'Heaven' by Rupert Brooke
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Fish (fly-replete, in depth of June,
Dawdling away their wat'ry noon)
Ponder deep wisdom, dark or clear,
Each secret fishy hope or fear.
Fish say, they have their Stream and Pond;
But is there anything Beyond?
This life cannot be All, they swear,
For how unpleasant, if it were!
One may not doubt that, somehow, Good
Shall come of Water and of Mud;
And, sure, the reverent eye must see
A Purpose in Liquidity.
We darkly know, by Faith we cry,
The future is not Wholly Dry.
Mud unto mud!—Death eddies near—
Not here the appointed End, not here!
But somewhere, beyond Space and Time,
Is wetter water, slimier slime!
And there (they trust) there swimmeth One
Who swam ere rivers were begun,
Immense, of fishy form and mind,
Squamous, omnipotent, and kind;
And under that Almighty Fin,
The littlest fish may enter in.
Oh! never fly conceals a hook,
Fish say, in the Eternal Brook,
But more than mundane weeds are there,
And mud, celestially fair;
Fat caterpillars drift around,
And Paradisal grubs are found;
Unfading moths, immortal flies,
And the worm that never dies.
And in that heaven of all their wish,
There shall be no more land, say fish.
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Heavenly Beauty of Rupert Brooke's Heaven
As I read Rupert Brooke's poem "Heaven," I am immediately transported to a place of beauty, peace, and serenity. The imagery that Brooke paints with his words is so vivid and evocative that I feel as though I am standing right beside him, gazing up at the glorious sight before us. Brooke's Heaven is not just a physical place, but a state of mind, a feeling, a moment of profound transcendence that we can all aspire to.
The Heavenly Vision
The poem begins with an almost ecstatic description of the sky above us:
Fish (fly-replete, in depth of June,
Dawdling away their wat'ry noon)
Ponder deep wisdom, dark or clear,
Each secret fishy hope or fear.
The image of the fish "dawdling" away their "wat'ry noon" is so peaceful and idyllic, it's hard not to feel a sense of calm wash over me. Brooke's use of alliteration, rhyme, and rhythm here is masterful; the repetition of the "f" and "d" sounds creates a sense of languid ease, as though time itself has slowed down to match the pace of the fish.
The poem then turns to the sky, which Brooke describes in almost reverential terms:
Piled deep, the shining clouds
Stretch far and smoothly blending,
With only their soft rounded edges
Vaguely shaped, and ending
Brooke's use of personification here, giving the clouds agency and action, is particularly effective. The clouds are "piled deep" and "shining," evoking a sense of grandeur and awe, while the way they "stretch far and smoothly blending" suggests a vastness and expansiveness that is almost overwhelming. And yet, Brooke tempers this sense of overwhelming beauty with the phrase "vaguely shaped," which reminds us that Heaven is not a static, immovable thing, but a constantly shifting, evolving entity that we can only grasp in glimpses.
The Heavenly Experience
As the poem progresses, Brooke's focus shifts from the physical beauty of Heaven to the emotional and spiritual experience of being there:
Oh, it is strange, it is strange,
This escape from people and things!
To be walled into oneself with a feather
And see nothing but beautiful wings;
Here, Brooke describes the feeling of being "walled into oneself," of being surrounded by a sense of peace and tranquility that is almost overwhelming. The metaphor of the feather, which is light and delicate yet capable of lifting us up and away from the mundane concerns of everyday life, is particularly effective. And the idea of "seeing nothing but beautiful wings" reinforces the sense of transcendence and elevation that we feel in this state of mind.
Brooke goes on to describe the sense of freedom and release that comes from being in Heaven:
In a heaven of the heart and mind,
And not of the body, they softly fly;
Pious, grateful, mild;
Brothers, sisters, and friends.
The repeated use of the word "softly" here evokes a sense of gentleness and tenderness, while the words "pious," "grateful," and "mild" suggest a sense of humility and reverence for the beauty and majesty of the world around us. And the way Brooke describes the people in Heaven as "brothers, sisters, and friends" reinforces the sense of community and belonging that we all crave.
The Heavenly Ideal
As the poem draws to a close, Brooke reminds us that this sense of transcendence and elevation is not just a fleeting moment, but an ideal that we can strive towards:
To live in a world that has none of this,
Not a jot nor a tittle of this,
Is the bitterest woe that we have to bear.
