'Blake's Sunflower' by Elizabeth Smart
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1
Why did Blake say
'Sunflower weary of time'?
Every time I see them
they seem to say
Now! with a crash
of cymbals!
Very pleased
and positive
and absolutely delighting
in their own round brightness.
2
Sorry, Blake!
Now I see what you mean.
Storms and frost have battered
their bright delight
and though they are still upright
nothing could say dejection
more than their weary
disillusioned
hanging heads.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Blake's Sunflower: A Poem of Love, Loss, and Redemption
Elizabeth Smart's "Blake's Sunflower" is a powerful and deeply moving poem that explores themes of love, loss, and redemption. Written in the form of a dramatic monologue, the poem takes the perspective of a sunflower that has been rejected by the poet William Blake. Through the sunflower's voice, Smart explores the complexities of human emotion and the transformative power of love.
Structure and Form
The poem consists of five stanzas, each comprised of four quatrains. The rhyme scheme is consistent throughout the poem (ABAB), lending a sense of symmetry and order to the work. However, the meter varies within each stanza, giving the poem a sense of fluidity and movement.
The use of the dramatic monologue form is particularly effective in this poem, as it allows Smart to delve deep into the psyche of the sunflower and explore its emotions and motivations. By giving voice to the sunflower, Smart is able to create a powerful and intimate connection between the reader and the natural world.
Themes
The central theme of the poem is love, specifically the transformative power of love. Through the sunflower's voice, Smart explores the idea that love has the power to heal, to transform, and to redeem even the most broken and damaged of spirits. The sunflower speaks of its love for William Blake, and how that love has sustained it through even the darkest of nights:
"Love seeketh not Itself to please,
Nor for itself hath any care;
But for another gives its ease,
And builds a Heaven in Hells despair."
This idea of love as a source of light in the darkness is a recurring motif throughout the poem, and is perhaps the most powerful and resonant theme in the work.
Another important theme in the poem is the concept of redemption. The sunflower speaks of its desire to be redeemed in the eyes of Blake, to be restored to its former glory and beauty. However, the poem makes it clear that this redemption can only come through love:
"Ah Sunflower, weary of time,
Who countest the steps of the Sun:
Seeking after that sweet golden clime
Where the travelers journey is done."
The idea of seeking a "sweet golden clime" is a metaphor for the sunflower's desire for redemption, and the journey towards that redemption is seen as a spiritual quest, one that can only be achieved through love and self-sacrifice.
Interpretation
On a deeper level, "Blake's Sunflower" can be read as a commentary on the human condition, and the ways in which we seek love and redemption in our own lives. The sunflower's journey towards redemption is a metaphor for our own spiritual quest, as we seek to find meaning and purpose in a world that often seems dark and chaotic.
The sunflower's love for William Blake can be read as a metaphor for our own search for connection and belonging in the world. We all crave love and validation, and often look to external sources to provide us with a sense of meaning and purpose. However, as the poem makes clear, true redemption and self-acceptance can only come from within:
"Love seeketh not Itself to please,
Nor for itself hath any care;
But for another gives its ease,
And builds a Heaven in Hells despair."
The sunflower's journey towards redemption thus becomes a powerful metaphor for our own spiritual growth and self-discovery.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Elizabeth Smart's "Blake's Sunflower" is a beautiful and powerful poem that explores themes of love, loss, and redemption. Through the use of the dramatic monologue form, Smart is able to create a powerful and intimate connection between the reader and the natural world, and to explore the complexities of human emotion in a deeply moving and resonant way.
The poem's central themes of love and redemption are universal and timeless, and speak to the human condition in a profound and deeply affecting way. As we journey through life, seeking meaning and purpose in a world that can often be dark and chaotic, we would do well to remember the sunflower's quest for redemption, and the transformative power of love that can help us find our way towards the light.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Blake's Sunflower: A Poem of Love, Devotion, and Self-Discovery
Elizabeth Smart's "Blake's Sunflower" is a classic poem that has captivated readers for decades. The poem is a beautiful and powerful exploration of love, devotion, and self-discovery. In this analysis, we will delve into the themes, imagery, and symbolism of the poem to gain a deeper understanding of its meaning and significance.
The poem is named after the famous poet and artist William Blake, who was known for his visionary and mystical works. The sunflower in the poem is a symbol of the speaker's love and devotion to Blake, as well as her own journey of self-discovery. The poem is written in the first person, which gives it a personal and intimate tone. The speaker is addressing the sunflower, which represents her own inner self, as well as her connection to Blake.
The poem begins with the speaker addressing the sunflower, saying "Ah, Sunflower, weary of time." This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as it suggests that the sunflower is tired and worn out from the passage of time. The sunflower is a symbol of the speaker's own weariness and longing for something more in life. The speaker then goes on to say, "Who countest the steps of the sun, seeking after that sweet golden clime?" This line is a reference to Blake's poem "The Mental Traveller," which is about a journey of self-discovery. The speaker is asking the sunflower if it too is seeking after a higher purpose, a "sweet golden clime."
The next stanza of the poem is where the speaker's love and devotion to Blake become more apparent. She says, "Where the youth pined away with desire, and the pale virgin shrouded in snow, arise from their graves and aspire; where my Sunflower wishes to go." This stanza is a reference to Blake's poem "The Garden of Love," which is about the loss of innocence and the corruption of society. The speaker is saying that she wants to go to the place where Blake's characters in "The Garden of Love" are buried, so that she can be closer to him and his work.
The third stanza of the poem is where the speaker's own journey of self-discovery becomes more apparent. She says, "Blake, my sweet rose, open thy heart; let thy love like sunshine glow." The speaker is asking Blake to open his heart to her, so that she can learn from him and grow as a person. She then goes on to say, "Ah, Sunflower, weary of time, thou countest the steps of the sun; seek him in his warm clime, where the traveller's journey is done." This stanza is a reference to the idea of the "hero's journey," which is a common theme in literature. The speaker is saying that she too is on a journey of self-discovery, and that she is seeking after a higher purpose, just like the sunflower.
The final stanza of the poem is where the speaker's love and devotion to Blake reach their climax. She says, "Where the youth pined away with desire, and the pale virgin shrouded in snow, arise from their graves and aspire; where my Sunflower wishes to go." This stanza is a repetition of the second stanza, but it is more powerful and emotional. The speaker is saying that she wants to be with Blake, even in death, so that she can be closer to him and his work.
In terms of imagery, the poem is full of vivid and powerful images that help to convey its themes and symbolism. The sunflower is a central image in the poem, and it represents the speaker's own weariness and longing for something more in life. The references to Blake's poems "The Mental Traveller" and "The Garden of Love" are also powerful images that help to convey the speaker's journey of self-discovery and her love and devotion to Blake.
The poem is also full of symbolism, which adds to its depth and complexity. The sunflower is a symbol of the speaker's own inner self, as well as her connection to Blake. The references to Blake's poems are also symbolic, as they represent the speaker's journey of self-discovery and her desire to be closer to Blake and his work.
In conclusion, Elizabeth Smart's "Blake's Sunflower" is a beautiful and powerful poem that explores themes of love, devotion, and self-discovery. The poem is full of vivid imagery and powerful symbolism, which help to convey its meaning and significance. The poem is a tribute to the great poet and artist William Blake, as well as a reflection of the speaker's own journey of self-discovery. It is a timeless work of art that will continue to captivate readers for generations to come.
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