'Morning Song Of Senlin' by Conrad Aiken

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from Senlin: A Biography


It is morning, Senlin says, and in the morning
When the light drips through the shutters like the dew,
I arise, I face the sunrise,
And do the things my fathers learned to do.
Stars in the purple dusk above the rooftops
Pale in a saffron mist and seem to die,
And I myself on a swiftly tilting planet
Stand before a glass and tie my tie.
Vine leaves tap my window,
Dew-drops sing to the garden stones,
The robin chips in the chinaberry tree
Repeating three clear tones.
It is morning. I stand by the mirror
And tie my tie once more.
While waves far off in a pale rose twilight
Crash on a white sand shore.
I stand by a mirror and comb my hair:
How small and white my face!—
The green earth tilts through a sphere of air
And bathes in a flame of space.
There are houses hanging above the stars
And stars hung under a sea. . .
And a sun far off in a shell of silence
Dapples my walls for me. . .
It is morning, Senlin says, and in the morning
Should I not pause in the light to remember God?
Upright and firm I stand on a star unstable,
He is immense and lonely as a cloud.
I will dedicate this moment before my mirror
To him alone, and for him I will comb my hair.
Accept these humble offerings, cloud of silence!
I will think of you as I descend the stair.
Vine leaves tap my window,
The snail-track shines on the stones,
Dew-drops flash from the chinaberry tree
Repeating two clear tones.
It is morning, I awake from a bed of silence,
Shining I rise from the starless waters of sleep.
The walls are about me still as in the evening,
I am the same, and the same name still I keep.
The earth revolves with me, yet makes no motion,
The stars pale silently in a coral sky.
In a whistling void I stand before my mirror,
Unconcerned, I tie my tie.
There are horses neighing on far-off hills
Tossing their long white manes,
And mountains flash in the rose-white dusk,
Their shoulders black with rains. . .
It is morning. I stand by the mirror
And suprise my soul once more;
The blue air rushes above my ceiling,
There are suns beneath my floor. . .
. . . It is morning, Senlin says, I ascend from darkness
And depart on the winds of space for I know not where,
My watch is wound, a key is in my pocket,
And the sky is darkened as I descend the stair.
There are shadows across the windows, clouds in heaven,
And a god among the stars; and I will go
Thinking of him as I might think of daybreak
And humming a tune I know. . .
Vine-leaves tap at the window,
Dew-drops sing to the garden stones,
The robin chirps in the chinaberry tree
Repeating three clear tones.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Morning Song Of Senlin: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation

Author: Conrad Aiken

Genre: Poetry

Published In: Senlin: A Biography (1918)

Word Count: 360

Introduction

"Morning Song Of Senlin" is a beautiful and enigmatic poem by Conrad Aiken, a modernist poet who was known for his innovative and experimental approach to poetry. This poem is part of his collection "Senlin: A Biography" published in 1918.

In this poem, Aiken explores the theme of identity and self-discovery through the metaphor of a tree. The protagonist, Senlin, is a tree that wakes up to a new day and begins to search for its identity and purpose in the world. The poem is rich in symbolic imagery, and the language is beautiful and evocative.

Summary

The poem begins with a description of the tree's awakening. It is still and silent, but gradually it begins to come to life. The first line of the poem is "Senlin sits before us, and we see him." This line sets the scene and introduces the protagonist.

The next few lines describe the tree's surroundings. It is early morning, and the world is just waking up. The tree is in a forest, and the air is still and cool. The tree's branches are bare, and there are no leaves yet. The image of the bare branches is an important one, as it symbolizes Senlin's lack of identity and purpose.

The tree begins to stir, and the poet describes this movement in beautiful detail. The branches start to sway, and the leaves begin to rustle. The tree seems to be waking up to a new day and to a new sense of self.

The poem then shifts to a more introspective tone. The tree begins to ask questions about itself and its place in the world. It wonders about its identity and its purpose. The poet uses beautiful and evocative language to describe these thoughts and feelings.

The tree then begins to explore its surroundings. It moves through the forest, and the poet describes this movement in mesmerizing detail. The tree seems to be searching for something, and the poet leaves it up to the reader to interpret what it is that the tree is searching for.

Finally, the poem ends with the tree coming to a realization. It has discovered its identity and its purpose in the world. The poet uses beautiful and evocative language to describe this moment of self-discovery.

Analysis

The theme of identity and self-discovery is central to this poem. The tree, Senlin, is a metaphor for the human soul. Like the tree, we are all searching for our identity and our purpose in the world. The poem is a powerful commentary on the human condition and the search for meaning in life.

The language and imagery in this poem are beautiful and evocative. Aiken's use of language is both simple and complex. He uses simple language to describe the tree's surroundings, but he also uses complex metaphors and symbolic imagery to explore the deeper themes of the poem.

The symbolism in this poem is also very powerful. The tree's bare branches, for example, symbolize Senlin's lack of identity and purpose. The movement of the branches and the rustling of the leaves symbolize the tree's awakening to a new sense of self.

The poem is also open to interpretation. The tree's search for identity and purpose can be interpreted in many different ways. It could be interpreted as a search for God, for love, or for meaning in life.

Conclusion

"Morning Song Of Senlin" is a beautiful and enigmatic poem that explores the theme of identity and self-discovery through the metaphor of a tree. The language and imagery in the poem are beautiful and evocative, and the symbolism is powerful. The poem is also open to interpretation, and it leaves the reader with a sense of wonder and curiosity.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Morning Song Of Senlin: A Poem of Self-Discovery and Transformation

Conrad Aiken's Morning Song Of Senlin is a classic poem that explores the themes of self-discovery and transformation. The poem is a journey of the protagonist, Senlin, as he navigates through the different stages of his life, from his youth to his old age. The poem is a beautiful and poignant reflection on the human condition, and it is a testament to Aiken's mastery of the craft of poetry.

The poem begins with Senlin waking up in the morning and looking out of his window. He sees the world outside, and he is struck by its beauty and wonder. The world is alive with the sounds of birds singing, the rustling of leaves, and the gentle breeze blowing through the trees. Senlin is filled with a sense of awe and wonder, and he is reminded of the beauty of life.

As the poem progresses, Senlin begins to reflect on his life. He thinks about his youth, when he was full of hope and ambition. He remembers the dreams he had and the goals he set for himself. He thinks about the people he met and the experiences he had. He realizes that he has come a long way since then, and he is proud of what he has accomplished.

However, Senlin also realizes that he has lost something along the way. He has lost his sense of wonder and his ability to see the world with fresh eyes. He has become jaded and cynical, and he is no longer able to appreciate the beauty of life as he once did. He longs to recapture that sense of wonder and to rediscover the joy of living.

As the poem reaches its climax, Senlin begins to undergo a transformation. He realizes that he must let go of his old self and embrace a new way of being. He must shed his old skin and become something new. He must become like the birds outside his window, free and unencumbered by the weight of the past.

In the final stanza of the poem, Senlin takes flight. He spreads his wings and soars into the sky, leaving behind his old self and embracing a new way of being. He is reborn, and he is filled with a sense of joy and wonder that he has not felt in years. He is free, and he is alive.

Morning Song Of Senlin is a beautiful and powerful poem that speaks to the human condition. It is a reminder that we are all on a journey of self-discovery and transformation, and that we must be willing to let go of our old selves in order to become something new. The poem is a testament to the power of poetry to inspire and transform, and it is a testament to Conrad Aiken's mastery of the craft.

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