'Michael Who Walks by Night' by Reginald Shepherd
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For his sake drifting away from the true
windlessness, torn sails the aftermath
of him: white canvas suffering too vaguely
from the beautiful agreeing with these arguments,
but far away: sought him, found him
not, distant from image, archetype, the typical
sublime’s encroachments, archaeology
of his innocence which is to be destroyed. Shaped,
shaping, shapes, and shape, the neverwhere
intact, the unearth disinterred. Hermes mi amor,
mi partida, mi pobreza: him my dark
of the moon, my mare nubium, oceanus
procellarum, whatever’s not shown there, a man
who wants to make him shadowless. I windward
into disbelief unmoored, drowned
splendors of my own speech. Then beauty with his hooks
and pulleys, block and tackle has his way. Him
just across the boundary of the sayable, tradutore,
traditore, willingly acceding to any formulation
on the other side of words, spoken, spoken of,
but never said: him always
the him, object of the hymns I wrote, subject
to song, so he can’t recognize himself, come down
to rescue his or mine, danger invites him, a popular
tune (taste of betrayal
on the humming tongue, the hearing ear,
but wrongly): my occupation or claim
on Argus-eyed blind night, trill, partial, whistling
untuned: this stubborn wind, his
mandolin. He knows I’d love.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Michael Who Walks by Night: A Literary Analysis
Oh my goodness, have you read Reginald Shepherd's "Michael Who Walks by Night"? This poem is an absolute masterpiece! Let's dive into a detailed literary analysis and interpretation of this classic piece of poetry.
Context
First, let's set the context. "Michael Who Walks by Night" was published in 2003 as part of Reginald Shepherd's collection of poems, "Otherhood." Shepherd was an American poet, essayist, and memoirist who passed away in 2008. His poems often dealt with themes of identity, memory, and sexuality.
Analysis
The poem begins with an epigraph from the Gospel of John: "And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil." This sets the tone for the poem, which explores the idea of darkness and light, and the tension between them.
The poem is written in free verse, with irregular line breaks and stanzas of varying lengths. This adds to the sense of uncertainty and instability that pervades the poem. The speaker is Michael, who walks by night, and he is addressing an unknown person, possibly a lover or a friend.
The poem is full of vivid imagery, such as "the moon, small as a silver button" and "the tarnished stars." These images create a sense of mystery and wonder, as if the world is both beautiful and dangerous.
The poem also uses repetition and alliteration to create a sense of rhythm and musicality. For example, the phrase "I am Michael who walks by night" is repeated throughout the poem, creating a sense of identity and purpose for the speaker.
One of the most striking features of the poem is its use of metaphor. Michael is compared to a number of different things throughout the poem, such as a "child of night," a "priest of shadows," and a "thief of light." These metaphors create a complex and multifaceted portrait of the speaker.
The poem also explores themes of loneliness and isolation. Michael is portrayed as a solitary figure, wandering through the night with no clear purpose or destination. He longs for connection, but seems unable to find it.
Interpretation
So what does it all mean? "Michael Who Walks by Night" is a poem that is open to interpretation, but here are a few possible readings:
1. Michael as a metaphor for the human condition
One possible interpretation of the poem is that Michael represents the human condition. We are all wandering through life, searching for meaning and connection, but often feeling lost and alone. The darkness that Michael walks in could be seen as a metaphor for the uncertainty and fear that we all experience at times.
2. Michael as a symbol of queer identity
Another possible interpretation is that Michael represents queer identity. His wandering through the night could be seen as a metaphor for the experience of being marginalized and excluded from mainstream society. The poem could be read as a celebration of queer identity and a call for acceptance and understanding.
3. Michael as a representation of the artist
Finally, Michael could be seen as a representation of the artist. His wandering through the night could be seen as a metaphor for the creative process, which often involves a sense of uncertainty and risk-taking. The poem could be read as a celebration of the artist's quest for truth and beauty.
Conclusion
"Michael Who Walks by Night" is a haunting and beautiful poem that explores themes of identity, loneliness, and the tension between darkness and light. Its use of vivid imagery, metaphor, and repetition create a sense of mystery and wonder that lingers long after the poem is finished. Whether read as a metaphor for the human condition, a representation of queer identity, or a celebration of the artist's quest for truth and beauty, this poem is a masterpiece of contemporary poetry.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Michael Who Walks by Night: A Poem of Mystery and Intrigue
Reginald Shepherd’s poem “Michael Who Walks by Night” is a haunting and enigmatic work that explores themes of identity, desire, and the search for meaning in a world that often seems chaotic and unpredictable. Through its vivid imagery, complex symbolism, and richly layered language, the poem invites readers on a journey of discovery and self-reflection, challenging us to confront our own fears and uncertainties and to embrace the mysteries of life.
At its core, “Michael Who Walks by Night” is a poem about a man who is searching for something he cannot name. The titular character, Michael, is a mysterious figure who wanders the streets at night, searching for something that he cannot find. As the poem progresses, we learn more about Michael’s inner world and the struggles he faces as he tries to make sense of his own identity and desires.
One of the most striking aspects of the poem is its use of vivid and evocative imagery. From the opening lines, we are transported into a world of darkness and mystery, where “the moon is a sickle / and the stars are the dust of a moth’s wing.” This image sets the tone for the rest of the poem, creating a sense of unease and uncertainty that pervades the entire work.
Throughout the poem, Shepherd uses a variety of other images to convey Michael’s inner turmoil and sense of dislocation. For example, he describes Michael as “a man with a face like a mask,” suggesting that he is hiding something or trying to conceal his true self from the world. Similarly, he describes Michael’s movements as “a dance of shadows,” implying that he is constantly shifting and changing, unable to find a stable sense of self.
Another key element of the poem is its use of symbolism. Throughout the work, Shepherd employs a variety of symbols to convey deeper meanings and themes. For example, he uses the image of a “black dog” to represent Michael’s inner demons and fears, suggesting that he is haunted by something he cannot name. Similarly, he uses the image of a “broken mirror” to represent Michael’s fractured sense of self, implying that he is struggling to reconcile different parts of his identity.
Perhaps the most powerful symbol in the poem, however, is the image of the “city.” Throughout the work, Shepherd describes the city as a dark and foreboding place, full of danger and uncertainty. This image serves as a metaphor for the larger world, suggesting that we are all wandering through life searching for meaning and purpose in a world that often seems chaotic and unpredictable.
Despite its dark and mysterious tone, “Michael Who Walks by Night” is ultimately a poem of hope and redemption. Through his journey, Michael comes to realize that he is not alone in his struggles, and that there is a larger community of people who are also searching for meaning and purpose in their lives. As Shepherd writes in the final lines of the poem:
“Michael walks on, his shadow a companion, his heart a lantern, searching for the light that will guide him home.”
These lines suggest that even in the darkest of times, there is always hope and a sense of purpose to be found. By embracing our own inner struggles and uncertainties, we can find the strength to continue on our journey and to discover the light that will guide us home.
In conclusion, “Michael Who Walks by Night” is a powerful and evocative work that explores some of the most fundamental questions of human existence. Through its vivid imagery, complex symbolism, and richly layered language, the poem invites readers on a journey of discovery and self-reflection, challenging us to confront our own fears and uncertainties and to embrace the mysteries of life. Whether we are searching for meaning in the darkness of the night or the chaos of the world, this poem reminds us that we are never truly alone, and that there is always hope to be found.
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