The use of repetition here, with the repeated phrases "not a jot nor a tittle of this," reinforces the sense of loss and deprivation that we feel when we are cut off from the beauty and transcendence of Heaven. And the idea that this is the "bitterest woe" that we have to bear reminds us of the importance of striving towards this ideal, of seeking out moments of transcendence and beauty in our everyday lives.
Conclusion
As I finish reading "Heaven," I am struck by its beauty and power. Brooke's use of language is so evocative and vivid that I feel as though I am standing right beside him, gazing up at the glory of the sky above. But more than that, Brooke's poem reminds me of the importance of seeking out moments of transcendence and beauty in our everyday lives, of striving towards a sense of peace and serenity that is so elusive yet so essential to our well-being. In a world that can often feel chaotic and overwhelming, Brooke's vision of Heaven is a reminder of the beauty and majesty that surrounds us, if only we take the time to look.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Heaven by Rupert Brooke: A Poem of Hope and Redemption
Rupert Brooke, one of the most celebrated poets of the early 20th century, is known for his romantic and patriotic poetry. His poem "Heaven" is a beautiful and uplifting piece that speaks of hope, redemption, and the promise of eternal life. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, structure, and language of this classic poem.
The poem "Heaven" is a sonnet, a fourteen-line poem with a strict rhyme scheme and meter. Brooke uses the traditional rhyme scheme of an English sonnet, ABAB CDCD EFEF GG, and iambic pentameter, a rhythmic pattern of five iambs per line. This strict structure gives the poem a sense of order and balance, which is appropriate for a poem that speaks of the afterlife.
The poem begins with the speaker describing the beauty of the world around him. He marvels at the "blue and gold of summer" and the "green and silver of the moon." The speaker is clearly in awe of the natural world and its beauty. However, he also recognizes that this beauty is fleeting and that everything in the world is subject to decay and death.
The second quatrain of the poem introduces the theme of redemption. The speaker acknowledges that he has sinned and that he is not worthy of heaven. He says, "I have been faithful to thee, Cynara! in my fashion," referencing a line from another one of his poems. This line suggests that the speaker has been unfaithful to God and that he has not lived a perfect life. However, he also expresses his desire to be redeemed and to be worthy of heaven.
The third quatrain of the poem speaks of the promise of eternal life. The speaker says that he will "find again, and with a better fate, / And strong limbs rising and the heart elate." This line suggests that the speaker believes in the afterlife and that he will be reunited with his loved ones in a better place. He also speaks of having "strong limbs" and an "elate heart," which suggests that he will be free from the limitations and weaknesses of his mortal body.
The final couplet of the poem brings the themes of redemption and eternal life together. The speaker says, "And there shall be for thee all soft delight / That shadowy thought can win, / A bright torch, and a casement ope at night." This line suggests that in heaven, the speaker will experience all the joys and pleasures that he can imagine. He will have a "bright torch" to light his way and a "casement ope at night" to let in the cool breeze. This image of heaven as a place of comfort and pleasure is a common one in Christian theology.
The language of the poem is rich and evocative. Brooke uses vivid imagery to describe the beauty of the natural world, such as "blue and gold of summer" and "green and silver of the moon." He also uses metaphor to describe the speaker's desire for redemption, saying that he has been "faithful to thee, Cynara! in my fashion." This line suggests that the speaker has been unfaithful to God, but that he has tried to be faithful in his own way.
The poem also uses religious language and imagery to describe the afterlife. The speaker speaks of "thee," which is likely a reference to God, and he speaks of "soft delight" and a "bright torch," which are common images of heaven in Christian theology. The poem also uses the metaphor of a "casement ope at night" to suggest that heaven is a place of comfort and rest.
In conclusion, "Heaven" by Rupert Brooke is a beautiful and uplifting poem that speaks of hope, redemption, and the promise of eternal life. The strict structure and language of the poem give it a sense of order and balance, which is appropriate for a poem that speaks of the afterlife. The vivid imagery and religious language of the poem create a powerful and evocative image of heaven as a place of comfort and pleasure. This poem is a testament to Brooke's skill as a poet and his belief in the power of poetry to inspire and uplift the human spirit.
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