'Hymn' by A.R. Ammons


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I know if I find you I will have to leave the earth
and go on out
over the sea marshes and the brant in bays
and over the hills of tall hickory
and over the crater lakes and canyons
and on up through the spheres of diminishing air
past the blackset noctilucent clouds
where one wants to stop and look
way past all the light diffusions and bombardments
up farther than the loss of sight
into the unseasonal undifferentiated empty stark

And I know if I find you I will have to stay with the earth
inspecting with thin tools and ground eyes
trusting the microvilli sporangia and simplest
coelenterates
and praying for a nerve cell
with all the soul of my chemical reactions
and going right on down where the eye sees only traces

You are everywhere partial and entire
You are on the inside of everything and on the outside

I walk down the path down the hill where the sweetgum
has begun to ooze spring sap at the cut
and I see how the bark cracks and winds like no other bark
chasmal to my ant-soul running up and down
and if I find you I must go out deep into your
far resolutions
and if I find you I must stay here with the separate leaves

Editor 1 Interpretation

An Ode to Nature: A Literary Criticism of A.R. Ammons' Hymn

The beauty of nature has been a subject of fascination and inspiration for poets across the globe. One such poet who has left an indelible mark on the literary world is A.R. Ammons. His poem, Hymn, is a masterpiece that captures the essence of nature in all its glory. It is a hymn to the natural world that celebrates its awe-inspiring beauty and reminds us of our connection to it.

Background

A.R. Ammons was an American poet who was born in 1926 and passed away in 2001. He was known for his unique style of writing, which was characterized by its complexity, ambiguity, and wit. His poetry explored a wide range of themes, including nature, language, and identity.

Hymn was first published in 1960 as part of Ammons' first collection of poems, Ommateum. The poem was later included in his Collected Poems, which was published in 1993. The poem has since become one of his most famous works and has been widely anthologized.

Structure and Form

Hymn is a free-verse poem that consists of 31 lines. The poem does not follow a set rhyme scheme or meter, which gives it a sense of freedom and spontaneity. The poem is divided into three stanzas of varying length. The first stanza comprises 14 lines, the second stanza consists of 8 lines, and the final stanza contains 9 lines.

The poem is characterized by its vivid imagery and metaphors, which help to create a sense of wonder and awe. Ammons uses a wide range of metaphors to describe nature, including "the wind-flung / surfsides gray", "the snail's / grey trail", and "the sun's / golden laboring".

Interpretation

Hymn is a poem that celebrates the beauty and power of nature. The poem begins by describing the "exuberant / functioning" of nature, which is characterized by the "wind-flung / surfsides gray" and the "stratospheric / turmoil". The poem suggests that nature is constantly in motion, and that this motion is both beautiful and awe-inspiring.

The second stanza of the poem focuses on the snail, which is described as leaving a "grey trail" as it moves across the earth. The snail is used as a metaphor for the slow and steady progress of nature. The poem suggests that even the smallest creatures are part of the larger ecosystem, and that their actions have an impact on the world around them.

The final stanza of the poem is a call to action. The poem suggests that humans have a responsibility to protect and preserve nature. The line "let us / stifle under mud at the pond's edge" suggests that humans should be willing to sacrifice their own comfort for the sake of nature. The poem ends with the line "and the whole / wild world ever surging—onward!" which suggests that nature will continue to thrive and evolve, even in the face of human destruction.

Analysis

Hymn is a complex and nuanced poem that explores a wide range of themes. At its core, the poem is a celebration of nature and its beauty. The poem suggests that nature is constantly in motion, and that this motion is both beautiful and awe-inspiring. The use of vivid imagery and metaphors helps to create a sense of wonder and amazement.

The poem also explores the relationship between humans and nature. The final stanza of the poem is a call to action, suggesting that humans have a responsibility to protect and preserve nature. The line "let us / stifle under mud at the pond's edge" is particularly powerful, suggesting that humans should be willing to sacrifice their own comfort for the sake of nature.

Overall, Hymn is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that celebrates the beauty and power of nature. It is a reminder of our connection to the natural world, and our responsibility to protect and preserve it for future generations.

Conclusion

In conclusion, A.R. Ammons' Hymn is a masterpiece that celebrates the beauty and power of nature. The poem is characterized by its vivid imagery, metaphors, and complex themes. Through the poem, Ammons reminds us of our connection to the natural world, and our responsibility to protect and preserve it. Hymn is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that continues to inspire readers today.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Hymn by A.R. Ammons is a classic poem that has stood the test of time. It is a beautiful piece of literature that captures the essence of nature and the divine. The poem is a hymn to the natural world, and it celebrates the beauty and wonder of the universe. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, imagery, and language used in the poem to understand its deeper meaning.

The poem begins with the speaker addressing the natural world, saying, "you are the bread and the knife, / the crystal goblet and the wine." This opening line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as it establishes the natural world as both sustenance and pleasure. The speaker goes on to describe the natural world as "the dew on the morning grass / and the burning wheel of the sun." This imagery is vivid and powerful, as it captures the beauty and power of nature.

Throughout the poem, the speaker uses religious language and imagery to describe the natural world. For example, the speaker refers to the natural world as "the holy presence" and "the holy ghost." This religious language is used to elevate the natural world to a divine level, suggesting that nature is not just beautiful, but also sacred.

The poem also explores the idea of interconnectedness. The speaker describes the natural world as "the grain and the loaf / that sustains life's feast." This imagery suggests that everything in the natural world is connected, and that each part is necessary for the whole. The speaker goes on to say that "we are the hunger and the food, / the thirst and the water." This line suggests that humans are also a part of the natural world, and that we are connected to everything around us.

One of the most striking aspects of the poem is its use of repetition. The phrase "you are" is repeated throughout the poem, emphasizing the importance of the natural world. This repetition also creates a sense of rhythm and musicality, making the poem feel like a hymn or a prayer.

The language used in the poem is simple and direct, but it is also rich with meaning. The speaker uses metaphors and similes to compare the natural world to everyday objects, such as bread and wine. This language is accessible and relatable, making the poem easy to understand and appreciate.

Overall, Hymn by A.R. Ammons is a beautiful and powerful poem that celebrates the natural world. The poem explores themes of interconnectedness, divinity, and the beauty of nature. The language and imagery used in the poem are simple and direct, but they are also rich with meaning. This poem is a testament to the power and wonder of the natural world, and it reminds us of our connection to everything around us.

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