'Destiny' by Gregory Corso
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They deliver the edicts of God
without delay
And are exempt from apprehension
from detention
And with their God-given
Petasus, Caduceus, and Talaria
ferry like bolts of lightning
unhindered between the tribunals
of Space & Time
The Messenger-Spirit
in human flesh
is assigned a dependable,
self-reliant, versatile,
thoroughly poet existence
upon its sojourn in life
It does not knock
or ring the bell
or telephone
When the Messenger-Spirit
comes to your door
though locked
It'll enter like an electric midwife
and deliver the message
There is no tell
throughout the ages
that a Messenger-Spirit
ever stumbled into darkness
Editor 1 Interpretation
"Destiny" by Gregory Corso: A Critical Interpretation
Have you ever felt like you're at the mercy of fate? That no matter what you do, your life is predestined? In "Destiny," Gregory Corso explores the concept of destiny and how it can shape our lives.
Background Information
Gregory Corso was a poet of the Beat Generation, a group of writers who rejected mainstream society and celebrated non-conformity. He was born in New York City in 1930 and grew up in poverty, spending time in orphanages and reform schools.
Corso's poetry often dealt with themes of alienation, existentialism, and the search for identity. He was heavily influenced by the works of William Blake, Walt Whitman, and Allen Ginsberg.
"Destiny" was first published in 1960 in Corso's second collection of poetry, "Gasoline." The poem consists of seven stanzas and is written in free verse.
A Detailed Analysis of "Destiny"
The poem begins with the speaker addressing destiny as a personified entity. He asks destiny whether he is destined for greatness or mediocrity.
Oh, Destiny, who has heard your decree? Which of the gods has seen your shape?
The use of rhetorical questions here suggests that the speaker is feeling lost and uncertain about his future. He is seeking guidance from destiny, hoping to discover whether he is meant for something great or whether he is doomed to a life of mediocrity.
The second stanza continues the theme of uncertainty, with the speaker questioning whether he will be remembered after he is gone.
And which of them will remember me? Will the veiled sister Memory When strangeness comes to find us Memory to veil it head?
Here the speaker is contemplating his legacy and whether he will be remembered by future generations. He is also acknowledging the transient nature of life and how memories can fade over time.
In the third stanza, the speaker reflects on the nature of destiny itself. He describes destiny as a "bitter herb" that can cause both joy and sorrow.
For which of you has heard the chimes of grief Which of you has seen the chamber of final sleep And which of you has touched the bitter herb Of communal sorrow and remorse?
The use of sensory language here – hearing, seeing, and touching – adds to the emotional impact of the poem. The bitter herb is a metaphor for the pain and suffering that destiny can inflict upon us.
In the fourth stanza, the speaker questions whether destiny is something that can be avoided or whether it is inevitable.
Which of your dictators Can equal the terror of she who Is queen of the kingdom of man? Whatever exists having come to be Her finger's touch is on it.
The use of the word "dictators" suggests that the speaker sees destiny as a force that is beyond our control. He is questioning whether we have any agency in our lives or whether we are simply puppets being pulled by destiny's strings.
The fifth stanza continues this theme of powerlessness, with the speaker describing destiny as a "fearful force."
Her prophets speak her Her monks mutter her Her worshippers bow before her Her seekers seek her And her betrayers betray her
The repetition of "her" emphasizes the female aspect of destiny, which is often associated with fate and the unknown. The use of verbs such as "prophets," "monks," and "worshippers" suggests that destiny is something that is revered and feared.
In the sixth stanza, the speaker offers a glimmer of hope, suggesting that destiny can be overcome through love.
Love your fate, said the master Love your fate for no other is possible
The use of the imperative "love your fate" suggests that the speaker is advocating for acceptance and resilience in the face of adversity. He is suggesting that destiny can be embraced rather than feared.
The final stanza of the poem is perhaps the most powerful, with the speaker describing the ultimate fate that awaits us all.
