
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