'Sabbaths, W.I.' by Derek Walcott
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Those villages stricken with the melancholia of Sunday,
in all of whose ocher streets one dog is sleeping
those volcanoes like ashen roses, or the incurable sore
of poverty, around whose puckered mouth thin boys are
selling yellow sulphur stone
the burnt banana leaves that used to dance
the river whose bed is made of broken bottles
the cocoa grove where a bird whose cry sounds green and
yellow and in the lights under the leaves crested with
orange flame has forgotten its flute
gommiers peeling from sunburn still wrestling to escape the sea
the dead lizard turning blue as stone
those rivers, threads of spittle, that forgot the old music
that dry, brief esplanade under the drier sea almonds
where the dry old men sat
watching a white schooner stuck in the branches
and playing draughts with the moving frigate birds
those hillsides like broken pots
those ferns that stamped their skeletons on the skin
and those roads that begin reciting their names at vespers
mention them and they will stop
those crabs that were willing to let an epoch pass
those herons like spinsters that doubted their reflections
inquiring, inquiring
those nettles that waited
those Sundays, those Sundays
those Sundays when the lights at the road's end were an occasion
those Sundays when my mother lay on her back
those Sundays when the sisters gathered like white moths
round their street lantern
and cities passed us by on the horizon
Anonymous submission.
Editor 1 Interpretation
"Sabbaths, W.I." by Derek Walcott: A Deep Dive into Caribbean Culture and Identity
When it comes to Caribbean literature, Derek Walcott is a name that cannot be ignored. The Nobel laureate poet, playwright, and painter has left a lasting impact on the literary world with his works that explore the complexities of Caribbean identity, culture, and history. "Sabbaths, W.I." is one such poem that showcases Walcott's mastery of language and his ability to paint vivid pictures with words.
A Brief Overview of the Poem
"Sabbaths, W.I." is a poem that is divided into three sections, each representing a different time of day during a Sabbath in the West Indies. The first section describes the morning, the second describes noon, and the third describes the evening. The poem is written in free verse and does not follow a strict rhyme or meter scheme. Instead, Walcott uses enjambment and repetition to create a sense of continuity and rhythm.
The Morning Sabbath
The first section of the poem begins with the speaker describing the morning Sabbath. The opening lines, "The white cocks are crowing, / and the morning is no shepherd's warning" immediately set the scene and create a sense of anticipation. The use of "white cocks" is significant as it highlights the presence of colonialism and the influence of Western culture on the Caribbean.
As the poem progresses, we see the speaker describe the sights and sounds of the morning Sabbath. He talks about "the ringing of church bells" and "the sound of hymns." These images create a sense of community and togetherness as people gather to worship and celebrate. The repetition of the phrase "We are" also emphasizes this sense of unity.
However, the morning Sabbath is not just about worship. It is also a time for work as we see in the lines, "The ploughman has his furrow, / the seedsman is spreading his seed." The use of agricultural imagery highlights the importance of farming in the Caribbean and the hard work that goes into it.
The Noon Sabbath
The second section of the poem describes the noon Sabbath. The opening lines, "The sun is a burning bush, / the sea is blue as hyacinths," create a stark contrast between the heat of the sun and the coolness of the sea. This contrast is significant as it reflects the duality of Caribbean identity, caught between the heat of its history and the coolness of its present.
As the poem progresses, we see the speaker describe the different activities that take place during the noon Sabbath. He talks about "the fishermen's voices" and "the sound of conch shells." These images create a sense of liveliness and activity, as people come together to socialize and enjoy the day.
However, the noon Sabbath is also a time of reflection as we see in the lines, "And we remember the faces / of those who have died." The use of the word "remember" highlights the importance of remembering the past and the people who have shaped it. This emphasis on memory is significant as it reflects the importance of history and heritage in Caribbean culture.
The Evening Sabbath
The third section of the poem describes the evening Sabbath. The opening lines, "The sun is a bronze shield, / and the evening sea is cold," create a sense of finality and impending darkness. The use of "bronze shield" also highlights the strength and resilience of Caribbean culture.
As the poem progresses, we see the speaker describe the different activities that take place during the evening Sabbath. He talks about "the sound of drums" and "the laughter of children." These images create a sense of joy and celebration as people come together to dance and enjoy the night.
However, the evening Sabbath is also a time of reflection as we see in the lines, "And we think of the future, / and the past that is still present." The use of "still present" highlights the idea that the past is not something that can be forgotten or ignored, but rather something that continues to shape the present and the future.