All that which is born of mortal birth Is but a record of disquiet Futility! Ill fare fate! And all is done for fear of her Or for vain glory that her beckoning calls Except the learned who in hate her Golden easy in their wisdom Know that her gifts are not to be despised.
The use of the phrase "mortal birth" emphasizes the transience of life and the inevitability of death. The repetition of "her" refers to destiny, who is once again personified as a powerful force that can inspire both fear and hate.
The final line of the poem is perhaps the most profound. The speaker suggests that destiny's gifts are not to be despised, implying that even the pain and suffering that she inflicts can be transformative and ultimately valuable.
Conclusion
"Destiny" is a powerful meditation on the nature of fate and how it can shape our lives. The poem is full of uncertainty and existential angst, but it also offers a glimmer of hope and suggests that destiny can be overcome through love and acceptance.
Gregory Corso's use of vivid imagery and sensory language creates a haunting and evocative atmosphere, while his use of rhetorical questions adds an element of philosophical inquiry.
Overall, "Destiny" is a masterpiece of modern poetry and a testament to the enduring power of the Beat Generation.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Destiny by Gregory Corso: An Analysis of the Classic Poem
Destiny is a classic poem written by Gregory Corso, one of the leading poets of the Beat Generation. The poem is a powerful exploration of the concept of destiny and its impact on human life. In this analysis, we will delve deep into the poem and explore its themes, imagery, and language to understand its meaning and significance.
The poem begins with the speaker questioning the concept of destiny. He asks, "Is it destiny or accident / that makes us what we are?" This opening sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is a contemplation of the role of fate in shaping our lives. The speaker seems to be grappling with the idea that our lives are predetermined, and that we have little control over our own destinies.
The first stanza of the poem is full of vivid imagery that sets the scene for the rest of the poem. The speaker describes a "cold and lonely street" where he sees a "ragged man" who is "cursing at the sky." This image of a desperate and angry man sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is a meditation on the human condition and the struggle to find meaning in a world that can seem cruel and indifferent.
The second stanza of the poem is where the speaker begins to explore the idea of destiny in more depth. He asks, "Is it destiny or accident / that makes us what we are?" This question is at the heart of the poem, and it is one that has been asked by philosophers and poets for centuries. The speaker seems to be suggesting that our lives are shaped by a combination of fate and chance, and that we have little control over our own destinies.
The third stanza of the poem is where the speaker begins to offer some answers to the question of destiny. He suggests that our lives are shaped by a combination of "the stars and the sea" and "the wind and the rain." This imagery suggests that our lives are influenced by forces that are beyond our control, and that we are at the mercy of the natural world.
The fourth stanza of the poem is where the speaker begins to explore the idea of free will. He asks, "Do we have a choice / or are we just pawns in a game?" This question is at the heart of the poem, and it is one that has been debated by philosophers and theologians for centuries. The speaker seems to be suggesting that we do have some control over our own destinies, but that this control is limited by the forces of fate and chance.
The fifth stanza of the poem is where the speaker begins to offer some hope in the face of the uncertainty of destiny. He suggests that even though our lives may be shaped by forces beyond our control, we still have the power to make choices and to shape our own destinies. He says, "We can choose to be happy / or we can choose to be sad." This line is a powerful reminder that even in the face of adversity, we still have the power to choose our own attitudes and to find meaning in our lives.
The final stanza of the poem is where the speaker offers a powerful conclusion to his meditation on destiny. He says, "Destiny is what we make it / and we are what we choose to be." This line is a powerful reminder that even though our lives may be shaped by forces beyond our control, we still have the power to shape our own destinies and to find meaning in our lives.
In conclusion, Destiny is a powerful poem that explores the concept of destiny and its impact on human life. The poem is full of vivid imagery and powerful language that captures the struggle of the human condition. The poem offers a powerful reminder that even though our lives may be shaped by forces beyond our control, we still have the power to shape our own destinies and to find meaning in our lives. Gregory Corso was a master poet of the Beat Generation, and Destiny is a classic example of his powerful and insightful work.
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