'Saints' by Louise Gl�ck

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In our family, there were two saints,
my aunt and my grandmother.
But their lives were different.

My grandmother's was tranquil, even at the end.
She was like a person walking in calm water;
for some reason
the sea couldn't bring itself to hurt her.
When my aunt took the same path,
the waves broke over her, they attacked her,
which is how the Fates respond
to a true spiritual nature.

My grandmother was cautious, conservative:
that's why she escaped suffering.
My aunt's escaped nothing;
each time the sea retreats, someone she loves is taken away.

Still she won't experience
the sea as evil. To her, it is what it is:
where it touches land, it must turn to violence.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Saints by Louise Glück: A Masterpiece of Lyricism and Mythology

Louise Glück's poetry has always been an enigma, a journey into the depths of human nature and the mysteries of existence. In her 2008 collection, Averno, she delves even deeper into the realm of mythology and religion, exploring the meaning of life and death, and the role of the divine in our lives. The poem "Saints," which appears towards the end of the collection, is one of the most powerful and poignant pieces in the book, a lyrical meditation on the nature of holiness and the human condition.

The Tone: Awe and Reverence

The first thing that strikes the reader about "Saints" is the tone of awe and reverence that pervades the poem. Glück begins by invoking the saints as "the ones who have known / the worst the world can do / and not betrayed it," setting them up as moral exemplars, figures of purity and goodness who have transcended the imperfections of the world. Throughout the poem, she continues to describe the saints in glowing terms, portraying them as "radiant," "pure," and "transfigured," with a sense of wonder and admiration that is almost palpable.

This tone of reverence serves to underscore the central theme of the poem, which is the idea of spiritual transformation. Glück portrays the saints as individuals who have undergone a profound metamorphosis, who have transcended their earthly limitations and achieved a state of grace. By describing them in such exalted terms, she invites the reader to imagine what it would be like to achieve such a state, to become one of the "radiant ones" who have transcended the mundane and entered into a realm of higher consciousness.

The Structure: A Narrative of Transformation

The structure of "Saints" is also worth noting, as it helps to reinforce the theme of transformation that runs throughout the poem. The poem is divided into three sections, each of which tells a different story of spiritual evolution. In the first section, Glück describes the saints as figures of purity and goodness, who have transcended the world and become "angelic." In the second section, she introduces the idea of martyrdom, depicting the saints as individuals who have suffered and died for their beliefs, and who have thereby attained a higher state of being. And in the final section, she returns to the theme of transcendence, describing the saints as beings who have achieved a state of "perfection" and who have become "one with the divine."

The narrative arc of the poem is thus one of transformation, as Glück takes the reader on a journey from the earthly realm to the realm of the divine. This sense of progression is reinforced by the language and imagery she uses, which becomes increasingly mystical and abstract as the poem progresses. By the end of the poem, the reader is left with a sense of awe and wonder, as if they have been transported to a realm beyond the mundane and into the realm of the miraculous.

The Imagery: Mythology and Mysticism

One of the most striking features of "Saints" is the imagery that Glück employs, which is a rich mixture of mythological and mystical elements. Throughout the poem, she references figures from the Christian tradition, such as St. Francis, St. Teresa, and St. John of the Cross, and draws on their stories and legends to enrich her own narrative. She also employs a wide range of mystical and esoteric imagery, such as the "radiant stones" that the saints wear, the "infinite light" that surrounds them, and the "flame" that burns within them.

This imagery serves to create a sense of otherworldliness and mystery that is central to the poem's theme of transcendence. By drawing on the language and symbols of religion and mysticism, Glück is able to evoke a sense of the divine that is both profound and ineffable, one that transcends the boundaries of language and reason. This is particularly evident in the final lines of the poem, where Glück describes the saints as "part of the light, / part of the silence," suggesting that their transcendence has brought them into a realm that is beyond human comprehension.

