'The Church On Comiaken Hill' by Richard Hugo
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The lines are keen against today's bad sky
about to rain. We're white and understand
why Indians sold butter for the funds
to build this church. Four hens and a rooster
huddle on the porch. We are dark
and know why no one climbed to pray. The priest
who did his best to imitate a bell
watched the river, full of spirits, coil
below the hill, relentless for the bay.
A church abandoned to the wind is portent.
In high wind, ruins make harsh music.
The priest is tending bar. His dreams have paid
outrageous fees for stone and mortar.
His eyes are empty as a chapel
roofless in a storm. Greek temples seem
the same as forty centuries ago.
If we used one corner for a urinal,
he wouldn't swear we hadn't worshipped here.
The chickens cringe. Rain sprays chaos where
the altar and the stained glass would have gone
had Indians not eaten tribal cows
one hungry fall. Despite the chant,
salmon hadn't come. The first mass
and a phone line cursed the river.
If rain had rhythm, it would not be Latin.
Children do not wave as we drive out.
Like these graves ours may go unmarked.
Can we be satisfied when dead
with daffodils for stones? These Indians--
whatever they once loved or used for God--
the hill--the river--the bay burned by the moon--
they knew that when you die you lose your name.
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Church On Comiaken Hill: A Poem That Explores The Intersection Of Land And Religion
Richard Hugo's The Church On Comiaken Hill is a beautiful and evocative poem that explores the relationship between land and religion. The poem is set in the Pacific Northwest, and it portrays a church that stands on a hill overlooking the surrounding landscape. The poem is full of vivid imagery, and it captures the beauty and power of the natural world. At the same time, the poem explores the ways in which religion and spirituality can be intertwined with the land and the environment.
The Setting Of The Poem
The Church On Comiaken Hill is set in the Pacific Northwest, a region known for its rugged beauty and dramatic landscape. The poem describes a church that stands on a hill overlooking the surrounding countryside. The hill is covered in trees, and the church is surrounded by a cemetery.
The setting of the poem is one of its most important features. Through his descriptions of the landscape, Hugo creates a sense of place that is both real and mythical. The hill on which the church stands is described as "the highest point in the county," and the surrounding countryside is depicted as a "wilderness" that is "too vast to hold in mind." The natural world is presented as both overwhelming and awe-inspiring.
The Church As A Symbol Of Religion And Spirituality
The church on Comiaken Hill is not simply a physical structure; it is also a symbol of religion and spirituality. Throughout the poem, Hugo explores the ways in which the church is intertwined with the natural world. The church is depicted as a place of refuge and solace, a place where people can come to find peace and spiritual renewal.
At the same time, the church is also portrayed as a symbol of the power and authority of religion. The church's position on the hilltop gives it a sense of dominance and superiority over the surrounding landscape. The cemetery surrounding the church is a reminder of the power of death and the role that religion plays in helping people come to terms with their mortality.
The Intersection Of Land And Religion
The Church On Comiaken Hill is a poem that explores the intersection of land and religion. Through his descriptions of the landscape and the church, Hugo shows how religion and spirituality can be intertwined with the environment. The church is depicted as a place where people can come to connect with the natural world and find spiritual solace in the midst of the wilderness.
At the same time, the poem also explores the ways in which religion can be used to control and dominate the natural world. The church's position on the hilltop gives it a sense of superiority over the surrounding landscape, and the cemetery surrounding the church is a reminder of the power of death and the role that religion plays in helping people come to terms with their mortality.
The Poem's Use Of Imagery And Metaphor
One of the most striking aspects of The Church On Comiaken Hill is its use of vivid imagery and metaphor. Through his descriptions of the landscape and the church, Hugo creates a sense of place that is both real and mythical. The hill on which the church stands is described as "a blue-green whale breaching the whitecaps of trees," while the surrounding countryside is depicted as a "wilderness" that is "too vast to hold in mind."
The church itself is described in metaphorical terms. It is depicted as a "great fish-net" that "gathered the fish of heaven," and its spire is compared to a "needle of light" that "sewed the sky together." These metaphors create a sense of spiritual significance and transcendence around the church.
Conclusion
In conclusion, The Church On Comiaken Hill is a beautiful and evocative poem that explores the intersection of land and religion. Through his descriptions of the landscape and the church, Hugo creates a sense of place that is both real and mythical. The church is depicted as a symbol of religion and spirituality, and it is intertwined with the natural world in powerful and meaningful ways. The poem's use of vivid imagery and metaphor creates a sense of spiritual significance and transcendence that is both moving and inspiring.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Church On Comiaken Hill: A Poem of Nostalgia and Reflection
Richard Hugo’s poem, The Church On Comiaken Hill, is a beautiful and poignant piece of literature that captures the essence of nostalgia and reflection. The poem is a tribute to a small church that once stood on a hill in the author’s hometown of White Center, Washington. The church, which was demolished in the 1950s, holds a special place in the author’s heart, and he uses his words to paint a vivid picture of the church and the memories it holds.
The poem is divided into three stanzas, each of which explores a different aspect of the church and its significance. The first stanza sets the scene, describing the church and its surroundings. The author paints a picture of a small, white church on a hill, surrounded by trees and fields. He describes the church as “a small white church / on a hill above the town,” and goes on to say that “the fields around it / were always green.” This imagery creates a sense of peace and tranquility, and sets the tone for the rest of the poem.
The second stanza is where the author delves deeper into his memories of the church. He describes how, as a child, he would attend Sunday school at the church, and how he would sit in the pews and listen to the sermons. He also describes how, as a teenager, he would sneak into the church with his friends and play the piano. These memories are tinged with nostalgia, and the author’s words convey a sense of longing for a simpler time.
The third and final stanza is where the author reflects on the significance of the church and what it represents. He describes how the church was a place of refuge and comfort for the people of the town, and how it served as a symbol of hope and faith. He also reflects on the fact that the church is now gone, and how its absence has left a void in the community. He ends the poem with the lines, “The church on Comiaken Hill is gone, / but the hill is still there.”
The Church On Comiaken Hill is a beautiful and powerful poem that speaks to the universal themes of nostalgia, memory, and loss. The author’s words are simple yet evocative, and they paint a vivid picture of a small church and the memories it holds. The poem is a tribute to a bygone era, and a reminder of the importance of preserving our history and heritage.
One of the most striking aspects of the poem is the way in which the author uses imagery to create a sense of place and atmosphere. The description of the church and its surroundings is so vivid that the reader can almost picture themselves standing on the hill, looking out at the fields and trees. The author’s use of color is also noteworthy, with the green fields and white church creating a sense of harmony and balance.
Another notable aspect of the poem is the way in which the author uses language to convey his emotions. The poem is written in a simple, straightforward style, but the author’s words are infused with a sense of longing and nostalgia. The use of the past tense throughout the poem creates a sense of distance and separation, as if the author is looking back on a time that can never be recaptured.
Overall, The Church On Comiaken Hill is a beautiful and moving poem that captures the essence of nostalgia and reflection. The author’s words are infused with a sense of longing and loss, and they paint a vivid picture of a small church and the memories it holds. The poem is a reminder of the importance of preserving our history and heritage, and a tribute to a bygone era.
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