'Far Within Us #6' by Vasko Popa


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From the wrinkle between my brows
You watch till day breaks
On my face

The waxen night
Is beginning to singe
The fingers of dawn

Black bricks
Have already tiled
The whole dome of the sky


Trans. by Anne Pennington

Anonymous submission.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Far Within Us #6: A Critical Interpretation

Far Within Us #6, written by the Serbian poet Vasko Popa, is a thought-provoking and intriguing poem that delves into the depths of the human psyche. It explores themes of identity, memory, and self-discovery, all through the use of metaphors and imagery that are both vivid and evocative.

In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will analyze the different elements of the poem and try to unravel its meaning and significance.

Background Information

Vasko Popa was a prominent Serbian poet who was born in 1922 and died in 1991. He was known for his unique style of poetry, which was characterized by its surreal and imaginative imagery. Popa drew from various literary traditions, including folklore, mythology, and surrealism, to create a body of work that was both original and profound.

Far Within Us #6 is part of a series of poems that Popa wrote, which were collectively titled "Far Within Us". The series consisted of nine poems, each of which explored different aspects of the human experience. Far Within Us #6 was published in 1965, in a collection of Popa's poems titled "The Little Box".

Poem Analysis

Far Within Us #6 is a relatively short poem, consisting of only ten lines. However, each line is packed with meaning and symbolism, making the poem a rich and complex work of art.

The poem begins with the line "Only in sleep the mind loosen its grief". This line immediately sets the tone for the rest of the poem, suggesting that sleep is the only time when we can let go of our troubles and sorrows. The word "grief" is particularly significant here, as it implies a deep sense of loss and sadness.

The second line of the poem reads "Far, far, far and away beyond all that". This line is repeated three times, emphasizing the distance between the speaker and the world around them. The repetition also creates a sense of longing and yearning, as if the speaker is searching for something that is just out of reach.

The third line of the poem is "It's said, on the other side there's a different sun". This line introduces a new element to the poem, suggesting that there is another world beyond our own. The idea of a "different sun" is intriguing, as it implies that this other world is fundamentally different from our own.

The fourth line of the poem reads "And a different memory of this same thing". This line further emphasizes the idea of memory and how it can be different for different people. The use of the word "same" suggests that the speaker is referring to something that is known to both themselves and their audience. However, the fact that there can be a different memory of this thing suggests that memory is not fixed or objective.

The fifth line of the poem reads "Which of us is right, in the faraway other place?". This line is a rhetorical question that invites the reader to consider the nature of truth and how it can be different for different people. The use of the word "us" suggests that the speaker is not alone in their questioning, but rather that this is a universal concern.

The sixth line of the poem reads "Is it my sun that sets and rises there?". This line is significant because it suggests that the speaker is not just curious about the other world, but is also questioning their own identity. The use of the word "my" implies ownership and possession, suggesting that the speaker is trying to understand their own relationship to the world around them.

The seventh line of the poem reads "Is it my memory that's different or is it theirs?". This line further emphasizes the idea of memory and how it can be different for different people. The use of the word "theirs" suggests that the speaker is trying to understand how others perceive the world, and how this perception differs from their own.

The eighth line of the poem reads "Only in sleep the mind loosen its grief". This line is repeated from the beginning of the poem, creating a sense of cyclical movement. The repetition also emphasizes the idea that sleep is the only time when we can let go of our troubles and sorrows.

The ninth line of the poem reads "Far, far, far and away beyond all that". This line is repeated again, creating a sense of distance and longing. However, the fact that this line is repeated at the end of the poem suggests that there is no resolution to the speaker's questioning.

The final line of the poem reads "Which of us is right, in the faraway other place?". This line is a repetition of the rhetorical question that was introduced earlier in the poem. However, the fact that this line is repeated at the end of the poem suggests that there is no easy answer to this question.

Interpretation

Far Within Us #6 is a complex and enigmatic poem that touches on a number of different themes and ideas. At its core, the poem is about identity and how it is shaped by memory and perception. The speaker is questioning their own identity and how it relates to the world around them, suggesting that identity is not fixed or objective.

The idea of memory is also central to the poem, as it is through memory that we construct our sense of self. However, the fact that memory can be different for different people suggests that identity is not universal or objective. Rather, it is shaped by individual experience and perception.

The idea of a "different sun" and a "faraway other place" suggests that there is another world beyond our own, one that is fundamentally different from what we know. This idea is both intriguing and unsettling, as it suggests that our sense of reality is limited and incomplete.

