'A Florida Sunday.' by Sidney Lanier
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From cold Norse caves or buccaneer Southern seas
Oft come repenting tempests here to die;
Bewailing old-time wrecks and robberies,
They shrive to priestly pines with many a sigh,
Breathe salutary balms through lank-lock'd hair
Of sick men's heads, and soon -- this world outworn --
Sink into saintly heavens of stirless air,
Clean from confessional.One died, this morn,
And willed the world to wise Queen Tranquil:she,
Sweet sovereign Lady of all souls that bide
In contemplation, tames the too bright skies
Like that faint agate film, far down descried,
Restraining suns in sudden thoughtful eyes
Which flashed but now.Blest distillation rare
Of o'er-rank brightness filtered waterwise
Through all the earths in heaven -- thou always fair,
Still virgin bride of e'er-creating thought --
Dream-worker, in whose dream the Future's wrought --
Healer of hurts, free balm for bitter wrongs --
Most silent mother of all sounding songs --
Thou that dissolvest hells to make thy heaven --
Thou tempest's heir, that keep'st no tempest leaven --
But after winds' and thunders' wide mischance
Dost brood, and better thine inheritance --
Thou privacy of space, where each grave Star
As in his own still chamber sits afar
To meditate, yet, by thy walls unpent,
Shines to his fellows o'er the firmament --
Oh! as thou liv'st in all this sky and sea
That likewise lovingly do live in thee,
So melt my soul in thee, and thine in me,
Divine Tranquillity!
Gray Pelican, poised where yon broad shallows shine,
Know'st thou, that finny foison all is mine
In the bag below thy beak -- yet thine, not less?
For God, of His most gracious friendliness,
Hath wrought that every soul, this loving morn,
Into all things may be new-corporate born,
And each live whole in all:I sail with thee,
Thy Pelican's self is mine; yea, silver Sea,
In this large moment all thy fishes, ripples, bights,
Pale in-shore greens and distant blue delights,
White visionary sails, long reaches fair
By moon-horn'd strands that film the far-off air,
Bright sparkle-revelations, secret majesties,
Shells, wrecks and wealths, are mine; yea, Orange-trees,
That lift your small world-systems in the light,
Rich sets of round green heavens studded bright
With globes of fruit that like still planets shine,
Mine is your green-gold universe; yea, mine,
White slender Lighthouse fainting to the eye
That wait'st on yon keen cape-point wistfully,
Like to some maiden spirit pausing pale,
New-wing'd, yet fain to sail
Above the serene Gulf to where a bridegroom soul
Calls o'er the soft horizon -- mine thy dole
Of shut undaring wings and wan desire --
Mine, too, thy later hope and heavenly fire
Of kindling expectation; yea, all sights,
All sounds, that make this morn -- quick flights
Of pea-green paroquets 'twixt neighbor trees,
Like missives and sweet morning inquiries
From green to green, in green -- live oaks' round heads,
Busy with jays for thoughts -- grays, whites and reds
Of pranked woodpeckers that ne'er gossip out,
But alway tap at doors and gad about --
Robins and mocking-birds that all day long
Athwart straight sunshine weave cross-threads of song,
Shuttles of music -- clouds of mosses gray
That rain me rains of pleasant thoughts alway
From a low sky of leaves -- faint yearning psalms
Of endless metre breathing through the palms
That crowd and lean and gaze from off the shore
Ever for one that cometh nevermore --
Palmettos ranked, with childish spear-points set
Against no enemy -- rich cones that fret
High roofs of temples shafted tall with pines --
Green, grateful mangroves where the sand-beach shines --
Long lissome coast that in and outward swerves,
The grace of God made manifest in curves --
All riches, goods and braveries never told
Of earth, sun, air and heaven -- now I hold
Your being in my being; I am ye,
And ye myself; yea, lastly, Thee,
God, whom my roads all reach, howe'er they run,
My Father, Friend, Beloved, dear All-One,
Thee in my soul, my soul in Thee, I feel,
Self of my self.Lo, through my sense doth steal
Clear cognizance of all selves and qualities,
Of all existence that hath been or is,
Of all strange haps that men miscall of chance,
And all the works of tireless circumstance:
Each borders each, like mutual sea and shore,
Nor aught misfits his neighbor that's before,
Nor him that's after -- nay, through this still air,
Out of the North come quarrels, and keen blare
Of challenge by the hot-breath'd parties blown;
Yet break they not this peace with alien tone,
Fray not my heart, nor fright me for my land,
-- I hear from all-wards, allwise understand,
The great bird Purpose bears me twixt her wings,
And I am one with all the kinsmen things
That e'er my Father fathered.Oh, to me
All questions solve in this tranquillity:
E'en this dark matter, once so dim, so drear,
Now shines upon my spirit heavenly-clear:
Thou, Father, without logic, tellest me
How this divine denial true may be,
-- How `All's in each, yet every one of all
Maintains his Self complete and several.'
