I love poetry, especially poems that make me think. I'm convinced that poetry can contain more meaning than prose. This is the last stanza of a long poem called "Renascence" by Edna St. Vincent Millay. I've had it on my wall for the past year or so. See what you think it means.
The world stands out on either side
No wider than the heart is wide;
Above the world is stretched the sky, --
No higher than the soul is high.
The heart can push the sea and land
Farther away on either hand;
The soul can split the sky in two,
And let the face of God shine through.
But East and West will pinch the heart
That can not keep them pushed apart;
And he whose soul is flat -- the sky
Will cave in on him by and by.
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I'm Tamary and
2 comments:
I'm reading this too late at night to think about what it means. But I like it. I think poetry is more open to reader interpretation, based on their own experiences, than most prose, no matter what the poet meant by it. I'm sure there I've heard a literary term to describe this, but once again, it's just too late at night to think of it. :-)
I guess we have to start by asking what the sky represents. It says that the soul can split the sky in two and let the face of God shine through. But, if you cannot keep East and West separate--I think that means good and evil, but of course, that is my interpretation--the sky will crush you. I don't think it is GOD crushing you. But what is it? Still pondering. Get back with you soon. Any ideas? Thanks for giving me something enlightening to think about-- I really like poetry, but rarely take the time. . .
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