'When The Light Appears' by Allen Ginsberg
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You'll bare your bones you'll grow you'll pray you'll only know
When the light appears, boy, when the light appears
You'll sing & you'll love you'll praise blue heavens above
When the light appears, boy, when the light appears
You'll whimper & you'll cry you'll get yourself sick and sigh
You'll sleep & you'll dream you'll only know what you mean
When the light appears, boy, when the light appears
You'll come & you'll go, you'll wander to and fro
You'll go home in despair you'll wonder why'd you care
You'll stammer & you'll lie you'll ask everybody why
You'll cough and you'll pout you'll kick your toe with gout
You'll jump you'll shout you'll knock you're friends about
You'll bawl and you'll deny & announce your eyes are dry
You'll roll and you'll rock you'll show your big hard cock
You'll love and you'll grieve & one day you'll come believe
As you whistle & you smile the lord made you worthwhile
You'll preach and you'll glide on the pulpit in your pride
Sneak & slide across the stage like a river in high tide
You'll come fast or come on slow just the same you'll never know
When the light appears, boy, when the light appears
May 3, 1987, 2:30 AM
Editor 1 Interpretation
When The Light Appears by Allen Ginsberg
When The Light Appears by Allen Ginsberg is a classic poem that was first published in 1984, in his collection titled "Collected Poems 1947-1980." The poem is written in free verse and is composed of 66 lines. It is a deeply spiritual and philosophical poem that explores themes of enlightenment, transcendence, and the nature of reality. In this literary criticism and interpretation, I will explore the various literary devices, themes, and symbols that Ginsberg employs in When The Light Appears.
Form and Structure
One of the most striking aspects of When The Light Appears is its form and structure. The poem is written in free verse and does not adhere to any particular rhyme scheme or meter. Instead, Ginsberg employs a loose, conversational style that allows him to explore complex philosophical ideas in a relaxed, informal tone. The poem is divided into several stanzas of varying lengths, which are further divided into shorter lines. This structure gives the poem a sense of movement and progression, as if the speaker is gradually working his way towards a deeper understanding of the world.
The Speaker
The speaker in When The Light Appears is clearly Ginsberg himself. The poem is written in the first person and is deeply personal in tone. The speaker is on a quest for enlightenment, and he describes his experiences of transcendence and mystical revelation in vivid detail. The speaker's voice is passionate and intense, and he often employs repetition and other rhetorical devices to convey his sense of urgency.
Themes
The central theme of When The Light Appears is the search for enlightenment. The speaker is on a journey to transcend his earthly existence and achieve a state of spiritual enlightenment. He describes his experiences of "cosmic consciousness" and the "eternal now" in vivid detail, painting a picture of a world beyond the limitations of time and space. The speaker also explores the nature of reality, questioning the existence of the material world and the true nature of consciousness. He suggests that the world we perceive may be nothing more than an illusion, and that true reality lies beyond the veil of our everyday perceptions.
Symbols
In When The Light Appears, Ginsberg employs a number of symbols to convey his message. One of the most important symbols is that of light. Throughout the poem, the speaker describes his experiences of "blinding light" and "radiant glow," which he associates with enlightenment and transcendence. The light is a symbol of spiritual awakening, a beacon that guides the speaker towards a deeper understanding of reality.
Another important symbol in the poem is that of the "eternal now." This phrase is used to describe a state of being in which time has no meaning. It is a symbol of the speaker's quest for transcendence, a state in which he is free from the limitations of time and space.
Literary Devices
Ginsberg employs a number of literary devices in When The Light Appears, including repetition, alliteration, and imagery. Repetition is used throughout the poem to emphasize key ideas and create a sense of rhythm and flow. For example, the phrase "when the light appears" is repeated several times throughout the poem, reinforcing its importance as a symbol of transcendence.
Alliteration is also used to create a sense of musicality and rhythm. For example, in the line "I saw the sun fly out of the sky," the repeated "s" sound creates a sense of movement and energy.
Finally, Ginsberg employs vivid imagery to convey his message. For example, he describes the "thousand-petaled lotus of the heart" and the "blinding radiance of the sun." These images are evocative and powerful, helping to bring the speaker's experiences of transcendence to life.
Interpretation
When The Light Appears is a deeply spiritual and philosophical poem that explores complex ideas of transcendence and the nature of reality. The speaker is on a quest for enlightenment, and he describes his experiences of cosmic consciousness and the eternal now in vivid detail. Through his use of symbols, literary devices, and powerful imagery, Ginsberg creates a sense of urgency and passion in the speaker's voice, conveying the importance of his quest for transcendence.
At its core, When The Light Appears is a poem about the human quest for meaning and purpose. It is a poem that encourages us to look beyond the limitations of our everyday perceptions and seek a deeper understanding of the world around us. It is a poem that celebrates the power of the human spirit to transcend the limitations of time and space and achieve a state of spiritual enlightenment. And it is a poem that reminds us of the importance of our own spiritual journeys, and the beauty and wonder that can be found when we open ourselves up to the mysteries of the universe.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
When The Light Appears: An Analysis of Allen Ginsberg's Classic Poem
Allen Ginsberg is one of the most celebrated poets of the Beat Generation, known for his raw and honest style of writing. His poem, When The Light Appears, is a classic example of his work, and has been studied and analyzed by literary enthusiasts for decades. In this article, we will delve into the meaning and significance of this powerful poem.
The poem begins with the line, "When the light appears, I'll dance the jig of joy." This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is filled with a sense of hope and optimism. The speaker is eagerly anticipating the arrival of the light, which is a metaphor for enlightenment or spiritual awakening. The use of the word "jig" adds a playful and lighthearted tone to the poem, suggesting that the speaker is not afraid of the challenges that come with spiritual growth.
As the poem progresses, the speaker describes the various ways in which the light might appear. He imagines it as a "golden sunburst" or a "silver moonbeam," suggesting that enlightenment can come in many different forms. The use of these vivid and colorful images adds to the sense of wonder and excitement that permeates the poem.
The speaker also acknowledges that the path to enlightenment is not an easy one. He describes the "darkness" and "fear" that he must face in order to reach the light. However, he remains optimistic, stating that he will "laugh and sing" even in the face of adversity. This suggests that the speaker is not afraid of the challenges that come with spiritual growth, and is willing to embrace them in order to reach his goal.
One of the most powerful lines in the poem is, "I'll dance with Buddha, Krishna, and the saints of old." This line suggests that the speaker is not alone on his journey towards enlightenment. He is joined by the great spiritual leaders of the past, who have also experienced the challenges and joys of spiritual growth. This sense of community and connection is a recurring theme in Ginsberg's work, and is a testament to his belief in the power of human connection.
The poem ends with the line, "When the light appears, I'll know my work is done." This line suggests that enlightenment is not the end goal, but rather a stepping stone towards something greater. The speaker has completed his work, but there is still more to be done. This sense of ongoing growth and development is a key theme in Ginsberg's work, and is a reminder that spiritual growth is a lifelong journey.
Overall, When The Light Appears is a powerful and inspiring poem that speaks to the human desire for spiritual growth and enlightenment. The use of vivid imagery and playful language adds to the sense of wonder and excitement that permeates the poem, while the acknowledgement of the challenges that come with spiritual growth adds depth and complexity. The sense of community and connection that is present throughout the poem is a testament to Ginsberg's belief in the power of human connection, and is a reminder that we are all on this journey together.
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