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Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

GOD'S COMING, by             Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography


"God's Coming" by Jimmy Santiago Baca is a brief yet deeply evocative poem that explores themes of renewal, the divine in nature, and the fleeting beauty of life. Baca masterfully intertwines the imagery of lilac buds with the concept of God's presence in the natural world, presenting a unique perspective on spirituality and the cyclical nature of existence.

The poem opens with the speaker's anticipation of "the burning books of lilac buds / to flame," a powerful metaphor that equates the blooming of lilacs with the ignition of knowledge, beauty, and perhaps even revelation. The use of the word "burning" suggests both the brilliance and the transient nature of the lilacs' bloom, as well as the intense experience of encountering the divine in the mundane. The speaker's vow to "read them as they are opening before they burn away" reflects a desire to fully engage with and appreciate these moments of beauty and divinity before they inevitably fade, emphasizing the importance of presence and attentiveness to the world around us.

The "silent tombs of lilac bushes" waiting for "God's coming" further deepen the poem's exploration of life, death, and rebirth. Here, the lilac bushes are likened to tombs, suggesting dormancy and death, yet they also hold the promise of resurrection and the return of life with the coming of God. This juxtaposition highlights the cyclical nature of existence, where death is not an end but a precursor to new beginnings.

The final lines of the poem, "Now, He grafts Himself to dirt, piecing Himself together a worm," offer a profound meditation on the nature of the divine and its manifestation in the world. By depicting God as becoming one with the earth and taking the form of a worm, Baca suggests a vision of divinity that is immanent and intimately connected with the processes of life and regeneration. This image challenges traditional notions of God as distant or transcendent, instead presenting a God who is present in the very fabric of the natural world, participating in the cycles of growth, decay, and renewal.

"God's Coming" is a richly layered poem that invites reflection on the connections between the spiritual and the earthly, the eternal and the ephemeral. Through its striking imagery and contemplative tone, the poem encourages readers to find beauty and divinity in the natural world and to remain open to the profound lessons it offers. Baca's work is a testament to the power of poetry to illuminate the sacred in the everyday and to inspire a deeper engagement with the mysteries of existence.

POEM TEXT: https://www.google.com/books/edition/Black_Mesa_Poems/x8A3XWOORoEC?q=jimmy+baca+%22DRIVING+HOME+TONIGHT%22&gbpv=1&bsq=GOD%27S%20COMING#f=false


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