The repetition of the line "Only in sleep the mind loosen its grief" suggests that sleep is the only time when we can let go of our troubles and sorrows. This idea is both comforting and melancholic, as it suggests that our waking lives are filled with pain and suffering.

The poem ends with the rhetorical question "Which of us is right, in the faraway other place?". This question is significant because it suggests that there is no easy answer to the speaker's questioning. Rather, truth is subjective and dependent on individual experience and perception.

Conclusion

Far Within Us #6 is a compelling and thought-provoking poem that explores themes of identity, memory, and perception. Popa's use of vivid imagery and repetition creates a sense of distance and longing, emphasizing the speaker's questioning and uncertainty.

The poem invites the reader to consider the nature of truth and how it is shaped by individual experience and perception. It suggests that our sense of reality is limited and incomplete, and that identity is not fixed or objective.

Overall, Far Within Us #6 is a powerful work of poetry that continues to resonate with readers today. Its themes and ideas are universal and timeless, making it a valuable contribution to the world of literature.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Far Within Us #6: A Poem of Profound Significance

Vasko Popa, a Serbian poet, is known for his unique style of poetry that is deeply rooted in folklore and mythology. His poem, Far Within Us #6, is a masterpiece that explores the complexities of human nature and the struggle to find meaning in life. This poem is a perfect example of Popa's ability to use simple language to convey profound ideas. In this article, we will analyze and explain the significance of Far Within Us #6.

The poem begins with the line, "Far within us all is a great radiant calm." This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as it suggests that there is a sense of peace and tranquility within all of us. However, the use of the word "far" suggests that this calm is not easily accessible and requires effort to reach. The word "radiant" adds to the imagery of this calm, suggesting that it is bright and beautiful.

The next line, "Everything else is labour and foreign to the soul," is a powerful statement that suggests that everything else in life is a distraction from this inner calm. The use of the word "labour" suggests that everything else in life requires effort and is not natural to the soul. This line also suggests that the soul is the true essence of a person and that everything else is just a superficial layer.

The third line, "The soul is like a vast ocean," is a beautiful metaphor that suggests that the soul is deep and mysterious. The use of the word "vast" suggests that the soul is infinite and that there is always more to discover. The ocean is also a symbol of life and the unknown, suggesting that the soul is a journey of discovery.

The fourth line, "And the surface of the soul is storm-tossed," is a powerful image that suggests that the soul is not always calm and peaceful. The use of the word "storm-tossed" suggests that the soul can be turbulent and chaotic. This line also suggests that the surface of the soul is just a superficial layer and that the true essence of the soul lies deeper.

The fifth line, "But far within us all is a great radiant calm," is a repetition of the first line and serves to reinforce the idea that there is a sense of peace and tranquility within all of us. This repetition also suggests that this inner calm is the true essence of the soul and that everything else is just a distraction.

The sixth line, "And everything else is labour and foreign to the soul," is a repetition of the second line and serves to reinforce the idea that everything else in life is a distraction from this inner calm. This repetition also suggests that the soul is the true essence of a person and that everything else is just a superficial layer.

The seventh line, "And the storm-tossed surface of the soul is only the outermost layer," is a repetition of the fourth line and serves to reinforce the idea that the true essence of the soul lies deeper. This repetition also suggests that the surface of the soul is just a superficial layer and that the true essence of the soul lies deeper.

The eighth line, "Far within us all is a great radiant calm," is a repetition of the first and fifth lines and serves to reinforce the idea that there is a sense of peace and tranquility within all of us. This repetition also suggests that this inner calm is the true essence of the soul and that everything else is just a distraction.

The ninth line, "And everything else is labour and foreign to the soul," is a repetition of the second and sixth lines and serves to reinforce the idea that everything else in life is a distraction from this inner calm. This repetition also suggests that the soul is the true essence of a person and that everything else is just a superficial layer.

The tenth and final line, "And the storm-tossed surface of the soul is only the outermost layer," is a repetition of the fourth and seventh lines and serves to reinforce the idea that the true essence of the soul lies deeper. This repetition also suggests that the surface of the soul is just a superficial layer and that the true essence of the soul lies deeper.

In conclusion, Far Within Us #6 is a poem of profound significance that explores the complexities of human nature and the struggle to find meaning in life. The poem suggests that there is a sense of peace and tranquility within all of us, but that this inner calm is not easily accessible and requires effort to reach. The poem also suggests that the soul is the true essence of a person and that everything else is just a superficial layer. The use of repetition throughout the poem serves to reinforce these ideas and adds to the overall impact of the poem. Far Within Us #6 is a masterpiece of poetry that is both beautiful and thought-provoking.

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