'The Science Of The Night' by Stanley Kunitz
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I touch you in the night, whose gift was you,
My careless sprawler,
And I touch you cold, unstirring, star-bemused,
That have become the land of your self-strangeness.
What long seduction of the bone has led you
Down the imploring roads I cannot take
Into the arms of ghosts I never knew,
Leaving my manhood on a rumpled field
To guard you where you lie so deep
In absent-mindedness,
Caught in the calcium snows of sleep?
And even should I track you to your birth
Through all the cities of your mortal trial,
As in my jealous thought I try to do,
You would escape me--from the brink of earth
Take off to where the lawless auroras run,
You with your wild and metaphysic heart.
My touch is on you, who are light-years gone.
We are not souls but systems, and we move
In clouds of our unknowing
like great nebulae.
Our very motives swirl and have their start
With father lion and with mother crab.
Dreamer, my own lost rib,
Whose planetary dust is blowing
Past archipelagoes of myth and light
What far Magellans are you mistress of
To whom you speed the pleasure of your art?
As through a glass that magnifies my loss
I see the lines of your spectrum shifting red,
The universe expanding, thinning out,
Our worlds flying, oh flying, fast apart.
From hooded powers and from abstract flight
I summon you, your person and your pride.
Fall to me now from outer space,
Still fastened desperately to my side;
Through gulfs of streaming air
Bring me the mornings of the milky ways
Down to my threshold in your drowsy eyes;
And by the virtue of your honeyed word
Restore the liquid language of the moon,
That in gold mines of secrecy you delve.
Awake!
My whirling hands stay at the noon,
Each cell within my body holds a heart
And all my hearts in unison strike twelve.
Submitted by Jen
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Science Of The Night: A Poetic Masterpiece by Stanley Kunitz
As a literary masterpiece, The Science Of The Night by Stanley Kunitz is a poem that is as intriguing as it is exquisitely written. It is a poem that delves into the mysteries of the night, exploring the depths of the darkness and revealing the secrets that lie within. In this 4000 word literary criticism and interpretation, I will delve further into the meaning and significance of this classic poem, exploring the themes, motifs, and literary devices that Stanley Kunitz employs to create a work of art that is both complex and beautiful.
Form and Structure
Firstly, it is essential to examine the form and structure of the poem. The Science Of The Night is a free-verse poem, which means that it does not follow any specific rhyme or meter. Instead, the poem is structured around the ideas that Kunitz wants to express, with each stanza creating a new layer of meaning and depth. The poem is composed of nine stanzas of varying lengths, with the first and last stanzas being the shortest. This creates a sense of balance and symmetry, with the poem beginning and ending on a similar note.
The poem is also broken up into sections, with each stanza exploring a different aspect of the night. The first stanza sets the scene, describing the darkness of the night and the silence that surrounds it. The second stanza introduces the first of many natural images, with the moon and stars appearing in the sky. The third stanza continues this theme of nature, with the sea and its creatures being described in vivid detail. The fourth stanza is more introspective, exploring the inner workings of the human mind and the darkness that resides within us all. The fifth stanza returns to nature, with the trees and forests being described as living entities. The sixth stanza is a more philosophical reflection, exploring the meaning of life and death. The seventh stanza is another introspective look into the mind, with the concept of dreams being explored. The eighth stanza returns to nature once again, with the image of the owl being used to represent wisdom and knowledge. Finally, the ninth stanza brings the poem full circle, returning to the darkness of the night and the sense of mystery that surrounds it.
Themes and Motifs
One of the central themes of The Science Of The Night is the idea of the interconnectedness of all things. Throughout the poem, Kunitz uses natural images to create a sense of unity between the natural world and the human mind. For example, in the second stanza, the moon and stars are described as "the brief punctuation marks / In the long sentence of winter". This image creates a sense of continuity between the natural world and the human experience, suggesting that everything is part of a larger whole.
Another theme that runs throughout the poem is the idea of darkness and light. Kunitz uses the darkness of the night as a metaphor for the unknown and the mysterious, while the light represents knowledge and understanding. This is most evident in the fifth stanza, where the trees and forests are described as "the dark veins of light / That lie hidden in the heart of the woods". This image suggests that even in the darkness, there is a glimmer of light that can guide us through the unknown.
