'On Angels' by Czeslaw Milosz
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All was taken away from you: white dresses,
wings, even existence.
Yet I believe you,
messengers.
There, where the world is turned inside out,
a heavy fabric embroidered with stars and beasts,
you stroll, inspecting the trustworthy seems.
Shorts is your stay here:
now and then at a matinal hour, if the sky is clear,
in a melody repeated by a bird,
or in the smell of apples at close of day
when the light makes the orchards magic.
They say somebody has invented you
but to me this does not sound convincing
for the humans invented themselves as well.
The voice -- no doubt it is a valid proof,
as it can belong only to radiant creatures,
weightless and winged (after all, why not?),
girdled with the lightening.
I have heard that voice many a time when asleep
and, what is strange, I understood more or less
an order or an appeal in an unearthly tongue:
day draw near
another one
do what you can.
Submitted by sophie
Editor 1 Interpretation
On Angels: A Poem by Czeslaw Milosz
Introduction
On Angels is a beautiful and profound poem that was written by Czeslaw Milosz, a Nobel Prize-winning writer. The poem, which was published in 1957, explores the theme of angels and their role in human affairs. It is a masterpiece of modern poetry that combines rich imagery, religious symbolism, and philosophical insights to create a powerful message that resonates with readers of all ages.
In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will delve deep into the poem, unpacking its meaning and significance. We will analyze the various literary devices used by Milosz, such as metaphors, similes, and allusions, to understand how he conveys his ideas. We will also examine the historical and cultural context of the poem to see how it reflects the author's worldview and experiences.
Summary of the Poem
On Angels is a four-part poem that consists of sixty-four lines in total. The poem is written in free verse, with no rhyme or meter. The first part of the poem describes the appearance and nature of angels. Milosz compares angels to birds, saying that they have wings and can fly. He also describes how angels are made of light and how they radiate a sense of peace and purity.
In the second part of the poem, Milosz discusses the various roles that angels play in human affairs. He says that angels are messengers of God and that they bring messages of hope and comfort to people in times of need. He also says that angels are guardians that protect people from harm and guide them towards righteousness.
In the third part of the poem, Milosz reflects on the relationship between humans and angels. He says that humans are often unaware of the presence of angels and that they do not appreciate the help that angels provide. He also says that humans are often too focused on material possessions and earthly concerns to pay attention to the spiritual realm.
In the final part of the poem, Milosz concludes by saying that angels are a symbol of hope and transcendence. He says that even though humans may not always be aware of the presence of angels, they should have faith that they are there, watching over them and guiding them towards the light.
Analysis of the Poem
The first thing that strikes the reader about On Angels is the rich imagery that Milosz uses to describe angels. He compares them to birds, saying that they have wings and can fly. This image of angels as beings that can soar above the earth is a powerful one, as it suggests that angels are not bound by the limitations of the physical world. Milosz also describes how angels are made of light, which gives them a sense of radiance and purity.
The use of light imagery is significant, as it suggests that angels are associated with spiritual enlightenment and transcendence. Milosz also uses the metaphor of angels as messengers of God to reinforce this idea. He says that angels bring messages of hope and comfort to people in times of need, suggesting that they are agents of divine grace and compassion.
The idea of angels as guardians is another powerful metaphor that Milosz uses to convey his message. He says that angels protect people from harm and guide them towards righteousness. This image of angels as protectors and guides is a reassuring one, as it suggests that no matter what challenges we may face in life, we are never alone.
Milosz also reflects on the relationship between humans and angels, suggesting that humans are often unaware of the presence of angels and do not appreciate the help that they provide. He says that humans are often too focused on material possessions and earthly concerns to pay attention to the spiritual realm. This is a powerful critique of modern society, which often values material wealth and status over spiritual growth and enlightenment.
The final part of the poem is perhaps the most powerful of all. Milosz concludes by saying that angels are a symbol of hope and transcendence. He says that even though humans may not always be aware of the presence of angels, they should have faith that they are there, watching over them and guiding them towards the light. This message is one of profound hope and optimism, as it suggests that no matter how difficult our lives may be, there is always the possibility of spiritual growth and transcendence.
