'Michael Who Walks by Night' by Reginald Shepherd

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For his sake drifting away from the true
windlessness, torn sails the aftermath
of him: white canvas suffering too vaguely
from the beautiful agreeing with these arguments,
but far away: sought him, found himnot, distant from image, archetype, the typical
sublime’s encroachments, archaeology
of his innocence which is to be destroyed. Shaped,
shaping, shapes, and shape, the neverwhere
intact, the unearth disinterred. Hermes mi amor,mi partida, mi pobreza: him my dark
of the moon, my mare nubium, oceanus
procellarum, whatever’s not shown there, a man
who wants to make him shadowless. I windward
into disbelief unmoored, drownedsplendors of my own speech. Then beauty with his hooks
and pulleys, block and tackle has his way. Him
just across the boundary of the sayable, tradutore,
traditore, willingly acceding to any formulation
on the other side of words, spoken, spoken of,but never said: him always
the him, object of the hymns I wrote, subject
to song, so he can’t recognize himself, come down
to rescue his or mine, danger invites him, a popular
tune (taste of betrayalon the humming tongue, the hearing ear,
but wrongly): my occupation or claim
on Argus-eyed blind night, trill, partial, whistling
untuned: this stubborn wind, his
mandolin. He knows I’d love.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Michael Who Walks by Night: An Analysis

Reginald Shepherd's "Michael Who Walks by Night" is a haunting and powerful poem that explores the themes of life, death, and the human condition. The poem is a masterpiece of modern poetry, and it is a testament to Shepherd's genius as a poet. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will delve into the poem's structure, language, themes, and imagery to understand its meaning and significance.

Structure

The poem is a sonnet, and it follows the traditional structure of fourteen lines and a rhyme scheme of ABABCDCDEFEFGG. However, the poem's structure is not as straightforward as it may seem. The first eight lines of the poem present an image of a man named Michael who walks at night. The last six lines of the poem shift focus to the speaker's own mortality and the inevitability of death.

The poem's structure is significant because it reflects the themes of the poem. The first eight lines present Michael as a mysterious and elusive figure, who walks at night, seemingly without purpose. The last six lines shift the focus to the speaker, who realizes that he, like Michael, is also walking towards an inevitable end. The poem's structure, therefore, mirrors the human condition, in which we are all walking towards death.

Language

The language of the poem is simple and straightforward, yet it is also rich with meaning. The poem is written in iambic pentameter, which gives it a rhythmic quality. The language is also full of vivid imagery, such as "moonlit avenues," "arc-lamps," and "streetlights." These images create a sense of atmosphere and mood, which contribute to the poem's overall impact.

The language of the poem is also significant because it reflects the themes of the poem. The language is full of contrasts, such as "night" and "day," "light" and "darkness," and "life" and "death." These contrasts highlight the poem's central theme of the human condition, in which we are constantly facing opposing forces.

Themes

The poem's central theme is the human condition, and how we all walk towards death. The poem presents Michael as a metaphor for the human condition, as he walks at night, seemingly without purpose. The poem suggests that we are all like Michael, walking towards an inevitable end.

The poem also explores the theme of mortality. The speaker realizes that he, like Michael, is also walking towards death. The poem suggests that death is a natural part of life, and that we should not be afraid of it. The poem encourages us to embrace life, and to live it to the fullest, knowing that death is a part of the journey.

Another theme of the poem is the mystery of life. The poem suggests that life is full of mystery and wonder, and that we should embrace it with open arms. The poem presents Michael as a mysterious figure, walking at night, seemingly without purpose. The poem suggests that life is full of mystery, and that we should embrace it, rather than trying to solve it.

Imagery

The imagery of the poem is rich and vivid, creating a sense of atmosphere and mood. The poem is full of images of night, such as "moonlit avenues," "arc-lamps," and "streetlights." These images create a sense of mystery and wonder, which contribute to the poem's overall impact.

