'Sky Watcher, The' by William Wilfred Campbell
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Black rolls the phantom chimney-smoke
Beneath the wintry moon;
For miles on miles, by sound unbroke,
The world lies wrapt in its ermine cloak,
And the night's icy swoon
Sways earthward in great brimming wells
Of luminous, frosty particles.
Far up the roadway, drifted deep,
Where frost-etched fences gleam;
Beneath the sky's wan, shimmering sleep
My solitary way I keep
Across the world's white dream;
The only living moving thing
In all this mighty slumbering.
Up in the eastern range of hill,
The thin wood spectrally
Stirs in its sleep and then is still
(Like querulous age) at the wind's will.
My shadow doggedly
Follows my footsteps where I go,
A grotesque giant on the snow.
Out where the river's arms are wound,
And icy sedges cling,
There comes to me as in a swound
A far-off clear, thin, vibrant sound,--
The distant hammering
Of frost-elves as they come and go,
Forging, in silver chains, his woe.
I stand upon the hill's bleak crest
And note the far night world:
The mighty lake whose passionate breast,
Manacled into arctic rest,
In shrouded sleep is furled:
The steely heavens whose wondrous host
Wheel white from flaming coast to coast.
Then down the night's dim luminous ways,
Meseems they come once more,
Those great star-watchers of old days
The lonely, calm-ones, whose still gaze,
On old-time, orient shore,
Dreamed in the wheeling sons of light,
The awful secrets of earth's night.
They come, those lofty ones of old,
And take me by the hand,
And call me brother; ages rolled
Are but a smoke-mist; kindred-souled,
They lift me to their band;
Like lights that from pale starbeams shine,
Their clear eyes look with peace on mine.
In language of no common kind
These watchers speak to me;
Their thoughts the depths of heaven find
Like plummets true. It were a kind
Of immortality
To spend with them one holy hour,
And know their love and grasp their power.
And wrapt around with glad content,
I learn with soul serene,
Caught from the beauty that is blent
In earth, the heaven's luminous tent,
The frost-lit dreams between,
And something holier out of sight,
Glad visions of the infinite.
Then backward past the sere hill's breast,
The spectral moaning wood,
With great peace brooding in my breast,
I turn me toward the common rest
Of earth's worn brotherhood;
But as I pass, a sacred sign,
Each lays his holy lips on mine:--
Gives me the golden chrism of song,
Tips my hushed heart with fire;
Till high in heaven I hear that throng
Who march in mystic paths along,
Great Pleiades, The Lyre,
The Te-Deum of the ages swell,
To earth-tuned ear inaudible.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Sky Watcher: A Poem by William Wilfred Campbell
Introduction
William Wilfred Campbell was a Canadian poet and writer born in 1860. He wrote many poems, but one of his most famous works is "Sky Watcher." This poem is a reflection on the beauty and wonder of the natural world, specifically the night sky. Campbell uses vivid imagery and contemplative language to explore the mysteries of the universe and our place within it. In this literary criticism, I will analyze "Sky Watcher" in depth, exploring its themes, structure, and language to uncover the deeper meaning hidden within the lines.
Summary
"Sky Watcher" is a poem comprised of four stanzas, each containing four lines. The rhyme scheme is A-B-A-B, with each line written in iambic tetrameter, meaning there are four stressed syllables in each line. The poem opens with the speaker gazing up at the night sky, marveling at its beauty, and pondering its mysteries. The second stanza explores the idea that the stars are ancient, and that they have been watching over humanity for eons. The third stanza speaks to the power of nature and the universe over human beings, noting that we are small and insignificant in the grand scheme of things. The final stanza is a reflection on the fleeting nature of life and the importance of living in the moment.
Analysis
The poem "Sky Watcher" is a meditation on the mysteries of the universe and our place within it. Throughout the poem, Campbell employs vivid imagery to evoke a sense of wonder and awe in the reader. In the first stanza, the speaker describes the stars as "the golden lights / That blaze in the blue and the dark," creating a sense of beauty and majesty. The use of the word "blaze" emphasizes the brilliance of the stars, while the contrasting colors of blue and dark suggest a sense of depth and mystery.
The second stanza continues this sense of mystery by exploring the idea that the stars are ancient and have been watching over humanity for eons. The speaker notes that the stars have "kept watch o'er the earth for long," suggesting a sense of guardianship and protection. The use of the word "long" emphasizes the idea that the stars have been present for a very long time, and have seen the rise and fall of countless civilizations.
The third stanza shifts the focus to the power of nature and the universe over human beings. The speaker notes that "we are but specks of dust," emphasizing the insignificance of human beings in the grand scheme of things. This sense of smallness is contrasted with the power of the universe, with the speaker noting that "the wind and the sea and the stars" are "stronger than we." This suggests that despite our attempts to control and manipulate the world around us, we are ultimately subject to the forces of nature.