Historical and Cultural Context
To fully understand the significance of On Angels, it is important to consider the historical and cultural context in which it was written. Milosz was born in Lithuania in 1911 and lived through some of the most tumultuous times in European history. He witnessed the rise of totalitarian regimes, the devastation of World War II, and the onset of the Cold War.
Milosz was also deeply influenced by his Catholic faith, which he saw as a source of spiritual guidance and moral clarity. This is evident in his writing, which often explores religious themes and symbols. In On Angels, Milosz uses the imagery of angels and the idea of divine grace to explore the human condition and offer a message of hope and transcendence.
Conclusion
On Angels is a masterpiece of modern poetry that explores the theme of angels and their role in human affairs. Milosz uses rich imagery, religious symbolism, and philosophical insights to convey his message, which is one of hope and transcendence. The poem reflects the author's worldview and experiences, as well as the historical and cultural context in which it was written. It is a powerful message that resonates with readers of all ages and backgrounds, offering a sense of hope and optimism in the face of life's challenges.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
On Angels: A Poem of Hope and Faith
Czeslaw Milosz's "On Angels" is a classic poem that speaks to the human spirit's enduring hope and faith in the face of adversity. The poem is a meditation on the nature of angels, those celestial beings that have captured the imagination of humanity for centuries. Milosz's poem is a testament to the power of poetry to inspire and uplift, to remind us of the beauty and mystery of life, and to offer us hope in the face of darkness.
The poem begins with a simple statement: "All was taken away from you: / white dresses, wings, even existence." The speaker is addressing the angels, those beings of light and purity that have been stripped of their divine attributes. The angels have lost everything that made them angels, and yet they continue to exist. This is a powerful metaphor for the human condition, for the way in which we are often stripped of our illusions and our comforts, and yet we continue to persevere.
The poem goes on to describe the angels as "a form, a movement, / a name." The angels have been reduced to their most basic elements, and yet they still possess a kind of beauty and grace. They are no longer the majestic beings of myth and legend, but they are still angels, still imbued with a kind of otherworldly power.
The poem then takes a turn, as the speaker addresses the reader directly: "Without a body, wound, / or voice, you hovered invisible / above the injured world." Here, the speaker is suggesting that the reader is also like an angel, hovering above the world and witnessing its pain and suffering. The reader is asked to imagine themselves as a kind of spiritual being, detached from the physical world and yet intimately connected to it.
The poem then returns to the angels, describing them as "a pure thought, three lines of verse, / music, the vision of a bird." Here, the angels are reduced even further, to their most ephemeral and intangible qualities. They are no longer even a form or a movement, but simply a thought, a piece of music, a fleeting vision. And yet, even in this diminished state, they still possess a kind of transcendent beauty.
The poem then takes a surprising turn, as the speaker suggests that the angels are not just beings of light and purity, but also of darkness and despair: "But your wings, / perhaps they existed in your mind / which is not a body piercing the white air / nor a faculty of hearing / or seeing, but a dimension of darkness / in which stars appear and disappear." Here, the speaker is suggesting that the angels are not just creatures of light, but also of darkness. They exist in a realm beyond our physical senses, a realm of pure thought and imagination.
The poem then concludes with a powerful statement of faith and hope: "On the uncreated conscience of this world / the floating island of your shapeless forms / arises: either fish or bird or star / made of the stuff that never was / and yet must always be." Here, the speaker is suggesting that the angels exist in a realm beyond our understanding, a realm of pure possibility and potential. They are made of "the stuff that never was," and yet they "must always be." This is a powerful statement of faith in the enduring power of the human spirit, in the ability of humanity to transcend its limitations and reach for the stars.
In conclusion, Czeslaw Milosz's "On Angels" is a classic poem that speaks to the human spirit's enduring hope and faith in the face of adversity. The poem is a meditation on the nature of angels, those celestial beings that have captured the imagination of humanity for centuries. Milosz's poem is a testament to the power of poetry to inspire and uplift, to remind us of the beauty and mystery of life, and to offer us hope in the face of darkness. It is a poem that speaks to the human condition, to our ability to persevere in the face of adversity, and to our capacity for transcendence and transformation.
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