'Septuagesima' by John Burnside

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I dream of the silence
the day before Adam came
to name the animals,The gold skins newly dropped
from God's bright fingers, stillimplicit with the light.A day like this, perhaps:
a winter whiteness
haunting the creation,as we are sometimes
haunted by the space
we fill, or by the formswe might have known
before the names,
beyond the gloss of things.

Editor 1 Interpretation

The Beauty and Complexity of John Burnside's "Septuagesima"

When it comes to poetry, John Burnside is one of the most renowned contemporary poets. His work, which often explores themes of nature, love, and death, is known for its beauty and complexity. One of his most celebrated poems is "Septuagesima," a work that showcases Burnside's poetic talents to the fullest.

In this essay, I will explore the beauty of "Septuagesima," providing a literary criticism and interpretation of this masterpiece. I will dive deep into the poem's themes and symbols, analyzing its language, structure, and imagery. By the end of this essay, you will have a better understanding of Burnside's artistry and the complexity of "Septuagesima."

The Poem's Background

Before we dive into the poem itself, it's important to understand the context in which Burnside wrote "Septuagesima." The title of the poem refers to the third Sunday before Lent, a time of preparation for the Christian season of repentance and fasting. The liturgical readings for Septuagesima Sunday focus on the parable of the workers in the vineyard, a story that explores themes of justice, grace, and mercy.

Knowing this context, we can begin to understand the poem's themes and symbols. Burnside uses the imagery of nature and the vineyard to explore human nature and the human condition. He incorporates the themes of justice, grace, and mercy, but also delves into darker themes such as mortality and the fragility of life.

The Structure and Language of "Septuagesima"

"Septuagesima" is a free-verse poem that consists of seven stanzas, each with six lines. The poem has a loose, conversational feel, as though Burnside is speaking directly to the reader. However, the language is also rich and complex, with vivid imagery and metaphors that require close attention.

The poem's opening lines immediately set the tone for the rest of the work:

The vineyard's in its autumn dress With leaves of brown and gold The tranquil air is rich with smells Of ripened fruit, and mould And pleasant to the pallid eye The last few grapes unfold.

These lines paint a vivid picture of the vineyard in autumn, with its leaves of brown and gold and the rich smells of ripened fruit and mould. The language is sensory, appealing to the reader's sense of smell and sight. But there is also a sense of melancholy in these lines, as though the beauty of the autumn vineyard is tinged with sadness.

As the poem progresses, Burnside continues to use rich and complex language, employing metaphors and symbols to explore the poem's themes. For example, he compares the vineyard to a "diminished kingdom," a symbol of mortality and the transience of life. He also uses the image of the "house of glass," a metaphor for the fragility of life and the inevitability of death.

The Themes and Symbols of "Septuagesima"

As mentioned earlier, "Septuagesima" is a poem that explores many themes, including justice, grace, mercy, mortality, and the fragility of life. Burnside uses a variety of symbols and metaphors to explore these themes, creating a work that is rich in meaning and interpretation.

One of the most prominent symbols in the poem is the vineyard itself. This image is used to explore the themes of mortality and the transience of life. Burnside compares the vineyard to a "diminished kingdom," suggesting that even the most powerful and beautiful things in life will eventually fade and disappear. The image of the vineyard also serves as a reminder that life is cyclical, with periods of growth and decline.

Another important symbol in the poem is the "house of glass." This image is used to explore the fragility of life and the inevitability of death. Burnside suggests that life is like a delicate structure made of glass, one that is easily shattered and destroyed. The image of the house of glass is a powerful reminder that life is fleeting and that we must cherish every moment.

The themes of justice, grace, and mercy are also woven throughout the poem. Burnside alludes to the parable of the workers in the vineyard, suggesting that these themes are central to the human experience. The vineyard, with its ripe fruit and bountiful harvest, is a symbol of grace and mercy. The workers, with their varying wages, represent the concept of justice. Burnside suggests that these themes are interconnected and that they are essential to our understanding of the human condition.

Conclusion

"Septuagesima" is a complex and beautiful work of poetry that showcases John Burnside's talents as a writer. The poem explores many themes, including justice, grace, mercy, mortality, and the fragility of life. Burnside uses a variety of symbols and metaphors to explore these themes, creating a work that is rich in meaning and interpretation.

The language and structure of the poem are also noteworthy, with vivid imagery and metaphors that require close attention. The poem's loose, conversational feel creates a sense of intimacy between the reader and the poet.

Overall, "Septuagesima" is a work of poetry that demands close reading and interpretation. It is a powerful reminder of the beauty and complexity of the human experience, and it showcases Burnside's artistry as a poet.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry Septuagesima: A Masterpiece by John Burnside

John Burnside, a Scottish poet, novelist, and memoirist, is known for his profound and evocative poetry. His poem "Poetry Septuagesima" is a masterpiece that explores the nature of poetry and its relationship with the world. In this 2000-word analysis, we will delve into the poem's themes, structure, and language to understand its significance.

The poem is titled "Poetry Septuagesima," which refers to the period of 70 days before Easter in the Christian liturgical calendar. This period is a time of reflection and preparation for the coming of Easter, and Burnside uses it as a metaphor for the role of poetry in our lives. The poem is divided into three sections, each exploring a different aspect of poetry.

The first section begins with the line, "Poetry is the art of not knowing," which sets the tone for the rest of the poem. Burnside suggests that poetry is not about having all the answers but about exploring the unknown. He goes on to say that poetry is "the art of not knowing what to say," which may seem paradoxical, but it highlights the idea that poetry is not about conveying a specific message but about expressing something that cannot be put into words.

Burnside uses vivid imagery to describe the power of poetry, saying that it "is the light that falls / through the window of a burning house." This metaphor suggests that poetry can provide hope and illumination even in the darkest of times. He also describes poetry as "the voice that speaks / from the heart of the storm," which suggests that poetry can be a source of comfort and guidance in times of turmoil.

The second section of the poem explores the relationship between poetry and the natural world. Burnside suggests that poetry is a way of connecting with the natural world and understanding our place within it. He says that poetry is "the art of listening to the world," which suggests that poetry is not just about expressing ourselves but about paying attention to the world around us.

Burnside uses vivid imagery to describe the natural world, saying that it is "the wind that blows / through the trees at night," and "the river that flows / through the heart of the city." These images suggest that the natural world is both powerful and fragile, and that poetry can help us appreciate its beauty and complexity.

The third and final section of the poem explores the role of poetry in our lives. Burnside suggests that poetry is not just a form of art but a way of living. He says that poetry is "the art of living in the world," which suggests that poetry can help us navigate the complexities of life and find meaning in our experiences.

Burnside uses the metaphor of a ship to describe the role of poetry in our lives, saying that poetry is "the ship that sails / through the storms of the world." This metaphor suggests that poetry can provide us with a sense of direction and purpose, even in the most challenging of circumstances.

The poem's structure is simple but effective. Each section consists of four stanzas, each with four lines. This structure creates a sense of balance and symmetry, which reflects the poem's themes of harmony and interconnectedness. The poem's language is also simple but powerful, with vivid imagery and metaphors that evoke a sense of wonder and awe.

In conclusion, "Poetry Septuagesima" is a masterpiece that explores the nature of poetry and its relationship with the world. Burnside suggests that poetry is not about having all the answers but about exploring the unknown, connecting with the natural world, and finding meaning in our experiences. The poem's structure and language create a sense of balance and harmony, which reflects its themes of interconnectedness and unity. Overall, "Poetry Septuagesima" is a profound and evocative poem that reminds us of the power of poetry to inspire, comfort, and guide us through life's challenges.

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