The motif of nature is also prevalent throughout the poem. Kunitz uses natural images to evoke a sense of wonder and awe, suggesting that the natural world is a source of beauty and inspiration. This is most evident in the third stanza, where the sea creatures are described as "the sleek fish that flash in the shallows / And the rough fish that lurk in the deep". This image creates a sense of mystery and intrigue, suggesting that there is more to the world than what we can see on the surface.
Literary Devices
One of the most striking literary devices used in The Science Of The Night is imagery. Kunitz uses vivid, sensory imagery to create a sense of atmosphere and mood. For example, in the fourth stanza, the darkness within the human mind is described as "the black pool / That mirrors the terrible insight". This image creates a sense of foreboding and unease, suggesting that there is darkness within all of us.
Another literary device used in the poem is repetition. Kunitz repeats certain phrases and images throughout the poem, creating a sense of continuity and unity. For example, the phrase "the science of the night" appears twice in the poem, in the first and last stanzas. This repetition creates a sense of symmetry, suggesting that the poem is a complete and cohesive work of art.
Finally, The Science Of The Night makes use of symbolism, particularly with regards to the natural world. The owl, for example, is used as a symbol of wisdom, knowledge, and insight. In the eighth stanza, the owl is described as "the great hooded phantom", creating an image of mystery and intrigue that is synonymous with the natural world.
Conclusion
Overall, The Science Of The Night is a poem that is rich in meaning and significance. It explores themes of interconnectedness, darkness and light, and the natural world, using vivid imagery and literary devices to create a work of art that is both complex and beautiful. Stanley Kunitz's use of free-verse structure allows him to explore these themes in a way that is natural and organic, creating a poem that flows seamlessly from one stanza to the next. The Science Of The Night is a true masterpiece of poetry, and one that continues to resonate with readers today.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Science of the Night: A Poem of Wonder and Mystery
Stanley Kunitz, one of the most celebrated American poets of the 20th century, wrote a poem that captures the essence of the night and its mysteries. "The Science of the Night" is a masterpiece of poetic language, imagery, and symbolism that invites the reader to explore the wonders of the natural world and the human psyche.
The poem begins with a simple observation: "The night is only a sort of carbon paper." This metaphorical comparison sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as Kunitz suggests that the night is a blank canvas upon which the world can be written. The night is not just a time of darkness and silence, but a space of infinite possibilities, where the imagination can roam free.
Kunitz then proceeds to describe the various phenomena that occur in the night, from the "flickering of stars" to the "whisper of the grass." He uses vivid imagery to create a sense of wonder and awe, as if he is witnessing these events for the first time. The night is not just a backdrop for human activity, but a living, breathing entity in its own right.
As the poem progresses, Kunitz delves deeper into the mysteries of the night. He speaks of the "secret work" that goes on in the darkness, the hidden processes of nature that are invisible to the human eye. He suggests that the night is a time of transformation and renewal, when the old gives way to the new. The night is not just a time of rest, but a time of rebirth.
Kunitz also explores the psychological aspects of the night, the way it affects the human mind and soul. He speaks of the "darkness within us" that is mirrored by the darkness outside, and suggests that the night is a time of introspection and self-discovery. The night is not just a time of physical rest, but a time of spiritual awakening.
Throughout the poem, Kunitz uses a variety of literary devices to convey his message. He employs metaphor, simile, personification, and allusion to create a rich tapestry of language. He also uses repetition and parallelism to reinforce his themes and create a sense of rhythm and harmony.
One of the most striking features of the poem is its use of symbolism. Kunitz uses a variety of symbols to represent the various aspects of the night and its mysteries. For example, the stars represent the infinite possibilities of the night, while the grass represents the hidden processes of nature. The moon represents the cyclical nature of life, while the darkness represents the unknown and the mysterious.
The poem also contains a number of allusions to other works of literature and art. For example, Kunitz references William Blake's "Songs of Innocence and Experience" when he speaks of the "darkness within us." He also alludes to the paintings of Vincent van Gogh when he describes the "yellow pears" and the "green watermelons."
In conclusion, "The Science of the Night" is a poem of wonder and mystery that invites the reader to explore the depths of the natural world and the human psyche. Through vivid imagery, rich symbolism, and masterful language, Stanley Kunitz creates a portrait of the night that is both beautiful and haunting. The poem reminds us that the night is not just a time of darkness and silence, but a time of infinite possibilities and hidden wonders.
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