Poetry &Sprituality Entropy | 17 Mar 2009
On Angels
This post is a continuation of the theme.. Pl also refer to Theodicy
Czeslaw Milosz takes a different stance to angels in this poem, rather than having one named being represent an angel, Milosz generalizes the idea and creates a being that he describes as an angel without ever identifying it with that word. From the beginning, however it is clear whom he is writing about. “All was taken away from you: white dresses, wings, even existence.
Yet I believe you, messengers.” Milosz describes the angel traditionally yet although there is a reference to the angel being a messenger that connects the definition to the Biblical meaning; the idea that existence can be taken away with the absence of belief is not based in religion. In the poem, the angel is once again very personal and rather than the angel being something that is believe in, it becomes something that represents belief, in general.
“They say somebody has invented you/but to me this does not sound convincing/for humans invented themselves as well. /The voice-no doubt it is a valid proof….” The relationship of the angel and the narrator is private and the image of the being is classic. Once again, the angel is somewhat of a guardian or driving force that comes at the end of the poem: “day draws near/another one/do what you can.”…
On Angels
All was taken away from you: white dresses,
wings, even existence.
Yet I believe in you,
messengers.
There, where the world is turned inside out,
a heavy fabric embroidered with stars and beasts,
you stroll, inspecting the trustworthy seems.
Short is your stay here:
now and then at a matinal hour, if the sky is clear,
in a melody repeated by a bird,
or in the smell of apples at close of day
when the light makes the orchards magic.
They say somebody has invented you
but to me this does not sound convincing
for the humans invented themselves as well.
The voice — no doubt it is a valid proof,
as it can belong only to radiant creatures,
weightless and winged (after all, why not?),
girdled with the lightening.
I have heard that voice many a time when asleep
and, what is strange, I understood more or less
an order or an appeal in an unearthly tongue:
day draw near
another one
do what you can.
-By Czeslaw Milosz
on 18 Mar 2009 at 7:17 am 1.Sonya Rose said …
Hi Ajay,
I just posted a blog on Angels:
http://blogs.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendId=218347768&blogId=477190942
And, I see yours…Isn’t that amazing?! … It’s a wonderful post.
I really believe in these messengers, Ajay. I really do. I just had a dream where I was shown signs; when I woke, I researched it all. Then, I knew … well, what I have to do–make alternative plans.
I was giving a strong warning by angels in my dreams (who came in the form of humans, a child and his father).
Today, I feel ‘especially’ really blessed. Even though, the signs/sounds are always there for me, I don’t always look out for them … Today, I did with a little needed rest.
Peace & Blessings,
Sonya
on 18 Mar 2009 at 12:06 pm 2.nishith said …
Hi Ajaybhai,
There are angels all around us. Continuously doing what they do best. But we are all so caught up in our daily rote and egos that we choose to ignore them. One needs the innocence of children to believe and see these angels. They are not probably visible with wings and white dresses and magical sticks, but they come as events, people, friends and strangers. We just ignore them and move on blindly. They are always around, we just need to open our eyes of the soul and mind.
Thanx for sharing the poem. BEAUTIFUL.
Cheers and have a great day. Hope u will see angels everyday as i have learnt to see them and thank them.
NISH
on 18 Mar 2009 at 4:32 pm 3.Magda said …
Very, very beautiful, Ajay. Warm regards from Poland! :-)
on 18 Mar 2009 at 7:44 pm 4.Nimesh Dadia said …
Dear Lao Aju
This is a beautiful and introspective poem. Its humbling and inciting. The most beautiful passage was
“Short is your stay here:
now and then at a matinal hour, if the sky is clear,
in a melody repeated by a bird,
or in the smell of apples at close of day
when the light makes the orchards magic.”
Its the angel within one, its the sense of wonderment , its the internal journey of joy & strife.
This is reminds me of our most cherished poem “Auguries of Innocence” by William Blake
” To see the world in a grain of sand
And heaven in a wild flower
Hold infinity in the palm of your hand
To see eternity in an hour”
Another intrinsic characteristics of Polish poets since 1930′s is the language in their poems devoid of rhyme and metre. Almost like a philosophical conversation. It is perhaps their tumultuous history of their country which has given birth to this wry form of poetry.
Nimesh
on 18 Mar 2009 at 11:18 pm 5.(fleur) Marie-Ancolie said …
Bonjour Ajay,
I agree with Nimesh about the most beautiful part of the poem,
and I agree also with the last part of his comment.
I would take advantage here in saying that some great singers are/were wonderful poets as you can see here with Marek Grechuta (who passed away in 2006 and who was the number one for long long years). He was an angel too for his country.
He sings the famous “ode to friendship”
written by Adam Mickiewicz (I’m not sure at all about the english translation I found, and maybe Magda have a better one)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=krksWron54w&feature=related
“Uncertainty”
When I don’t see you, I do not sigh nor cry
My faculties and senses do not go awry;
Yet when you are not here for a moment or two,
Someone seems missing, and that someone is you.
And the heart below asks the mind above
Is this friendship, or is this love?
I’ve never considered, though I’ve suffered much,
Laying down my weary head for your calming touch;
Without aim or purpose, I walk and I roam,
Not understanding, how I arrive at your home;
And when I enter, the heart below asks the mind above:
Is this friendship, or is this love?
When you are away, I cannot picture
How exactly formed is your face and figure;
Yet, despite myself, and to a great degree,
You always seem so dear to my memory.
And again the heart below asks the mind above:
Is this friendship, or is this love?
I’d spare my life for yours to be well;
For your peace of mind I’d descend even to hell;
Yet I have no sense of duty which is decreeing
I must be your peace of mind or your well-being.
And again the heart below asks the mind above:
Is this friendship, or is this love?
******
I believe that angels look after us.
Thanks for sharing this beauty.
on 21 Mar 2009 at 10:06 am 6.Michele said …
Do you guys really believe in angels? big wings and all?
the poems are beautiful especially Blake’s…
one of my favorite films of all time is “wings of desire” http://www.wim-wenders.com/movies/movies_spec/wingsofdesire/wingsofdesire.htm
But the film’s angels were selective in who to help and when i am being told by angels, i am always wondering about the utter suffering of human beings on earth (darfur, etc…) under the closed eyes of God and its blinded angels…
spare me the sentimentality my friend! there is enough injustice and suffering in this freaking world (and apparently i am in a dark mood!!)
Give me mediocre humanism ( or way of life centered on human interests or values ; especially : a philosophy that usually rejects supernaturalism and stresses an individual’s dignity and worth and capacity for self-realization through reason) but spare me the superlative angels…
on 21 Mar 2009 at 8:57 pm 7.Entropy said …
I agree with Michele’s opinion and feeling. As most of the readers have not inferred the poets’ metaphor appropriately