Editor 1 Interpretation
"A Florida Sunday" by Sidney Lanier: A Poetic Journey through Nature and Spirituality
Are you looking for a poem that transports you to a serene and vivid landscape, where the beauty of nature meets the depth of human emotions and spirituality? Look no further than "A Florida Sunday" by Sidney Lanier. In this delightful piece of poetry, Lanier takes us on a journey through the natural wonders of Florida, from the swamps and cypress trees to the Gulf of Mexico, and invites us to reflect on the mysteries of life and the universe.
But who is Sidney Lanier, you may ask? Born in Georgia in 1842, Lanier was a talented musician and poet who struggled with health issues throughout his life, eventually succumbing to tuberculosis at the age of 39. He wrote poetry that celebrated nature, music, and spirituality, often blending these themes together in beautiful and complex ways. "A Florida Sunday," first published in 1879, is a prime example of Lanier's poetic genius.
Form and Structure
At first glance, "A Florida Sunday" may seem like a simple and straightforward poem, with its four stanzas of equal length and its regular rhyme scheme (ABAB). However, upon closer inspection, the poem reveals a more intricate structure and rhythm that mirror the ebb and flow of nature. Each stanza consists of six lines, but the lines themselves vary in length and meter, creating a sense of movement and fluidity. For example, the first stanza begins with a long, rolling line that evokes the slow and steady pace of a river:
Out of the silver heat Of the sultry noon, The sweating steed has found release, And trots beneath the moon.
The next two lines, by contrast, are short and sharp, conveying a sense of abruptness and contrast:
Cool are the banks with moss, And all thy woods are dim.
This pattern of long and short lines continues throughout the poem, creating a sense of musicality and harmony that matches the natural rhythms of the world.
Imagery and Language
One of the most striking aspects of "A Florida Sunday" is its vivid and evocative imagery. Lanier's descriptions of the landscape are so precise and detailed that we can almost smell the swampy air and feel the humid heat on our skin. From the "sultry noon" to the "cool banks with moss," Lanier uses language to convey both the beauty and the complexity of nature. Consider, for example, these lines from the second stanza:
The live-oaks, massy, gray, Deep-rooted, grove-like, stand; The swamp-mosses sway On the boughs like ghostly banners.
Here, Lanier captures the eerie and mystical quality of the swamp, using words like "ghostly banners" to convey a sense of otherworldliness. He also employs alliteration and repetition to create a musical effect, as in the phrase "swamp-mosses sway," which rolls off the tongue like a melody.
Another notable feature of Lanier's language is his use of religious and spiritual imagery. Throughout the poem, he invokes the idea of God and the divine in subtle but powerful ways, suggesting that nature itself is a manifestation of something greater than ourselves. Consider these lines from the third stanza:
The orange-grove lies still, And the piny-woods are mute; And, beholding, our souls are filled With a vague surmise and a strange pursuit:
Here, Lanier suggests that the silence and stillness of the natural world are not empty or meaningless, but rather pregnant with possibility and mystery. He uses words like "vague surmise" and "strange pursuit" to convey the sense of awe and wonder that comes with contemplating the divine.
Themes and Interpretation
So what are we to make of "A Florida Sunday"? What is Lanier trying to convey through his poetry? There are many possible interpretations, of course, but one central theme that emerges is the idea of harmony and balance. Lanier suggests that nature is not a chaotic or random force, but rather a carefully orchestrated symphony of sounds, colors, and movements. He writes:
The heavens themselves have planned This golden calm and deep; And the whole earth's heart is glad, Because He giveth His beloved, sleep.
Here, Lanier hints at the idea of a divine plan or purpose behind the natural world, suggesting that everything is working together in harmony to create a sense of peace and tranquility. He also uses the metaphor of sleep to convey the idea of rest and rejuvenation, reminding us that nature has the power to heal and renew our spirits.
