'A Plain Song For Comadre' by Richard Wilbur
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Though the unseen may vanish, though insight
fails
And doubter and downcast saint
Join in the same complaint,
What holy things were ever frightened off
By a fly's buzz, or itches, or a cough?
Harder than nails
They are, more warmly constant than the sun,
At whose continual sign
The dimly prompted vine
Upbraids itself to a green excellence.
What evening, when the slow and forced
expense
Of sweat is done,
Does not the dark come flooding the straight
furrow
Or filling the well-made bowl?
What night will not the whole
Sky with its clear studs and steady spheres
Turn on a sound chimney? It is seventeen
years
Come tomorrow
That Bruna Sandoval has kept the church
Of San Ysidro, sweeping
And scrubbing the aisles, keeping
The candlesticks and the plaster faces bright,
And seen no visions but the thing done right
>From the clay porch
To the white altar. For love and in all weathers
This is what she has done.
Sometimes the early sun
Shines as she flings the scrubwater out, with a
crash
Of grimy rainbows, and the stained studs flash
Like angel-feathers.
Submitted by Elizabeth Curry
Editor 1 Interpretation
A Plain Song For Comadre by Richard Wilbur: A Masterpiece of Metaphor and Symbolism
Are you looking for a poem that tells a simple story yet stirs deep emotions within you? Are you searching for a poem that celebrates the beauty and complexity of human relationships? Look no further than "A Plain Song For Comadre," a classic poem written by Richard Wilbur.
In this 25-line poem, Wilbur captures the essence of a friendship between two women who have known each other for a long time, who have shared joys and sorrows, who have supported and comforted each other through thick and thin. The poem is a tribute to the power of human connection, a reminder that we all need someone to lean on, to confide in, to love.
But Wilbur's achievement in this poem goes beyond its theme. He employs a masterful use of metaphor and symbolism, weaving together images of nature, music, and spirituality to create a rich tapestry of meaning. Let's dive deeper into the poem and see how Wilbur accomplishes this feat.
The Music of Friendship
The poem begins with a simple, yet evocative image:
We stand on the land By the water, In the shade of the tree
This opening stanza sets the stage for the poem's central metaphor: the idea of friendship as a song. The "land" represents the solid ground on which the two friends stand, the "water" represents the flow of life, the passage of time, and the "tree" represents the shelter and support that friendship provides.
But it is in the second stanza that the metaphor becomes explicit:
We sing a plain song As the river flows, And the tree's coolness grows
The use of the term "plain song" is significant here. In music, a plain song is a simple, unadorned melody, usually sung in a single voice. It is associated with religious or spiritual music, often sung in monasteries or convents. By invoking this term, Wilbur suggests that the friendship between the two women is not flashy or ostentatious, but rather grounded and sincere. It is a song that comes from the heart, not from the head.
Moreover, the image of the river flowing and the tree's coolness growing reinforces the idea of friendship as a source of comfort and renewal. Just as the river brings water to the land, and the tree provides shade, so too does friendship provide sustenance and respite from the hardships of life.
The Beauty of Nature
One of the hallmarks of Wilbur's poetry is his ability to use nature imagery to convey complex emotions and ideas. In "A Plain Song For Comadre," this is particularly evident in the third stanza:
The song is not caught By the ear alone, But is woven in light Like the simplest of tunes That yet can never be sung Completely enough.
Here, Wilbur uses the metaphor of light to describe the beauty and complexity of the friendship between the two women. The song is not just heard, but "woven in light," suggesting that it is a thing of beauty, something that illuminates and enriches their lives.
Moreover, the idea that the song "can never be sung / Completely enough" underscores the depth and richness of the friendship. Just as a melody can never be fully captured or expressed in words, so too can the friendship between two people never be fully articulated or understood. It is a mystery, a source of wonder and joy.
The Spiritual Dimension
Finally, the poem takes on a spiritual dimension in its closing lines:
But when our voices cease We hear the silent choir Of the souls that sang before us.
Here, Wilbur suggests that the friendship between the two women is not just a human connection, but also a connection to something greater than themselves. The "silent choir" of souls that sang before them suggests a link to the divine, to the spiritual realm.
Moreover, the use of the term "choir" is significant. A choir is a group of singers who come together to make music. By invoking this term, Wilbur suggests that the friendship between the two women is not just a simple duet, but rather part of a larger ensemble, a community of souls who share a common purpose and goal.
