'Poem (Faithful to your commands, o consciousness)' by Delmore Schwartz

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Poem Faithful to your commands, o consciousness, o

Beating wings, I studied

the roses and the muses of reality,

the deceptions and the deceptive elation of the redness of the growing morning,

and all the greened and thomed variety of the vines of error, which begin by promising

Everything and more than everything, and then suddenly,

At the height of noon seem to rise to the peak or dune-like moon of no return

So that everything is or seems to have become nothing, or of no genuine importance:

And it is not that the departure of hope or its sleep has made it inconceivable

That anything should be or should have been important:

It is the belief that hope itself was not, from the beginning,
before believing, the most important of all beliefs.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Poem (Faithful to your commands, o consciousness) by Delmore Schwartz

Have you ever felt like your mind was betraying you? That your thoughts were going in circles, and you couldn't escape them? If so, you might find solace in Delmore Schwartz's poem "Faithful to your commands, o consciousness."

Overview

"Faithful to your commands, o consciousness" is a poem that explores the relationship between the mind and the self. The speaker addresses their consciousness directly, as if it were a separate entity, and questions its commands and motivations. Through a series of rhetorical questions and paradoxes, Schwartz delves into the complexities of the human psyche and the struggle to understand oneself.

Form and Structure

The poem is divided into four stanzas, each with six lines. The lines are of varying lengths, with no set meter or rhyme scheme. This lack of structure mirrors the chaos and confusion that the speaker is experiencing in their mind. The repetition of the phrase "Faithful to your commands, o consciousness" at the beginning of each stanza creates a sense of ritual or obedience, as if the speaker is trying to appease their own thoughts.

Analysis

The poem begins with the speaker addressing their consciousness directly: "Faithful to your commands, o consciousness." This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, establishing a sense of submission to the mind's demands. The use of the word "faithful" implies a sense of duty or obligation, as if the speaker is a servant to their own thoughts.

The second stanza begins with the rhetorical question, "Why do you command me to remember?" This question sets up a paradox, as memory is both a gift and a burden. The speaker is questioning why their consciousness would force them to recall painful or traumatic memories, and why they can't just forget and move on. This struggle with memory is a common theme in Schwartz's work, as he often explores the idea of nostalgia and the longing for the past.

The third stanza continues the theme of paradoxes, with the question "Why do you command me to forget?" Here, the speaker is questioning why their consciousness would block out certain memories, even if they are crucial to their understanding of themselves. The idea of forgetting as a form of self-preservation is also explored, as the speaker wonders if their mind is trying to protect them from painful truths.

The final stanza brings the poem full circle, with the repetition of the opening line. However, this time the speaker adds a qualifier: "Faithful to your commands, o consciousness (although I hate the acts you make me do)." This line suggests a sense of resentment or frustration towards the mind's commands, as if the speaker is tired of being held captive by their own thoughts. The use of parentheses also creates a sense of internal conflict, as the speaker is trying to reconcile their obedience with their own desires.

Interpretation

"Faithful to your commands, o consciousness" is a poem that deals with the struggle to understand oneself. The speaker is grappling with their own thoughts and emotions, trying to make sense of the contradictions and paradoxes that lurk beneath the surface. The repetition of the opening line creates a sense of ritual or obedience, as if the speaker is trying to appease their own thoughts. However, the addition of the qualifier in the final stanza suggests a sense of frustration and resentment towards the mind's commands.

Overall, the poem can be interpreted as a reflection of the human condition, and the struggle to reconcile our thoughts and feelings with our sense of self. The use of paradoxes and rhetorical questions creates a sense of uncertainty and introspection, as if the speaker is trying to dig deeper into their own psyche. The lack of structure and rhyme scheme mirrors the chaos and confusion that the speaker is experiencing, and the repetition of the opening line creates a sense of ritual or obedience.

Conclusion

"Faithful to your commands, o consciousness" is a powerful and introspective poem that explores the complexities of the human psyche. The use of rhetorical questions and paradoxes creates a sense of uncertainty and introspection, and the lack of structure mirrors the chaos and confusion that the speaker is experiencing. Through this poem, Delmore Schwartz offers a glimpse into the struggle to understand oneself, and the eternal quest for self-knowledge.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Delmore Schwartz's poem "Poem (Faithful to your commands, o consciousness)" is a masterpiece of modernist poetry that explores the complex relationship between the human consciousness and the external world. With its intricate imagery, vivid language, and philosophical depth, the poem invites readers to reflect on the nature of reality, perception, and identity.

At its core, "Poem (Faithful to your commands, o consciousness)" is a meditation on the power of the mind to shape our experience of the world. The poem begins with the speaker addressing their own consciousness, acknowledging its role as the mediator between the self and the external world. The opening lines, "Faithful to your commands, o consciousness, / I have been led by you / And now I stand / Before the wide and starry sky," establish a sense of reverence and submission to the consciousness, which is portrayed as a guiding force that has led the speaker to this moment of contemplation.

As the poem progresses, the speaker's attention turns to the natural world around them, and they begin to reflect on the relationship between the self and the external world. The second stanza, for example, describes the speaker's experience of the night sky, which is portrayed as a vast and mysterious realm that both fascinates and terrifies them. The lines "The moving moon went up the sky, / And nowhere did abide; / Softly she was going up, / And a star or two beside" capture the sense of wonder and awe that the speaker feels in the face of the infinite cosmos.

However, the poem also acknowledges the limitations of human perception and understanding. The third stanza, for example, describes the speaker's encounter with a tree, which they initially perceive as a static and lifeless object. It is only when they take the time to observe the tree more closely that they begin to appreciate its complexity and vitality. The lines "But as I looked at the tree, / And listened to the breeze, / And the leaves were waving free, / It seemed alive to me" suggest that our perception of the world is always mediated by our own consciousness, and that we must be open to new experiences and perspectives in order to truly appreciate the richness and diversity of the world around us.

Throughout the poem, Schwartz employs a range of poetic techniques to convey the complexity and ambiguity of the speaker's experience. The use of enjambment, for example, creates a sense of fluidity and movement that mirrors the speaker's shifting perceptions of the world. The repetition of certain phrases, such as "o consciousness" and "I have been led by you," reinforces the sense of submission and dependence that the speaker feels towards their own mind. Meanwhile, the use of vivid imagery and sensory language, such as "the moving moon," "the leaves were waving free," and "the wind blew chill," creates a vivid and immersive atmosphere that draws the reader into the speaker's world.

At the same time, the poem also raises profound philosophical questions about the nature of reality and perception. The speaker's experience of the world is portrayed as subjective and contingent, shaped by their own consciousness and the particularities of their own perspective. This raises the question of whether there is a "true" reality that exists independently of our own perceptions, or whether reality is always mediated by our own minds. The poem also touches on the theme of identity, suggesting that our sense of self is intimately bound up with our perceptions of the world around us. The lines "I am the self-consumer of my woes; / They rise and vanish in oblivious host, / Like shadows in love's frenzied stifled throes" suggest that the self is not a fixed or stable entity, but rather a constantly evolving and shifting construct that is shaped by our experiences and perceptions.

In conclusion, Delmore Schwartz's poem "Poem (Faithful to your commands, o consciousness)" is a powerful and thought-provoking meditation on the relationship between the human mind and the external world. Through its intricate imagery, vivid language, and philosophical depth, the poem invites readers to reflect on the nature of reality, perception, and identity, and to consider the ways in which our own consciousness shapes our experience of the world. Whether read as a work of modernist poetry or as a philosophical treatise, "Poem (Faithful to your commands, o consciousness)" is a timeless and enduring work that continues to captivate and inspire readers today.

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