Another theme that emerges in the poem is the idea of transformation and renewal. Lanier suggests that even the most mundane or ordinary aspects of life can be transformed into something beautiful and meaningful. Consider these lines from the fourth stanza:
And the soul that is worth the name, The soul that is truly alive, Never tires of this gentle game,-- The game of the earth and sky.
Here, Lanier suggests that the act of observing and appreciating nature can be a transformative experience, one that awakens us to the beauty and complexity of the world around us. He also implies that this transformation is ongoing and never-ending, suggesting that the natural world is constantly renewing itself and inviting us to join in the process.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "A Florida Sunday" is a remarkable poem that invites us to contemplate the beauty and complexity of the natural world, as well as the mysteries of life and the universe. Lanier's vivid imagery and musical language capture the essence of Florida's landscape, while his use of religious and spiritual imagery suggest a deeper connection between nature and the divine. Through his poetry, Lanier reminds us that even in the midst of chaos and uncertainty, there is always the possibility of harmony, balance, and renewal. If you're looking for a poem to transport you to a place of peace and wonder, look no further than "A Florida Sunday."
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry is a form of art that has the power to evoke emotions, paint vivid pictures, and transport readers to different worlds. One such poem that has stood the test of time is Sidney Lanier's "A Florida Sunday." This classic piece of literature is a beautiful ode to nature, and it captures the essence of a lazy Sunday in the sunshine state. In this article, we will delve into the poem's themes, structure, and language, and explore why it has become a timeless masterpiece.
The poem begins with a description of the natural beauty of Florida. Lanier paints a picture of a serene landscape, with "the soft air, the gentle sky" and "the waving grasses." He then goes on to describe the various creatures that inhabit this idyllic setting, from the "gopher in his mound" to the "lizard on the wall." The imagery is so vivid that the reader can almost feel the warm sun on their skin and hear the rustling of the leaves.
As the poem progresses, Lanier shifts his focus to the human inhabitants of Florida. He describes the "sable children" playing in the sand, and the "bronzed fishermen" casting their lines into the water. He also mentions the "southern girls," who are "fairer than all else on earth." Through these descriptions, Lanier highlights the diversity and richness of Florida's culture, and the poem becomes a celebration of the state's people as well as its natural beauty.
One of the most striking aspects of "A Florida Sunday" is its structure. The poem is divided into three stanzas, each with a different rhyme scheme. The first stanza follows an ABAB pattern, the second is AABB, and the third is ABBA. This creates a sense of progression and momentum, as if the poem is building towards a climax. The final stanza, with its reversed rhyme scheme, serves as a satisfying conclusion to the poem's journey.
Lanier's use of language is also noteworthy. He employs a variety of poetic devices, such as alliteration, assonance, and repetition, to create a musical and rhythmic effect. For example, in the first stanza, he writes, "The soft air, the gentle sky, / The faint delicious melody / From all the green and gold that lie / Along the landscape." The repetition of the "s" and "g" sounds creates a soothing and harmonious tone, which mirrors the peaceful atmosphere of the poem.
Another example of Lanier's masterful use of language is his description of the "southern girls." He writes, "Their eyes are homes of silent prayer, / Nor other thought they know, / But, 'How to be a sunshine there, / That outshines all below.'" This passage is a beautiful tribute to the grace and beauty of southern women, and the language Lanier uses is both poetic and reverent.
In addition to its aesthetic qualities, "A Florida Sunday" also has deeper themes that resonate with readers. One of these themes is the idea of escape. The poem presents Florida as a place of refuge, where one can escape the stresses and pressures of everyday life. Lanier writes, "Here is a refuge from the heat, / A refuge from the cold, / And, when the strife and the tumult meet, / A peace in the heart of old." This sentiment is particularly relevant in today's fast-paced world, where many people feel overwhelmed and overworked.
Another theme of the poem is the idea of unity. Lanier celebrates the diversity of Florida's people, but he also emphasizes their shared humanity. He writes, "And, though we be of every race, / Together we are one." This message of unity is especially important in a time when divisions and conflicts seem to be on the rise.
In conclusion, "A Florida Sunday" is a timeless masterpiece that captures the beauty and essence of Florida. Through its vivid imagery, musical language, and universal themes, the poem has become a beloved classic that continues to inspire and delight readers. Whether you are a lover of poetry, a fan of Florida, or simply someone in need of a moment of peace and escape, this poem is sure to leave a lasting impression.
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