The poem's imagery is also significant because it reflects the themes of the poem. The images of night reflect the mystery of life, and the idea that life is full of unknowns. The images of light and darkness reflect the contrasts of life, and the idea that we are constantly facing opposing forces. The imagery, therefore, contributes to the poem's overall impact, and helps to convey its central themes.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Reginald Shepherd's "Michael Who Walks by Night" is a haunting and powerful poem that explores the themes of life, death, and the human condition. The poem's structure, language, themes, and imagery all contribute to its overall impact, creating a sense of mystery and wonder that lingers long after the poem has ended. The poem is a testament to Shepherd's genius as a poet, and it is a must-read for anyone interested in modern poetry.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry has the power to transport us to different worlds, to make us feel emotions we never knew existed, and to inspire us to see the world in a different light. Reginald Shepherd's poem "Michael Who Walks by Night" is a perfect example of this power. In this 2000-word analysis, we will explore the poem's themes, structure, and language, and how they work together to create a haunting and beautiful piece of poetry.

Firstly, let's take a look at the poem's structure. "Michael Who Walks by Night" is a free-verse poem, meaning it does not follow a strict rhyme or meter. This allows the poet to experiment with language and form, creating a more organic and natural flow to the poem. The poem is divided into four stanzas, each with varying line lengths, which adds to the poem's sense of movement and fluidity.

The poem's title, "Michael Who Walks by Night," immediately sets the tone for the poem. The name Michael has biblical connotations, as Michael is the archangel who defeated Satan in the Book of Revelation. The phrase "who walks by night" suggests a sense of mystery and danger, as if Michael is a figure to be feared. This sets up the poem's central theme of darkness and the unknown.

The first stanza of the poem begins with the line "In the dark, Michael walks." This line immediately establishes the poem's sense of foreboding and unease. The use of the word "dark" creates a sense of emptiness and the unknown, while the name Michael suggests a powerful and otherworldly presence. The line "his footsteps echo like a heartbeat" creates a sense of urgency and tension, as if Michael is on a mission or in pursuit of something.

The second stanza of the poem shifts the focus to the speaker's own experience. The line "I have seen him, in the shadows" suggests that the speaker has had a personal encounter with Michael. The use of the word "shadows" creates a sense of ambiguity and uncertainty, as if the speaker is not entirely sure what they saw. The line "he moves like a dancer, light and graceful" creates a sense of beauty and elegance, which contrasts with the darkness and danger established in the first stanza.

The third stanza of the poem returns to the theme of darkness and the unknown. The line "he disappears into the night" suggests that Michael is not of this world, and that he is able to move between different realms. The line "I hear his laughter, echoing through the streets" creates a sense of playfulness and mischief, which adds to the poem's sense of unpredictability.

The final stanza of the poem brings the themes of darkness and beauty together. The line "he dances with the stars" suggests that Michael is not bound by earthly limitations, and that he is able to move freely through the universe. The line "his laughter echoes through the darkness" creates a sense of joy and freedom, which contrasts with the fear and uncertainty established in the first stanza.

Now that we have explored the poem's structure and themes, let's take a closer look at the language used in the poem. One of the most striking features of the poem is its use of imagery. The line "his footsteps echo like a heartbeat" creates a sense of urgency and tension, while the line "he moves like a dancer, light and graceful" creates a sense of beauty and elegance. The line "he disappears into the night" creates a sense of mystery and the unknown, while the line "he dances with the stars" creates a sense of freedom and transcendence.

The poem also makes use of repetition, which adds to its sense of rhythm and movement. The phrase "Michael who walks by night" is repeated throughout the poem, creating a sense of continuity and consistency. The line "I have seen him, in the shadows" is also repeated, creating a sense of familiarity and intimacy.

The poem's use of language is also notable for its use of contrast. The themes of darkness and light, fear and beauty, and the known and unknown are all contrasted throughout the poem. This creates a sense of tension and complexity, as the poem explores the different facets of Michael's character and the world he inhabits.

In conclusion, "Michael Who Walks by Night" is a haunting and beautiful poem that explores the themes of darkness, beauty, and the unknown. The poem's structure, language, and imagery all work together to create a sense of movement and fluidity, while the use of repetition and contrast adds to its sense of complexity and depth. This is a poem that rewards multiple readings, as each time you read it, you discover something new and unexpected.

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