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Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained | |||
"Swords into Plowshares" by Daniel Berrigan is a compelling and visionary poem that juxtaposes images of confinement and oppression with symbols of liberation and transformation. Through vivid imagery and a tone of defiant hope, Berrigan reflects on the potential for human action to convert instruments of violence into tools for peace, drawing on the biblical prophecy of turning "swords into plowshares." The poem begins with a universal affirmation that "Everything enhances, everything / gives glory—everything!" This opening sets a tone of radical positivity, suggesting that even in the face of adversity, there is potential for glory and transformation. Berrigan introduces the figure of Judge Salus, whose "undermined soul / betrays him" despite his official position of authority. The mention of "very alleluias" muttered by the judge highlights the contrast between the outward expressions of justice and the inner moral failings of those who administer it. This theme of betrayal and the juxtaposition of external appearances with internal realities run throughout the poem. The imagery of "iron cells" transformed into "Row on row of rose trellised / Mansions, bridal chambers!" is a powerful metaphor for the transformation of spaces of confinement and punishment into places of beauty and union. Berrigan employs this imagery to suggest the radical potential for change, where even the most oppressive structures can be repurposed for life-affirming ends. The poem then shifts to present the "imperial lions of our vast acres" as symbols of the oppressive forces that guard the status quo, including "Curses, vans, keys, guards." However, Berrigan counters this image with the arrival of "hammers" that dismantle these structures, scattering "our years to four winds." The subsequent image of "flowers [that] blind the eye, the saints / pelt us with flowers!" evokes a scene of jubilant, almost overwhelming, celebration and redemption. Berrigan contrasts moments of "discomfort" — symbolized by "the mastiff’s baleful eye, / the bailiff’s mastery" — with the divine abundance, depicted as "the Lord’s hands heap / eon upon eon, / like fruit bowls at a feast." This imagery suggests a divine endorsement of the struggle for justice and peace, emphasizing the bountiful rewards that await those who persevere in the face of adversity. "Swords into Plowshares" is a lyrical meditation on the power of hope, the potential for transformation, and the divine promise of peace. Berrigan articulates a vision where the instruments of war and oppression are converted into symbols of life, love, and communal joy. The poem serves as a call to action, urging readers to believe in the possibility of change and to participate in the work of transforming the world from a place of violence to one of peace. Through its rich imagery and hopeful message, the poem affirms the potential for human beings to reshape their reality in accordance with the principles of justice and compassion. POEM TEXT: https://danielberrigan.org/poems/
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