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Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained | |||
"Saint Matthew, Publican" by Daniel Berrigan is a compact yet profound poem that explores themes of mortality, the corrupting influence of power, and spiritual awakening. Through the figure of Saint Matthew, a tax collector who became one of Jesus Christ's apostles, Berrigan delves into the transformation that occurs when one abandons worldly authority for spiritual truth. The poem opens with a meditation on the image of Caesar's face on a coin, a symbol of earthly power and wealth. Berrigan notes that this face, immortalized in metal, "tastes no death," suggesting the illusion of permanence and invulnerability that comes with such power. However, the poet quickly undermines this illusion, stating that if the coin could "turn full face it would lie, full in face." This line implies that the truth behind the symbol of power is fundamentally deceptive and hollow; it cannot withstand the full scrutiny of truth. "No god but Caesar says the gold eye that lights, like hell nothing to buy" further critiques the idolatry of power and wealth, likening it to the false illumination of hell—a light that reveals nothing of true value to purchase with such wealth. This statement sets up a stark contrast between the worship of earthly rulers and the pursuit of spiritual fulfillment. The pivotal moment of the poem comes with the simple, profound command: "Follow Me." This call, attributed to Jesus, invites Matthew—and by extension, the reader—to leave behind the pursuit of worldly power and embrace a higher calling. The response to this invitation marks the beginning of a radical transformation, not just for Matthew but for anyone who chooses to heed the call. Berrigan then describes the fate of earthly power and wealth as "sallow rust, a ruin ignorant graves, armies, brute time conspire toward." This imagery emphasizes the ultimate futility and decay of such pursuits. They are destined to become nothing more than a forgotten ruin, lost to the indifference of time and the grave. The final lines, "Caesar weeps at last is man at last, and dies," capture the inevitability of mortality even for those who seem most powerful. In death, Caesar—the symbol of earthly dominion—becomes merely human, stripped of his power and facing the same end as all people. This realization brings a poignant sense of humility and humanity to the figure of Caesar, underscoring the poem's meditation on the transient nature of worldly power compared to the eternal significance of spiritual awakening. "Saint Matthew, Publican" is a reflection on the choices that define us, the allure of temporal power, and the redemptive potential of embracing a spiritual path. Through the lens of Saint Matthew's conversion, Berrigan invites readers to consider their own allegiances and the ultimate value of the pursuits that occupy their lives. The poem is a call to prioritize the eternal and the true over the fleeting and the false, offering a stark reminder of the common destiny that awaits all humanity, regardless of worldly status. POEM TEXT: https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poetrymagazine/browse?contentId=28592
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