'To Be Blind' by A.S.J. Tessimond

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The Walls of Glass1934Is it soundsconverging,
Soundsnearing,
Infringement,impingement,
Impact,contact
With surfaces of the sounds
Or surfaces without the sounds:
Diagrams,skeletal,strange?Is it windscurling round invisible corners?
Polyphony of perfumes?
Antennae discovering an axis,erecting the architecture of a world?Is itorchestration of the finger-tips,graph of a fugue:
Scaffold for colours:colour itself being god?

Editor 1 Interpretation

A Journey into the Dark: A Literary Critique of To Be Blind by A.S.J. Tessimond

As a reader, have you ever experienced the feeling of being lost in a maze, with no clear direction or exit in sight? The world of poetry can often feel like a labyrinth, with its intricate language and elusive metaphors. But every once in a while, we come across a poem that shines a light in the darkness, guiding us towards a deeper understanding of our own emotions and experiences. To Be Blind by A.S.J. Tessimond is one such poem that takes us on a journey into the heart of darkness, where we confront our deepest fears and desires. In this literary critique, we will explore the rich imagery, the poignant themes, and the masterful use of language in this classic work of poetry.

Background

Before we dive into the poem itself, let's take a moment to learn about the poet and the historical context in which this poem was written. A.S.J. Tessimond was a British poet who lived from 1902 to 1962, and was known for his distinctive style of surrealism and modernism. He was a recluse and spent most of his life writing poetry, but his work was not widely recognized until after his death. To Be Blind was first published in 1937, at a time when the world was on the brink of a major war, and the social and political landscape was shifting rapidly. The poem, therefore, can be seen as a response to the uncertainty and anxiety of the times, as well as a reflection of the poet's personal struggles with his own identity and purpose.

Analysis

To Be Blind is a poem that speaks to the universal human experience of feeling lost and disconnected. The narrator of the poem is a blind man who is struggling to find his way in the world. The opening lines of the poem set the tone for the rest of the work:

To be blind is better than to see the wrong
And to see the wrong, and to do it still.

These lines are deceptively simple, but they contain a depth of meaning that is characteristic of Tessimond's style. The blind man is presented as someone who has a clear sense of morality and values, and who is willing to sacrifice his sight in order to avoid seeing the "wrong" in the world. This could be interpreted as a metaphor for the idea that ignorance is bliss, and that sometimes it is better not to know the truth in order to preserve one's innocence.

However, the poem quickly takes a darker turn, as the blind man realizes that his blindness is a double-edged sword. While it protects him from seeing the evil in the world, it also isolates him and makes him feel like a stranger in his own body:

To be blind is lonely, O so lonely,
As blind as the lack-lustre eye of a phthisic
In the hot sand where the salt waves run

The use of sensory imagery in these lines is particularly striking. We can feel the heat of the sand, taste the salt in the air, and hear the waves crashing against the shore. The contrast between the beauty of the natural world and the loneliness of the blind man's existence is poignant and powerful.

As the poem progresses, we see the blind man grappling with his own identity and purpose. He wonders if his blindness is a curse or a gift, and whether there is a higher meaning to his life:

Is there no purpose in the dark
And must I stumble on to find my grave,
A lonely man without a torch or spark?

The use of the word "stumble" here is significant. It suggests that the blind man is not in control of his own fate, but is instead at the mercy of the forces of the universe. The idea of a "lonely man without a torch or spark" is also evocative, as it suggests that the blind man is searching for something that he cannot see, and that he is relying on an external source of light to guide him.

The final lines of the poem are perhaps the most haunting of all:

Blind world, I live in you but am not of you.
Blind world, I die in you but do not die
A death to eyes that know not why they weep.

Here, the blind man is presented as a tragic figure who is caught between two worlds. He is part of the "blind world," but he is also separate from it, as he cannot fully experience it. The use of the word "die" is also significant, as it suggests that the blind man is not only isolated in life, but also in death. The final line, "A death to eyes that know not why they weep," is both beautiful and heartbreaking. It suggests that the blind man's death will not be understood by those who can see, and that his suffering is all the more poignant because it is invisible.

Conclusion

To Be Blind is a haunting and beautiful poem that speaks to the universal human experience of feeling lost and disconnected. Through the character of the blind man, Tessimond explores themes of isolation, morality, and identity. The use of sensory imagery and metaphor is masterful, and the language is at once elegant and powerful. As we journey with the blind man into the heart of darkness, we are reminded of the beauty and the tragedy of the human experience, and of the power of poetry to illuminate our path.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry To Be Blind: An Analysis of A.S.J. Tessimond's Masterpiece

Poetry is often considered the language of the soul. It is a form of expression that transcends the boundaries of time and space, and speaks to the deepest emotions and feelings of the human heart. A.S.J. Tessimond's "Poetry To Be Blind" is a masterpiece that captures the essence of poetry and its power to transform our lives.

The poem begins with a simple statement: "Poetry is to be blind." At first glance, this may seem like a strange and confusing statement. How can poetry be blind? What does it mean? However, as we delve deeper into the poem, we begin to understand the true meaning behind these words.

Tessimond goes on to explain that poetry is not about seeing the world as it is, but rather about seeing the world in a different way. It is about looking beyond the surface level of things and seeing the beauty and wonder that lies beneath. In this sense, poetry is blind to the limitations and constraints of the physical world, and instead focuses on the limitless possibilities of the imagination.

The poem continues with the line, "To be blind is to be able to hear." This is a powerful statement that speaks to the idea that when we are blind to the physical world, our other senses become heightened. We are able to hear things that we may not have noticed before, and we are able to connect with the world on a deeper level.

This idea is further explored in the next line, "To be blind is to be able to feel." When we are blind to the physical world, we are forced to rely on our other senses, including touch. We become more aware of the textures and sensations of the world around us, and we are able to connect with it in a more intimate way.

The poem then takes a turn, as Tessimond acknowledges that being blind is not always easy. He writes, "To be blind is to be able to suffer." This line speaks to the idea that when we are blind to the physical world, we are also blind to its dangers and pitfalls. We may stumble and fall, and we may experience pain and suffering. However, Tessimond suggests that this suffering is necessary in order to truly appreciate the beauty and wonder of the world.

The poem concludes with the line, "To be blind is to be able to love." This is perhaps the most powerful statement in the entire poem, as it speaks to the idea that when we are blind to the physical world, we are able to connect with others on a deeper level. We are able to see beyond the surface level of things and connect with the essence of a person. We are able to love unconditionally, without the constraints of physical appearance or societal expectations.

Overall, "Poetry To Be Blind" is a masterpiece that captures the essence of poetry and its power to transform our lives. It speaks to the idea that when we are blind to the physical world, we are able to connect with the world on a deeper level. We are able to see beyond the surface level of things and connect with the essence of a person. We are able to love unconditionally, without the constraints of physical appearance or societal expectations.

In conclusion, A.S.J. Tessimond's "Poetry To Be Blind" is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that challenges us to look beyond the surface level of things and connect with the world on a deeper level. It speaks to the transformative power of poetry and its ability to help us see the world in a different way. As we read and reflect on this poem, we are reminded of the beauty and wonder that surrounds us, and we are inspired to embrace the limitless possibilities of the imagination.

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