Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Book of Days 23" by Martha Collins captures the essence of Easter morning, a time of renewal and reflection, juxtaposed with the ongoing realities of human suffering and conflict. Through vivid imagery and thematic contrasts, Collins explores themes of light and darkness, renewal and loss, and the continuous search for meaning and direction in the midst of life's complexities.

The poem begins with an exultant cry for "Light! Light!" setting the tone for a scene of awakening and rebirth. The description of the white interior of the church and the open-mouthed lilies speaks to the purity and openness associated with Easter, a celebration of resurrection and new beginnings. The "paned / white sky outside --" further extends this imagery, suggesting a world cleansed and made new.

Yet, the poem quickly delves deeper, beyond the immediate brightness of the Easter celebration. The "bits / of prayer: it is finished, / that painful time" refer to the end of Christ's suffering on the cross, a moment of profound significance in Christian tradition. However, Collins nuances this declaration with the realization that, despite the ceremonial marking of an end, suffering persists in the world: "Finished for now, though the war dead die / as the war dead died, and we are not poor / in our hearts as the poor are poor." This acknowledgment serves as a sobering reminder of the ongoing conflicts and disparities that continue to afflict humanity, suggesting that the spiritual renewal symbolized by Easter does not erase the tangible realities of pain and injustice.

The poem then introduces the words of the angel, "Not here, in this empty place, / but there, on the road to the place / you are going," shifting the focus from the church's sanctified space to the journey ahead. This transition underscores the notion that true enlightenment and fulfillment are not found in static locations or moments of celebration but in the ongoing journey of life. The mention of "the clear rain" at the poem's close symbolizes both the clarity and purification that can accompany trials and the recognition that renewal is a continuous process, intertwined with the challenges and uncertainties of the road ahead.

"Book of Days 23" is a meditation on the interplay between moments of spiritual significance and the unending cycle of human experience. Collins invites readers to contemplate the dualities of joy and suffering, ending and beginning, and the constant search for meaning amidst the transient beauty of life's celebrations. Through its exploration of Easter's symbolism against the backdrop of broader human struggles, the poem offers a poignant reflection on the complexity of hope and the enduring quest for light in a world marked by shadows.

POEM TEXT: https://capa.conncoll.edu/collins.space.htm#DAYS

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