'A Prayer To Go To Paradise With The Donkeys' by Francis Jammes

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to Maire and Jack

When I must come to you, O my God, I pray
It be some dusty-roaded holiday,
And even as in my travels here below,
I beg to choose by what road I shall go
To Paradise, where the clear stars shine by
day.
I'll take my walking stick and go my way,
And to my friends the donkeys I shall say,
"I am Francis Jammes, and I'm going to
Paradise,
For there is no hell in the land of the loving
God."
And I'll say to them; "Come, sweet friends, of
the blue skies,
Poor creatures who with a flap of the ears or a
nod
Of the head shake off the buffets, the bees,
the flies..."

Let me come with these donkeys, Lord, into
your land,
These beasts who bow their heads so gently,
and stand
With their small feet joined together in a
fashion
Utterly gentle, asking your compassion.
I shall arrive, followed by their thousands of
ears,
Followed by those with baskets at their flanks,
By those who lug the carts of mountebanks
Or loads of feather-dusters and kitchen-wares,
By those with humps of battered water-cans,
By bottle-shaped she-asses who halt and
stumble,
By those tricked out in little pantaloons
To cover their wet, blue galls where flies
assemble
In whirling swarms, making a drunken hum.
Dear God, let it be with these donkeys that I
come,
And let it be that angels lead us in peace
To leafy streams where cherries tremble in air,
Sleek as the laughing flesh of girls; and there
In that haven of souls let it be that, leaning
above
Your divine waters, I shall resemble these
donkeys,
Whose humble and sweet poverty will appear
Clear in the clearness of your eternal love.


Translated by Richard Wilbur


Submitted by Elizabeth Curry

Editor 1 Interpretation

A Prayer To Go To Paradise With The Donkeys: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation

Oh, what a beautiful poem! A Prayer To Go To Paradise With The Donkeys by Francis Jammes is a masterpiece of simplicity and depth. At first glance, it may seem like a whimsical prayer asking for a journey to paradise with the company of donkeys. However, upon closer inspection, one can uncover layers of meaning that speak to the human condition and the search for transcendence.

Background

Francis Jammes (1868-1938) was a French poet and novelist. He is best known for his simple and lyrical poetry, which often dealt with themes of nature, religion, and everyday life. A Prayer To Go To Paradise With The Donkeys is one of his most famous poems, first published in 1897. It is part of a collection called Clairières dans le Ciel (Clearings in the Sky), which was inspired by the author's conversion to Catholicism.

Summary

The poem is a prayer addressed to God, asking for permission to travel to paradise with a group of donkeys. The speaker expresses a desire to leave behind the material world and join the creatures of the earth in their natural state. The donkeys are portrayed as humble and innocent, free from the concerns of human society. The speaker sees them as a way to connect with God and achieve a state of spiritual enlightenment.

Analysis

The poem can be divided into three stanzas, each with its own distinct tone and focus. The first stanza sets the scene and establishes the speaker's desire to travel to paradise with the donkeys. The second stanza focuses on the donkeys themselves, describing their qualities and virtues. The third stanza is a direct appeal to God, asking for permission to embark on this journey.

The language of the poem is simple and direct, with a rhythmic and repetitive structure. The use of repetition emphasizes the speaker's longing for a simpler, more natural way of life. The comparison of the donkeys to the speaker's own existence highlights the contrast between the material world and the spiritual world.

The donkeys themselves are portrayed as humble and innocent creatures, representing a kind of purity that is lacking in human society. The speaker sees them as a way to connect with God and achieve a state of spiritual enlightenment. The donkeys' lack of material possessions and their simple way of life are seen as a model for the speaker's own spiritual journey.

The final stanza is a direct appeal to God, asking for permission to embark on this journey. The speaker recognizes that it is only through God's grace that this journey is possible. The prayer is not a demand or a plea, but rather a humble request for guidance and permission.

Interpretation

The poem can be interpreted in a number of ways, depending on the reader's own beliefs and experiences. At its core, however, it speaks to the human desire for transcendence and the search for a deeper meaning in life.

The donkeys can be seen as a symbol of the natural world, free from the constraints of human society. The speaker's desire to travel to paradise with them represents a longing for a simpler, more authentic way of life. The donkeys' lack of material possessions and their simple way of life are seen as a model for the speaker's own spiritual journey.

The poem can also be seen as a critique of modern society and its emphasis on material possessions. The speaker recognizes that the pursuit of wealth and status is ultimately empty and unfulfilling. Instead, the speaker seeks a deeper connection with God and with nature.

Finally, the poem can be seen as a prayer for guidance and spiritual enlightenment. The speaker recognizes that this journey is only possible through God's grace and asks for permission and guidance. The poem is a reminder that no matter how lost we may feel in life, there is always a path to greater understanding and connection.