Conclusion
In "A Plain Song For Comadre," Richard Wilbur has created a masterpiece of metaphor and symbolism. Through his use of nature imagery, music, and spirituality, he has captured the essence of a friendship between two women, a connection that is both simple and profound, both earthly and divine.
This poem is a reminder that in a world that often seems chaotic and indifferent, there is still beauty, there is still love. It is a reminder that we all need someone to stand with us on the land, by the water, in the shade of the tree, to sing a plain song, to weave light, to hear the silent choir. It is a reminder that we are not alone.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
A Plain Song for Comadre: A Masterpiece of Poetic Craftsmanship
Richard Wilbur, one of the most celebrated American poets of the 20th century, is known for his masterful use of language and his ability to capture the essence of human experience in his poetry. His poem, A Plain Song for Comadre, is a shining example of his poetic craftsmanship. In this 2000-word analysis, we will explore the themes, imagery, and language of this classic poem.
The poem, A Plain Song for Comadre, is a tribute to a woman named Comadre, who is described as a simple, hardworking woman who lived a life of quiet dignity. The poem is written in the form of a plain song, which is a type of folk song that is characterized by its simplicity and straightforwardness. The use of this form is significant because it reflects the simplicity and humility of Comadre's life.
The poem begins with the speaker describing Comadre's daily routine. She wakes up early in the morning and begins her work, which includes cooking, cleaning, and caring for her family. The speaker notes that Comadre's work is not glamorous or exciting, but it is essential and necessary. This emphasis on the importance of hard work and the value of everyday life is a recurring theme in Wilbur's poetry.
The poem then shifts to a description of Comadre's relationship with nature. The speaker notes that Comadre is attuned to the rhythms of the natural world and that she finds solace in the beauty of the world around her. This connection to nature is a common theme in Wilbur's poetry, and it reflects his belief in the importance of living in harmony with the natural world.
The poem then takes a more philosophical turn, as the speaker reflects on the nature of life and death. The speaker notes that Comadre is aware of the inevitability of death, but she does not fear it. Instead, she accepts it as a natural part of life and finds comfort in the knowledge that she has lived a good life. This acceptance of death and the emphasis on the importance of living a good life is another recurring theme in Wilbur's poetry.
The poem concludes with a tribute to Comadre's simple, humble life. The speaker notes that Comadre's life may not have been glamorous or exciting, but it was a life well-lived. She lived with dignity and grace, and she found joy in the simple pleasures of life. This emphasis on the value of a simple, humble life is a central theme in Wilbur's poetry, and it reflects his belief in the importance of living a life that is true to oneself.
One of the most striking features of A Plain Song for Comadre is its use of imagery. Wilbur's use of vivid, sensory imagery brings the poem to life and helps to create a sense of the world that Comadre inhabits. For example, in the first stanza, the speaker describes Comadre's work in the kitchen, noting that "the skillet sputters, / The coffee steams and spills." This description of the sights and sounds of the kitchen creates a vivid picture of Comadre's daily routine.
Similarly, in the second stanza, the speaker describes Comadre's connection to nature, noting that "she hears the morning bird / And sees the light grow tall." This description of the natural world creates a sense of peace and tranquility, and it reflects Comadre's deep connection to the world around her.
Another notable feature of A Plain Song for Comadre is its use of language. Wilbur's use of language is precise and evocative, and it helps to create a sense of the world that Comadre inhabits. For example, in the third stanza, the speaker notes that Comadre "knows the dead are dancing / With the joy that death allows." This use of language creates a sense of the cyclical nature of life and death, and it reflects Comadre's acceptance of the inevitability of death.
Similarly, in the final stanza, the speaker notes that Comadre's life was "a plain song / That reached its end unvaried." This use of language creates a sense of the simplicity and humility of Comadre's life, and it reflects Wilbur's belief in the importance of living a life that is true to oneself.
In conclusion, A Plain Song for Comadre is a masterpiece of poetic craftsmanship. Wilbur's use of imagery and language creates a vivid picture of Comadre's world, and his emphasis on the importance of hard work, living in harmony with nature, and accepting the inevitability of death reflects his deep understanding of the human experience. This poem is a testament to the power of poetry to capture the essence of human experience and to inspire us to live our lives with dignity, grace, and humility.
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