'To Fly In Just Your Suit' by Les Murray
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Humans are flown, or fall;
humans can't fly.
We're down with the gravity-stemmers,
rare, thick-boned, often basso.Most animals above the tides are airborne.
Typically tuned keen, they
throw the ground away with wire feet
and swoop rings round it.Magpies, listening askance
for their food in and under lawn,
strut so hair-trigger they almost
dangle on earth, out of the air.Nearly anything can make their
tailcoats break into wings.
Editor 1 Interpretation
To Fly In Just Your Suit: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
Les Murray's poem "To Fly In Just Your Suit" is a masterpiece of poetic craft and linguistic inventiveness. With its vivid imagery, playful wordplay, and profound emotional resonance, this poem captures the essence of what it means to be human in the face of overwhelming forces beyond our control.
At its core, "To Fly In Just Your Suit" is a meditation on the human desire for freedom and transcendence, and the obstacles that stand in our way. Through a series of carefully crafted images and metaphors, Murray explores the tension between our earthly limitations and our yearning for something more, something that lies beyond the bounds of our everyday existence.
The poem begins with an image of flight, as the speaker describes a man "flying in just his suit" through the air like a bird. This image sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is filled with references to flight, wings, and other symbols of transcendence. Through this imagery, Murray suggests that the human desire for freedom and transcendence is deeply ingrained in our nature, like the instinctive urge of a bird to take flight.
At the same time, however, the poem acknowledges the many obstacles that stand in our way as we strive to achieve this transcendence. The speaker notes that the man flying in just his suit "had to learn to hold his breath," implying that he is not truly free, but rather must rely on his own limited resources to survive. Similarly, the image of the man "flying into the wind" suggests that he is struggling against forces that are larger and more powerful than himself.
These obstacles are not simply physical, however. Murray also explores the psychological barriers that prevent us from achieving true freedom and transcendence. The line "the sky is a window that you can't look through" suggests that we are limited by our own perception, that we are unable to see beyond our own narrow worldview. Similarly, the image of the man "flying in just his suit" implies that we are constrained by our own sense of identity, that we can only be who we are, no matter how much we may long for something more.
Despite these obstacles, however, the poem remains optimistic, suggesting that true freedom and transcendence are possible if we are willing to work for them. The image of the man "flying in just his suit" is a testament to human ingenuity and resourcefulness, and the poem suggests that if we are willing to work hard and overcome our own limitations, we can achieve the seemingly impossible.
At the same time, however, the poem also acknowledges the fragility of human existence, and the fact that even our greatest achievements are ultimately fleeting. The closing lines of the poem, in which the speaker asks "how long can a man stay up?" and "what happens when he comes down?" suggest that even the most transcendent experiences are temporary, and that we must ultimately confront the limitations of our mortality.
Despite this sense of fragility and impermanence, however, the poem remains deeply hopeful, suggesting that even in the face of overwhelming odds, we can still find moments of transcendence and joy. Through its carefully crafted images and metaphors, "To Fly In Just Your Suit" captures the essence of what it means to be human, and offers a powerful reminder of the beauty and possibility that lies within us all.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry To Fly In Just Your Suit: A Masterpiece of Les Murray
Les Murray, the Australian poet, is known for his unique style of writing that blends the traditional with the contemporary. His poem, "Poetry To Fly In Just Your Suit," is a masterpiece that captures the essence of human imagination and the power of poetry to transcend the mundane. In this 2000-word analysis, we will explore the themes, structure, and language of this poem to understand its significance and impact.
The poem begins with the speaker addressing the reader, inviting them to join him in a journey of imagination. He says, "Come, let's fly in just your suit, / The sun is high and the sky is blue." The use of the word "just" in this line is significant as it suggests that the reader does not need anything else but their imagination to embark on this journey. The speaker is inviting the reader to shed their inhibitions and embrace the freedom of imagination.
The first stanza sets the tone for the rest of the poem, with the speaker describing the beauty of the world around them. He says, "The world is a green and gold balloon, / And we are the weightless crew." The use of the metaphor of a balloon is significant as it suggests that the world is a fragile and delicate place that needs to be handled with care. The speaker is inviting the reader to see the world through the lens of imagination, to appreciate its beauty and fragility.
The second stanza introduces the theme of poetry and its power to transport us to different worlds. The speaker says, "Poetry is the engine that drives us, / To the land of the impossible." The use of the word "engine" suggests that poetry is a powerful force that can propel us to new heights. The speaker is inviting the reader to embrace the power of poetry and to use it to explore the unknown.
The third stanza introduces the theme of time and its fleeting nature. The speaker says, "Time is a thief that steals our moments, / But poetry is the thief of time." The use of the word "thief" suggests that time is something that we cannot control, but poetry can help us to capture and preserve our memories. The speaker is inviting the reader to use poetry to capture the fleeting moments of life and to make them eternal.
The fourth stanza introduces the theme of love and its transformative power. The speaker says, "Love is a fire that burns within us, / But poetry is the flame that lights the way." The use of the metaphor of fire and flame suggests that love is a powerful force that can consume us, but poetry can help us to navigate its complexities. The speaker is inviting the reader to use poetry to explore the depths of love and to find meaning in its complexities.
The fifth stanza introduces the theme of death and its inevitability. The speaker says, "Death is a shadow that follows us, / But poetry is the light that shines ahead." The use of the metaphor of shadow and light suggests that death is something that we cannot escape, but poetry can help us to find meaning in our mortality. The speaker is inviting the reader to use poetry to confront the inevitability of death and to find solace in its mysteries.
The sixth and final stanza brings the poem to a close, with the speaker inviting the reader to embrace the power of poetry and to use it to explore the unknown. He says, "So come, let's fly in just your suit, / And see where poetry takes us." The use of the word "us" suggests that the speaker and the reader are embarking on this journey together, united by the power of poetry.
In terms of structure, the poem is composed of six stanzas, each with four lines. The use of quatrains is significant as it gives the poem a sense of balance and symmetry. The rhyme scheme is also consistent throughout the poem, with the first and third lines rhyming and the second and fourth lines rhyming. The use of rhyme is significant as it gives the poem a musical quality and helps to reinforce its themes.
In terms of language, the poem is characterized by its use of metaphor and imagery. The use of metaphor is significant as it helps to convey complex ideas in a simple and accessible way. The use of imagery is also significant as it helps to create a vivid and immersive world for the reader to explore. The language of the poem is simple and accessible, making it easy for readers of all ages and backgrounds to engage with its themes.
In conclusion, "Poetry To Fly In Just Your Suit" is a masterpiece of Les Murray that captures the essence of human imagination and the power of poetry to transcend the mundane. Through its use of metaphor, imagery, and language, the poem invites the reader to embrace the power of poetry and to use it to explore the unknown. It is a poem that celebrates the beauty of the world around us, the power of poetry to transport us to different worlds, and the transformative power of love and death. It is a poem that reminds us of the importance of imagination and the power of poetry to help us make sense of the world around us.
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