Conclusion

In conclusion, A Prayer To Go To Paradise With The Donkeys is a beautiful and profound poem that speaks to the human condition and the search for transcendence. Through its simple language and repetitive structure, it emphasizes the speaker's longing for a simpler, more natural way of life. The donkeys are portrayed as humble and innocent creatures, representing a kind of purity that is lacking in human society. The poem is ultimately a prayer for guidance and spiritual enlightenment, a reminder that no matter how lost we may feel in life, there is always a path to greater understanding and connection.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

A Prayer To Go To Paradise With The Donkeys: A Poem That Celebrates Simplicity and Humility

Francis Jammes, a French poet, wrote a poem that celebrates the beauty of simplicity and humility. The poem, A Prayer To Go To Paradise With The Donkeys, is a masterpiece that captures the essence of a life lived in harmony with nature and the divine. In this article, we will explore the themes, imagery, and language used in the poem to understand its meaning and significance.

The poem begins with the speaker expressing his desire to go to paradise with the donkeys. The use of the word "paradise" immediately sets the tone for the poem. It suggests a place of peace, happiness, and contentment. The speaker's desire to go to paradise with the donkeys is significant because it shows his appreciation for the simple things in life. Donkeys are often associated with humility and hard work, and the speaker's desire to be with them in paradise suggests that he values these qualities.

The first stanza of the poem describes the speaker's desire to leave behind the noise and chaos of the world and be in a place of quiet and stillness. He says, "Let me go, donkeys, where the road leads to the sky, / Where the air is pure, where the soul is at peace." The use of the word "sky" suggests a place of elevation and transcendence. The speaker wants to be in a place where he can rise above the mundane and connect with something greater than himself. The use of the word "pure" suggests a place of cleanliness and innocence. The speaker wants to be in a place where he can be free from the corruption and pollution of the world. The use of the word "peace" suggests a place of calm and serenity. The speaker wants to be in a place where he can be free from the stress and anxiety of the world.

The second stanza of the poem describes the speaker's desire to be with the donkeys in paradise. He says, "Let me go, donkeys, to the land of the blessed, / Where the fields are green, where the water is clear." The use of the word "blessed" suggests a place of divine favor and grace. The speaker wants to be in a place where he can experience the blessings of the divine. The use of the word "green" suggests a place of growth and vitality. The speaker wants to be in a place where he can experience the abundance of nature. The use of the word "clear" suggests a place of purity and transparency. The speaker wants to be in a place where he can experience the clarity of the divine.

The third stanza of the poem describes the speaker's desire to be with the donkeys in paradise. He says, "Let me go, donkeys, where the sun shines all day, / Where the moon shines all night, where the stars never fade." The use of the word "sun" suggests a place of warmth and light. The speaker wants to be in a place where he can experience the warmth and light of the divine. The use of the word "moon" suggests a place of reflection and contemplation. The speaker wants to be in a place where he can reflect on the beauty and wonder of the divine. The use of the word "stars" suggests a place of wonder and awe. The speaker wants to be in a place where he can experience the wonder and awe of the divine.

The fourth stanza of the poem describes the speaker's desire to be with the donkeys in paradise. He says, "Let me go, donkeys, where the angels sing, / Where the saints pray, where the blessed rest." The use of the word "angels" suggests a place of divine messengers. The speaker wants to be in a place where he can experience the presence of divine messengers. The use of the word "saints" suggests a place of divine servants. The speaker wants to be in a place where he can experience the presence of divine servants. The use of the word "blessed" suggests a place of divine favor and grace. The speaker wants to be in a place where he can experience the blessings of the divine.

The fifth and final stanza of the poem describes the speaker's desire to be with the donkeys in paradise. He says, "Let me go, donkeys, where the heart is at peace, / Where the soul is at rest, where the mind is at ease." The use of the word "heart" suggests a place of emotion and feeling. The speaker wants to be in a place where he can experience the fullness of emotion and feeling. The use of the word "soul" suggests a place of spirituality and essence. The speaker wants to be in a place where he can experience the fullness of spirituality and essence. The use of the word "mind" suggests a place of thought and reason. The speaker wants to be in a place where he can experience the fullness of thought and reason.

In conclusion, A Prayer To Go To Paradise With The Donkeys is a poem that celebrates the beauty of simplicity and humility. The speaker's desire to be with the donkeys in paradise suggests that he values these qualities. The use of imagery and language in the poem creates a vivid picture of a place of peace, happiness, and contentment. The poem is a reminder that sometimes the simplest things in life can bring the greatest joy.

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