Themes and Interpretation
One of the key themes of "Sabbaths, W.I." is the idea of Caribbean identity and culture. Through his use of imagery and language, Walcott showcases the complexities of Caribbean identity, caught between the heat of its history and the coolness of its present. He also emphasizes the importance of memory and heritage in shaping Caribbean culture.
Another theme of the poem is the idea of community and togetherness. Through his descriptions of the different activities that take place during the Sabbath, Walcott emphasizes the importance of coming together to celebrate and enjoy life.
Finally, the poem also touches on the idea of time and its impact on Caribbean culture. The use of the "morning," "noon," and "evening" to structure the poem emphasizes the cyclical nature of time and the way in which the past, present, and future are intertwined.
Overall, "Sabbaths, W.I." is a powerful poem that showcases Walcott's mastery of language and his ability to explore complex themes and ideas. It is a testament to the richness and complexity of Caribbean culture and identity, and a celebration of the beauty and joy of life.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Sabbaths, W.I. by Derek Walcott is a classic poem that captures the essence of the Caribbean and its people. The poem is a celebration of the Sabbath day, a day of rest and reflection, and the beauty of the West Indies. Walcott's use of vivid imagery, rich language, and powerful metaphors creates a powerful and evocative portrait of the Caribbean and its people.
The poem is divided into four sections, each of which captures a different aspect of the Sabbath day. The first section, "A wind is ruffling the tawny pelt", describes the natural beauty of the Caribbean landscape. Walcott uses vivid imagery to paint a picture of the wind blowing through the trees, the waves crashing on the shore, and the sun setting over the horizon. The language is rich and evocative, with phrases like "the sea dappled with shadows" and "the sun slides into the long water". These images create a sense of peace and tranquility, and set the tone for the rest of the poem.
The second section, "The bees are flying", focuses on the natural world and the role of bees in pollinating flowers. Walcott uses the metaphor of the bees to represent the people of the Caribbean, who are hardworking and dedicated to their communities. The language is simple and direct, with phrases like "the bees are flying" and "the bees are making honey". These images create a sense of industry and productivity, and highlight the importance of community and cooperation.
The third section, "The small ants crawl", shifts the focus to the smallest creatures in the natural world. Walcott uses the metaphor of the ants to represent the individual members of the Caribbean community, who are often overlooked but are essential to the functioning of society. The language is precise and detailed, with phrases like "the small ants crawl" and "the ants make their own roads". These images create a sense of order and structure, and highlight the importance of individual effort and contribution.
The final section, "The hawks hover", brings the poem full circle by returning to the natural world. Walcott uses the metaphor of the hawks to represent the power and majesty of the Caribbean landscape, and the resilience of its people. The language is bold and assertive, with phrases like "the hawks hover in their kingdoms" and "the hawks hang motionless in the air". These images create a sense of strength and determination, and highlight the enduring spirit of the Caribbean people.
Throughout the poem, Walcott uses a variety of literary devices to enhance the imagery and create a sense of rhythm and flow. The use of alliteration, assonance, and repetition creates a musical quality to the language, and helps to reinforce the themes of the poem. For example, in the first section, the repetition of the "w" sound in "wind is ruffling the tawny pelt" creates a sense of movement and energy, while the repetition of the "s" sound in "sea dappled with shadows" creates a sense of calm and tranquility.
In addition to its literary qualities, Sabbaths, W.I. is also a deeply political poem. Walcott uses the natural world as a metaphor for the struggles of the Caribbean people, who have faced centuries of colonialism, slavery, and exploitation. The bees, ants, and hawks represent the different aspects of Caribbean society, from the hardworking laborers to the powerful elites. By celebrating the Sabbath day, Walcott is also celebrating the resilience and strength of the Caribbean people, who have survived and thrived despite centuries of oppression.
Overall, Sabbaths, W.I. is a powerful and evocative poem that captures the essence of the Caribbean and its people. Walcott's use of vivid imagery, rich language, and powerful metaphors creates a portrait of the Caribbean that is both beautiful and complex. The poem is a celebration of the Sabbath day, but it is also a celebration of the resilience and strength of the Caribbean people, who have faced centuries of struggle and oppression. Sabbaths, W.I. is a classic poem that continues to resonate with readers today, and it is a testament to the enduring power of poetry to capture the beauty and complexity of the world around us.
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