'In Praise Of Limestone' by W.H. Auden
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1948If it form the one landscape that we, the inconstant ones,Are consistently homesick for, this is chiefly
Because it dissolves in water. Mark these rounded slopesWith their surface fragrance of thyme and, beneath,
A secret system of caves and conduits; hear the springsThat spurt out everywhere with a chuckle,
Each filling a private pool for its fish and carvingIts own little ravine whose cliffs entertain
The butterfly and the lizard; examine this regionOf short distances and definite places:
What could be more like Mother or a fitter backgroundFor her son, the flirtatious male who lounges
Against a rock in the sunlight, never doubtingThat for all his faults he is loved; whose works are but
Extensions of his power to charm? From weathered outcropTo hill-top temple, from appearing waters to
Conspicuous fountains, from a wild to a formal vineyard,Are ingenious but short steps that a child's wish
To receive more attention than his brothers, whetherBy pleasing or teasing, can easily take.Watch, then, the band of rivals as they climb up and downTheir steep stone gennels in twos and threes, at times
Arm in arm, but never, thank God, in step; or engagedOn the shady side of a square at midday in
Voluble discourse, knowing each other too well to thinkThere are any important secrets, unable
To conceive a god whose temper-tantrums are moralAnd not to be pacified by a clever line
Or a good lay: for accustomed to a stone that responds,They have never had to veil their faces in awe
Of a crater whose blazing fury could not be fixed;Adjusted to the local needs of valleys
Where everything can be touched or reached by walking,Their eyes have never looked into infinite space
Through the lattice-work of a nomad's comb; born lucky,Their legs have never encountered the fungi
And insects of the jungle, the monstrous forms and livesWith which we have nothing, we like to hope, in common.
So, when one of them goes to the bad, the way his mind worksRemains incomprehensible: to become a pimp
Or deal in fake jewellery or ruin a fine tenor voiceFor effects that bring down the house, could happen to all
But the best and the worst of us...That is why, I suppose,The best and worst never stayed here long but sought
Immoderate soils where the beauty was not so external,The light less public and the meaning of life
Something more than a mad camp. 'Come!' cried the granite wastes,"How evasive is your humour, how accidental
Your kindest kiss, how permanent is death." (Saints-to-beSlipped away sighing.) "Come!" purred the clays and gravels,
"On our plains there is room for armies to drill; riversWait to be tamed and slaves to construct you a tomb
In the grand manner: soft as the earth is mankind and bothNeed to be altered." (Intendant Caesars rose and
Left, slamming the door.) But the really reckless were fetchedBy an older colder voice, the oceanic whisper:
"I am the solitude that asks and promises nothing;That is how I shall set you free. There is no love;
There are only the various envies, all of them sad."They were right, my dear, all those voices were right
And still are; this land is not the sweet home that it looks,Nor its peace the historical calm of a site
Where something was settled once and for all: A back wardAnd dilapidated province, connected
To the big busy world by a tunnel, with a certainSeedy appeal, is that all it is now? Not quite:
It has a worldy duty which in spite of itselfIt does not neglect, but calls into question
All the Great Powers assume; it disturbs our rights. The poet,Admired for his earnest habit of calling
The sun the sun, his mind Puzzle, is made uneasyBy these marble statues which so obviously doubt
His antimythological myth; and these gamins,Pursuing the scientist down the tiled colonnade
With such lively offers, rebuke his concern for Nature'sRemotest aspects: I, too, am reproached, for what
And how much you know. Not to lose time, not to get caught,Not to be left behind, not, please! to resemble
The beasts who repeat themselves, or a thing like waterOr stone whose conduct can be predicted, these
Are our common prayer, whose greatest comfort is musicWhich can be made anywhere, is invisible,
And does not smell. In so far as we have to look forwardTo death as a fact, no doubt we are right: But if
Sins can be forgiven, if bodies rise from the dead,These modifications of matter into
Innocent athletes and gesticulating fountains,Made solely for pleasure, make a further point:
The blessed will not care what angle they are regarded from,Having nothing to hide. Dear, I know nothing of
Either, but when I try to imagine a faultless loveOr the life to come, what I hear is the murmur
Of underground streams, what I see is a limestone landscape.
Editor 1 Interpretation
In Praise of Limestone: An Ode to the Natural World
W.H. Auden is a celebrated poet, known for his innovative use of language and his ability to capture the essence of the human experience in his work. One of his most notable poems is "In Praise of Limestone," an ode to the natural world that showcases Auden's talent for combining imagery and ideas in a way that is both profound and accessible.
At first glance, "In Praise of Limestone" appears to be a simple poem about the beauty and worth of limestone. However, upon closer examination, it becomes clear that Auden is using limestone as a metaphor for the natural world as a whole, and is exploring themes such as the relationship between humanity and nature, and the importance of preserving the environment.
The poem begins with a description of the limestone landscape, which is portrayed as a place of both beauty and danger. The speaker notes that while the limestone cliffs are "magnificent" and "strange," they are also "riddled with caves" which are "the haunts of sea-gulls and aeons." This contrast between the sublime and the ominous sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which will explore the complex interplay between the natural world and the human psyche.
