'The Guardian Angel Of The Private Life' by Jorie Graham
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All this was written on the next day's list.
On which the busyness unfurled its cursive roots,
pale but effective,
and the long stem of the necessary, the sum of events,
built-up its tiniest cathedral...
(Or is it the sum of what takes place? )
If I lean down, to whisper, to them,
down into their gravitational field, there where they head busily on
into the woods, laying the gifts out one by one, onto the path,
hoping to be on the air,
hoping to please the children --
(and some gifts overwrapped and some not wrapped at all) -- if
I stir the wintered ground-leaves
up from the paths, nimbly, into a sheet of sun,
into an escape-route-width of sun, mildly gelatinous where wet, though mostly
crisp,
fluffing them up a bit, and up, as if to choke the singularity of sun
with this jubilation of manyness, all through and round these passers-by --
just leaves, nothing that can vaporize into a thought,
no, a burning bush's worth of spidery, up-ratcheting, tender-cling leaves,
oh if -- the list gripped hard by the left hand of one,
the busyness buried so deep into the puffed-up greenish mind of one,
the hurried mind hovering over its rankings,
the heart -- there at the core of the drafting leaves -- wet and warm at the
zero of
the bright mock-stairwaying-up of the posthumous leaves -- the heart,
formulating its alleyways of discovery,
fussing about the integrity of the whole,
the heart trying to make time and place seem small,
sliding its slim tears into the deep wallet of each new event
on the list
then checking it off -- oh the satisfaction -- each check a small kiss,
an echo of the previous one, off off it goes the dry high-ceilinged
obligation,
checked-off by the fingertips, by the small gust called done that swipes
the unfinishable's gold hem aside, revealing
what might have been, peeling away what should . . .
There are flowerpots at their feet.
There is fortune-telling in the air they breathe.
It filters-in with its flashlight-beam, its holy-water-tinted air,
down into the open eyes, the lampblack open mouth.
Oh listen to these words I'm spitting out for you.
My distance from you makes them louder.
Are we all waiting for the phone to ring?
Who should it be? What fountain is expected to
thrash forth mysteries of morning joy? What quail-like giant tail of
promises, pleiades, psalters, plane-trees,
what parapets petalling-forth the invisible
into the world of things,
turning the list into its spatial-form at last,
into its archival many-headed, many-legged colony . . .
Oh look at you.
What is it you hold back? What piece of time is it the list
won't cover? You down there, in the theater of
operations -- you, throat of the world -- so diacritical --
(are we all waiting for the phone to ring?) --
(what will you say? are you home? are you expected soon?) --
oh wanderer back from break, all your attention focused
-- as if the thinking were an oar, this ship the last of some
original fleet, the captains gone but some of us
who saw the plan drawn-out
still here -- who saw the thinking clot-up in the bodies of the greater men,
who saw them sit in silence while the voices in the other room
lit-up with passion, itchings, dreams of landings,
while the solitary ones,
heads in their hands, so still,
the idea barely forming
at the base of that stillness,
the idea like a homesickness starting just to fold and pleat and knot-itself
out of the manyness -- the plan -- before it's thought,
before it's a done deal or the name-you're-known-by --
the men of x, the outcomes of y -- before --
the mind still gripped hard by the hands
that would hold the skull even stiller if they could,
that nothing distract, that nothing but the possible be let to filter
through,
the possible and then the finely filamented hope, the filigree,
without the distractions of wonder --
oh tiny golden spore just filtering-in to touch the good idea,
which taking-form begins to twist,
coursing for bottom-footing, palpating for edge-hold, limit,
now finally about to
rise, about to go into the other room -- and yet
not having done so yet, not yet -- the
intake -- before the credo, before the plan --
right at the homesickness -- before this list you hold
in your exhausted hand. Oh put it down.
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Guardian Angel Of The Private Life by Jorie Graham
As I read Jorie Graham’s classic poem, The Guardian Angel Of The Private Life, I am struck by the depth and complexity of the themes that she explores. At its core, this poem is a meditation on the nature of privacy and the ways in which we struggle to protect ourselves from the intrusions of the outside world. But it is also a powerful commentary on the human condition, touching on issues of mortality, identity, and the search for meaning in a seemingly chaotic world.
The Poem’s Structure and Imagery
One of the things that struck me about this poem is its structure. Graham has divided it into several sections, each containing a series of short, fragmented lines that seem to echo the disjointed nature of our lives. At times, these lines seem almost randomly arranged, as if they are fragments of thoughts that have been jumbled together. Yet, when taken as a whole, they create a powerful sense of unity and coherence.
Throughout the poem, Graham employs a vivid and evocative imagery that serves to heighten the emotional impact of her words. She speaks of “the dark, dark water,” “the blackest of the black,” and “the silence, like a great stone.” These images create a sense of foreboding and tension, underscoring the fragility of our private lives and the constant threat of intrusion from the outside world.