The final stanza is a reflection on the fleeting nature of life and the importance of living in the moment. The speaker notes that "life is a fleeting breath," emphasizing the idea that our time on earth is limited. This sense of impermanence is contrasted with the beauty and wonder of the world around us, with the speaker noting that "the world is full of beauty and light." This suggests that despite the transience of life, there is still much to be appreciated and enjoyed in the present moment.
Interpretation
The poem "Sky Watcher" can be interpreted as a reflection on the human condition and our place in the universe. The vivid imagery and contemplative language suggest that the speaker is grappling with deep philosophical questions about the nature of existence. The focus on the night sky and the stars emphasizes the idea that we are but small players in a much larger and more mysterious universe. The use of the word "watcher" in the title suggests that the speaker is observing the world around them, but not necessarily trying to control or manipulate it.
One way to interpret the poem is as a call to appreciate the beauty of the natural world and to live in the moment. The final stanza suggests that despite the fleeting nature of life, there is still much to be appreciated and enjoyed in the present moment. This can be seen as a reminder to live fully and embrace the world around us, rather than constantly striving for more and constantly worrying about the future.
Another interpretation of the poem is that it is a meditation on the role of human beings in the universe. The third stanza emphasizes the insignificance of human beings in the grand scheme of things, suggesting that despite our attempts to control and manipulate the world around us, we are ultimately subject to the forces of nature. This can be seen as a warning against hubris and an encouragement to respect and appreciate the power of the natural world.
Conclusion
"Sky Watcher" is a powerful and contemplative poem that explores the mysteries of the universe and our place within it. The vivid imagery and contemplative language create a sense of wonder and awe, while the structure of the poem emphasizes the importance of reflection and contemplation. By focusing on the beauty of the natural world and the transience of life, the poem encourages us to live in the moment and appreciate the world around us. At the same time, it reminds us of the power of nature and the universe, and the importance of respecting and appreciating this power. Overall, "Sky Watcher" is a profound and thought-provoking work that continues to resonate with readers today.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry has the power to transport us to another world, to make us see things in a different light, and to evoke emotions we never knew existed. William Wilfred Campbell's "The Sky Watcher" is a perfect example of this power. This classic poem takes us on a journey through the night sky, and the emotions it evokes are nothing short of magical.
The poem begins with the speaker looking up at the sky, and immediately we are transported to a world of wonder and awe. The speaker describes the stars as "burning lamps of gold," and the moon as a "silver boat" sailing through the sky. The imagery here is vivid and beautiful, and it sets the tone for the rest of the poem.
As the speaker continues to gaze at the sky, he begins to feel a sense of peace and tranquility. He describes the "hush of night" and the "stillness of the air," and we can almost feel the calmness of the scene. This sense of peace is further emphasized by the repetition of the word "peace" throughout the poem.
But as the speaker continues to watch the sky, his emotions begin to shift. He describes the stars as "cold and far," and the moon as "lonely." The beauty of the sky is still there, but it is now tinged with a sense of sadness and longing. The speaker seems to be searching for something, and the sky is not providing the answers he seeks.
This shift in emotion is further emphasized by the change in tone and language. The speaker's words become more melancholy, and the imagery becomes darker. He describes the stars as "frosty," and the moon as "pale and wan." The once-beautiful sky now seems cold and distant.
But just as the speaker's emotions reach their lowest point, there is a sudden shift. He describes a shooting star, and suddenly the sky is alive with movement and energy. The speaker's words become more excited, and the imagery becomes more vibrant. He describes the shooting star as a "fiery dart," and the sky as a "sea of light." The beauty of the sky is once again at the forefront, and the speaker is filled with a sense of wonder and awe.
This shift in emotion is what makes "The Sky Watcher" such a powerful poem. The speaker's journey through the night sky mirrors our own journey through life. We all experience moments of peace and tranquility, moments of sadness and longing, and moments of wonder and excitement. The sky is a metaphor for our own emotions, and the poem reminds us that even in our darkest moments, there is still beauty to be found.
The language and imagery in "The Sky Watcher" are also worth noting. Campbell's use of vivid, descriptive language creates a world that is both beautiful and haunting. The repetition of certain words and phrases, such as "peace" and "lonely," adds to the poem's emotional impact. And the use of personification, such as describing the stars as "burning lamps of gold," brings the sky to life in a way that is both magical and relatable.
In conclusion, "The Sky Watcher" is a classic poem that continues to resonate with readers today. Its themes of beauty, sadness, and wonder are universal, and its language and imagery are both powerful and evocative. Whether we are gazing up at the night sky or simply reflecting on our own emotions, this poem reminds us that there is always beauty to be found, even in the darkest of moments.
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