As the poem progresses, Auden introduces a series of characters who inhabit the limestone landscape, each of whom represents a different aspect of the human experience. There is the "fat man," who represents the greed and decadence of modern society, and the "thin man," who represents the intellectual and spiritual emptiness of the modern world. There is the "man who carries his own name tattooed on his back," who represents the human desire for self-expression and individuality, and the "man who did not wish to be alone," who represents the human desire for companionship and community.
Through these characters, Auden is able to convey a powerful message about the relationship between humanity and the natural world. He suggests that while humans are a part of nature, they often find themselves at odds with it, seeking to exploit and dominate the natural world for their own purposes. At the same time, however, Auden acknowledges that this desire to control nature is often driven by a deeper psychological need for self-expression and community, and that it is only through a deeper understanding of our place in the natural world that we can truly find fulfillment and meaning in our lives.
As the poem draws to a close, Auden returns to the image of the limestone landscape, which he describes as a place of "eternal renewal" and "endless patience." This final image serves as a reminder of the resilience and power of the natural world, and of the importance of preserving it for future generations.
Overall, "In Praise of Limestone" is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that explores some of the most fundamental questions of human existence. By using limestone as a metaphor for the natural world, Auden is able to convey a complex and nuanced message about our relationship with the environment and with each other, and to challenge us to think more deeply about the role we play in shaping the world around us. Whether read as a celebration of the beauty of the natural world, or as a warning about the dangers of human greed and self-centeredness, this is a poem that is sure to inspire and provoke readers for generations to come.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry In Praise Of Limestone: A Masterpiece of Poetic Imagination
W.H. Auden's "Poetry In Praise Of Limestone" is a remarkable work of poetry that has captivated readers for decades. This poem is a masterpiece of poetic imagination that explores the complex relationship between nature and humanity. Auden's use of language, imagery, and symbolism creates a vivid and powerful portrait of the natural world and its impact on human life. In this article, we will explore the themes, imagery, and symbolism of "Poetry In Praise Of Limestone" and examine how Auden's poetic vision has influenced generations of readers.
The poem begins with a description of the limestone landscape, which is presented as a place of great beauty and mystery. Auden describes the limestone as "a country of the mind" and "a place of solitude" that is both "strange" and "familiar." This opening stanza sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is a meditation on the relationship between nature and humanity.
One of the central themes of "Poetry In Praise Of Limestone" is the idea that nature is indifferent to human life. Auden writes, "Nature, who made us, feared us / And has us in derision." This line suggests that nature is not concerned with human affairs and that humans are insignificant in the grand scheme of things. This theme is further developed in the second stanza, where Auden describes the "cold, hard, and unfeeling" limestone landscape. This description emphasizes the idea that nature is indifferent to human life and that humans must find their own meaning and purpose in the world.
Another important theme of the poem is the idea that nature is both beautiful and dangerous. Auden writes, "The blessed will not care what angle they are regarded from, / Having nothing to hide." This line suggests that the beauty of nature is not dependent on human perception and that nature is beautiful in its own right. However, the poem also acknowledges the dangers of nature, particularly in the third stanza, where Auden describes the "sharp features" of the limestone landscape and the "perilous" cliffs. This description emphasizes the idea that nature can be both beautiful and dangerous, and that humans must be careful when interacting with it.
One of the most striking features of "Poetry In Praise Of Limestone" is its use of imagery and symbolism. Auden uses a wide range of images and symbols to create a vivid and powerful portrait of the natural world. For example, the limestone landscape is described as a "country of the mind," which suggests that it is a place of imagination and creativity. This image is further developed in the fourth stanza, where Auden describes the "fantastic shadows" that are cast by the limestone cliffs. These shadows are described as "monsters" and "dragons," which suggests that the limestone landscape is a place of myth and legend.
Another important image in the poem is the idea of the "blessed." Auden writes, "The blessed will not care what angle they are regarded from, / Having nothing to hide." This image suggests that the blessed are those who have found meaning and purpose in the world, and who are not concerned with the opinions of others. This image is further developed in the fifth stanza, where Auden describes the "blessed" as those who have "found the peace of the desert" and who are "free from the prison-house of the personality." This image emphasizes the idea that the blessed are those who have transcended the limitations of human existence and who have found a deeper connection to the natural world.
Finally, it is worth noting the structure of the poem itself. "Poetry In Praise Of Limestone" is a complex and multi-layered work of poetry that is structured around a series of contrasts and oppositions. For example, the poem contrasts the beauty and danger of nature, the indifference of nature and the search for meaning by humans, and the blessed and the unenlightened. This structure creates a sense of tension and conflict that drives the poem forward and gives it a sense of urgency and importance.
In conclusion, "Poetry In Praise Of Limestone" is a remarkable work of poetry that explores the complex relationship between nature and humanity. Auden's use of language, imagery, and symbolism creates a vivid and powerful portrait of the natural world and its impact on human life. The poem is structured around a series of contrasts and oppositions that create a sense of tension and conflict, and that give the poem a sense of urgency and importance. "Poetry In Praise Of Limestone" is a masterpiece of poetic imagination that has influenced generations of readers, and that continues to captivate and inspire readers today.
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