The Themes of Privacy and Mortality
At its core, The Guardian Angel Of The Private Life is a meditation on the nature of privacy and the ways in which we struggle to protect ourselves from the intrusions of the outside world. Graham speaks of “the privacy of the self,” and the ways in which it is constantly under threat from “the outside world, which is always pressing in.” She also touches on the idea that our sense of privacy is intimately tied to our mortality. We seek to protect ourselves from the world precisely because we know that we will one day die.
Graham’s exploration of these themes is both profound and deeply personal. She speaks of “the fear of death,” and the ways in which it can drive us to seek refuge in our private lives. Yet, she also acknowledges that this refuge is often an illusion, and that our private selves are constantly exposed to the world around us.
The Search for Meaning and Identity
Another theme that runs throughout The Guardian Angel Of The Private Life is the search for meaning and identity in a chaotic and uncertain world. Graham speaks of “the great weight of confusion,” and the ways in which it can leave us feeling lost and alone. Yet, she also suggests that this confusion can be a source of growth and transformation.
Throughout the poem, Graham grapples with the question of identity, asking what it means to be a human being in a world that is constantly changing. She speaks of “the self that is always becoming,” and the need to embrace the uncertainty and ambiguity of our lives.
The Role of the Guardian Angel
Finally, I was struck by the role of the guardian angel in this poem. Graham speaks of “the guardian angel / of the private life,” and the ways in which it can help us to protect ourselves from the outside world. Yet, she also suggests that this angel is not necessarily a benevolent force. It can be harsh and unforgiving, demanding that we confront the realities of our lives and the world around us.
Throughout the poem, Graham uses the guardian angel as a metaphor for the forces that shape our lives, both external and internal. She speaks of “the angel inside us,” and the ways in which it can drive us to seek meaning and purpose in the face of adversity.
Conclusion
In conclusion, The Guardian Angel Of The Private Life is a powerful and deeply moving poem that speaks to the fundamental questions of human existence. Through its vivid imagery, complex structure, and profound themes, Graham invites us to grapple with the nature of privacy, mortality, identity, and the search for meaning in a world that is constantly changing. It is a work of art that will continue to resonate with readers for generations to come.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Guardian Angel Of The Private Life: An Analysis
Jorie Graham's poem, The Guardian Angel Of The Private Life, is a masterpiece of modern poetry. It is a complex and multi-layered work that explores the themes of identity, self-discovery, and the role of the individual in society. The poem is a journey through the mind of the speaker, who is struggling to find her place in the world and to understand the nature of her own existence.
The poem is divided into four sections, each of which explores a different aspect of the speaker's journey. The first section, titled "The Guardian Angel of the Private Life," sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The speaker describes a dream in which she is visited by a guardian angel who tells her that she is "the one who must be saved." This sets up the central conflict of the poem: the speaker's struggle to find her place in the world and to understand her own identity.
The second section, titled "The World as Will and Representation," explores the speaker's relationship to the world around her. The speaker describes the world as a "representation" of reality, a construct that is created by the human mind. She questions the nature of reality and wonders if it is possible to ever truly know the world as it is.
The third section, titled "The Self as a Process of Becoming," delves deeper into the speaker's struggle with identity. She describes herself as a "process of becoming," constantly changing and evolving. She questions the nature of the self and wonders if it is possible to ever truly know oneself.
The final section, titled "The Angel of History," brings the poem to a close. The speaker reflects on the past and the role that history plays in shaping the present. She questions the idea of progress and wonders if it is possible to ever truly move forward.
Throughout the poem, Graham uses a variety of literary techniques to convey the speaker's journey. The use of imagery is particularly effective, with the speaker describing her dreams and visions in vivid detail. The use of repetition is also notable, with certain phrases and images recurring throughout the poem.
One of the most striking aspects of the poem is its use of language. Graham's writing is dense and complex, with multiple layers of meaning and symbolism. The poem is filled with allusions to literature, philosophy, and history, making it a challenging but rewarding read.
At its core, The Guardian Angel Of The Private Life is a meditation on the nature of the self and the role of the individual in society. It is a deeply personal work that speaks to the universal human experience of trying to find one's place in the world. The poem is a testament to the power of poetry to explore the deepest questions of human existence and to offer insights into the human condition.
In conclusion, The Guardian Angel Of The Private Life is a masterpiece of modern poetry that deserves to be read and studied by anyone interested in the power of language to explore the deepest questions of human existence. Graham's writing is dense and complex, but it rewards careful reading and offers insights into the nature of the self and the role of the individual in society. This poem is a testament to the power of poetry to explore the deepest questions of human existence and to offer insights into the human condition.
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