'Question' by May Swenson


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Body my house
my horse my hound
what will I do
when you are fallen

Where will I sleep
How will I ride
What will I hunt

Where can I go
without my mount
all eager and quick
How will I know
in thicket ahead
is danger or treasure
when Body my good
bright dog is dead

How will it be
to lie in the sky
without roof or door
and wind for an eye

With cloud for shift
how will I hide?

Editor 1 Interpretation

"Question" by May Swenson: An Exploration of Identity and Existentialism

May Swenson's "Question" is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that delves into the nature of identity and existence. In this poem, Swenson uses a series of rhetorical questions to explore the complexities of the self and the world we inhabit. Through her use of vivid imagery and poetic language, Swenson presents a compelling portrayal of the human condition and the search for meaning in a world that often seems chaotic and confusing.

The Poem in Context

May Swenson was an American poet and writer, born in 1913 in Logan, Utah. Her work was deeply influenced by the natural world, and many of her poems explore themes of identity, sexuality, and the human relationship with the environment. "Question" was first published in 1966, and it quickly became one of Swenson's most well-known and widely-read poems.

At its core, "Question" is an existentialist work that grapples with the fundamental questions of human existence: Who am I? Why am I here? What is the purpose of my life? These are questions that have been asked by philosophers, theologians, and artists for centuries, and Swenson's poem offers a unique and insightful perspective on these timeless themes.

Analysis of "Question"

The poem opens with a series of rhetorical questions that set the tone for the rest of the work:

Body my house
my horse my hound
what will I do
when you are fallen

These lines immediately establish a sense of intimacy and familiarity between the speaker and their body, which is likened to a house, a horse, and a hound. In this way, Swenson portrays the body not as a separate entity, but as an integral part of the self. The use of the possessive pronoun "my" emphasizes this connection, suggesting that the body is not something that can be easily separated from the speaker's identity.

The second half of this stanza introduces the central question of the poem: "what will I do when you are fallen?" This question is both literal and metaphorical, as it refers to the eventual decline and decay of the body, as well as the broader question of what happens to the self when we die. By framing this question in terms of the body, Swenson emphasizes the physicality of existence and the inevitability of mortality.

The next stanza continues the exploration of identity and existence:

Where will I sleep
How will I ride
Where will I hunt
when Body my good
bright dog is dead

Here, the speaker imagines a future in which their body has died, and they are left to navigate the world without it. The use of active verbs like "sleep," "ride," and "hunt" emphasizes the physicality of these activities and underscores the sense of loss that the speaker feels at the prospect of being unable to engage in them.

The line "Body my good/bright dog is dead" is particularly poignant, as it suggests that the body is not only a source of physical strength and endurance, but also a faithful and loyal companion. By likening the body to a dog, Swenson imbues it with a sense of loyalty and devotion that is often associated with the canine species.

The third stanza continues the theme of loss and separation:

All the world
is my parish
but I must keep
my body in its
steeple bed

Here, the speaker acknowledges the vastness and complexity of the world, but also recognizes the limitations of their own physical body. The metaphor of the "steeple bed" suggests that the body is both a prison and a sanctuary, simultaneously confining and protecting the self.

The use of religious imagery in this stanza is also significant, as it suggests that the body is not only a physical vessel, but also a spiritual one. The phrase "all the world/is my parish" evokes the idea of a religious community, and suggests that the speaker views their body as a sacred space that must be preserved and protected.

The final stanza of the poem offers a tentative answer to the central question posed at the beginning:

Oh keep me
from being
harmless

Here, the speaker seems to be asking for protection from the existential threat of meaninglessness and insignificance. The word "harmless" suggests a fear of being rendered powerless or insignificant in the face of the vast and complex world.

The final lines of the poem offer a glimmer of hope in the face of this fear:

no

This simple word carries a powerful message of resilience and defiance. By rejecting the idea of powerlessness and embracing the possibility of agency and action, the speaker asserts their own identity and affirms their place in the world.

Interpretation and Significance

At its core, "Question" is a poem about the search for meaning and identity in a world that often seems chaotic and confusing. Through her use of vivid imagery and poetic language, Swenson captures the complexity of the human experience and offers a compelling exploration of existentialism and identity.

One of the most significant aspects of this poem is its use of the body as a metaphor for the self. By portraying the body not as a separate entity, but as an integral part of the self, Swenson underscores the physicality of existence and the inevitability of mortality. This emphasis on the body as a vessel for the self is a common theme in existentialist philosophy, which often emphasizes the importance of the physical body in the search for meaning and identity.

Another significant aspect of this poem is its use of religious imagery and allusion. By evoking themes of religious community and sacred space, Swenson suggests that the search for meaning and identity is a deeply spiritual endeavor. This use of religious imagery is particularly noteworthy given the secular context of modernist poetry, and suggests that Swenson was interested in exploring the relationship between religious tradition and modernist thought.

Overall, "Question" is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that offers a unique perspective on the central themes of identity and existentialism. Through her use of vivid imagery and poetic language, Swenson captures the complexity of the human experience and offers a compelling exploration of the search for meaning and identity in a chaotic and confusing world.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

May Swenson’s poem “Question” is a classic piece of literature that has been studied and analyzed by scholars and poetry enthusiasts alike. The poem is a beautiful and thought-provoking piece that explores the nature of existence and the human experience. In this article, we will take a closer look at the poem and analyze its meaning and significance.

The poem “Question” is a short, six-line piece that is deceptively simple in its structure. However, upon closer examination, it becomes clear that the poem is a complex and nuanced exploration of the human condition. The poem begins with the line, “Body my house my horse my hound,” which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the piece. The use of the word “body” is significant, as it suggests that the poem is going to be a meditation on the physical self and the relationship between the body and the mind.

The next line of the poem, “What will I do when you are fallen,” is a question that is both existential and deeply personal. The use of the word “you” suggests that the speaker is addressing their own body, which is a powerful and evocative image. The question itself is one that has been asked by humans for centuries, as we all must confront our own mortality at some point in our lives. The use of the word “fallen” is also significant, as it suggests a sense of loss and decay.

The third line of the poem, “Where will I sleep,” is a continuation of the previous question, but it also introduces a new element to the poem. The use of the word “sleep” suggests that the speaker is not only concerned with their own mortality, but also with the idea of rest and rejuvenation. The image of the body as a house, horse, and hound is also significant, as it suggests that the body is not just a physical vessel, but also a place of comfort and safety.

The fourth line of the poem, “How will I ride,” is a continuation of the horse metaphor introduced in the first line. The use of the word “ride” suggests that the speaker is concerned with the idea of control and agency. The image of the body as a horse is also significant, as it suggests that the body is not just a passive vessel, but also a powerful and dynamic force.

The fifth line of the poem, “What will I hunt,” is a continuation of the hound metaphor introduced in the first line. The use of the word “hunt” suggests that the speaker is concerned with the idea of purpose and meaning. The image of the body as a hound is also significant, as it suggests that the body is not just a physical vessel, but also a tool for achieving our goals and desires.

The final line of the poem, “Where in the night will you be,” is a powerful and evocative image that brings the poem full circle. The use of the word “night” suggests a sense of darkness and uncertainty, while the use of the word “you” once again suggests that the speaker is addressing their own body. The question itself is one that is both haunting and beautiful, as it suggests a sense of longing and connection.

Overall, May Swenson’s poem “Question” is a powerful and thought-provoking piece that explores the nature of existence and the human experience. The use of metaphor and imagery is masterful, and the questions posed by the speaker are both universal and deeply personal. The poem is a testament to the power of language and the human capacity for introspection and self-reflection.

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