The Interpretation: A Vision of Spiritual Perfection

So what is the meaning of "Saints," and what is Glück trying to communicate through her poem? At its core, "Saints" is a meditation on the nature of spiritual transformation, on the possibility of transcending the limitations of the human condition and achieving a state of grace. Glück uses the saints as a symbol of this transformation, portraying them as figures of purity and goodness who have undergone a profound metamorphosis and achieved a state of spiritual perfection.

But the poem is also about the difficulty of achieving this transformation, about the obstacles and challenges that stand in the way of spiritual growth. Glück references the saints' suffering and martyrdom, suggesting that the path to spiritual perfection is not an easy one, and that it often involves great sacrifice and pain. At the same time, however, she suggests that this transformation is possible, that it is within the reach of all of us, and that the rewards of such transformation are great.

In the end, "Saints" is a powerful and moving poem, a testament to the human capacity for spiritual growth and transcendence. Glück's language and imagery are both lyrical and mystical, creating a sense of awe and wonder that is both profound and humbling. Whether one is religious or not, the poem speaks to something deep and universal within the human psyche, a longing for transcendence and spiritual perfection that is as old as humanity itself.

Conclusion

In conclusion, "Saints" is a masterpiece of lyricism and mythology, a profound meditation on the nature of spiritual transformation and the human condition. By drawing on the language and imagery of religion and mysticism, Glück is able to evoke a sense of the divine that is both profound and ineffable, one that speaks to the deepest longings of the human heart. Whether one is religious or not, "Saints" is a poem that speaks to something universal and timeless, a vision of spiritual perfection that is both inspiring and humbling.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Saints: A Poem of Transcendence and Redemption

Louise Glück’s poem “Saints” is a powerful meditation on the nature of faith, redemption, and transcendence. Through a series of vivid images and metaphors, Glück explores the ways in which the human soul seeks to connect with the divine, and the obstacles that stand in the way of that connection. In this essay, I will provide a detailed analysis and explanation of “Saints,” exploring its themes, imagery, and language, and showing how Glück’s poem speaks to the deepest questions of human existence.

The poem begins with a description of a saint, who is “a woman / who has entered the mountains / to sleep on the ground.” This image immediately sets the tone for the poem, suggesting a sense of solitude, asceticism, and spiritual questing. The saint is not a conventional religious figure, but rather a solitary seeker who has chosen to withdraw from the world in order to seek a deeper connection with the divine. The fact that she is sleeping on the ground suggests a sense of humility and simplicity, as well as a willingness to endure hardship in pursuit of her goal.

The next stanza introduces a contrasting image, that of a “man who has entered the city / to escape his god.” This figure is also a seeker, but his quest is very different from that of the saint. He is not seeking to connect with the divine, but rather to escape from it. The fact that he has entered the city, with all its noise and distraction, suggests a sense of restlessness and disconnection. He is seeking to lose himself in the crowd, to forget his spiritual longings and immerse himself in the pleasures and distractions of the world.

The third stanza introduces a third figure, a “child who has entered the forest / to find his god.” This figure is different from the other two in several ways. First, he is a child, suggesting a sense of innocence and openness. Second, he has entered the forest, which is a place of mystery and enchantment, suggesting a sense of wonder and awe. Finally, he is seeking to find his god, rather than to escape from or sleep with him. This suggests a sense of longing and yearning, as well as a belief in the possibility of connection and communion with the divine.

The fourth stanza introduces a series of images that suggest the obstacles that stand in the way of the seekers’ quests. The saint is “surrounded by wolves,” suggesting a sense of danger and vulnerability. The man is “surrounded by women,” suggesting a sense of temptation and distraction. The child is “surrounded by trees,” suggesting a sense of confusion and disorientation. These images suggest that the seekers’ quests are not easy or straightforward, but rather fraught with danger, temptation, and confusion.

The fifth stanza introduces a new image, that of “a woman who has entered the sea / to drown her god.” This figure is very different from the other three, in that she is actively seeking to destroy her connection with the divine. The fact that she has entered the sea, which is a symbol of chaos and dissolution, suggests a sense of desperation and despair. She is not seeking transcendence or redemption, but rather annihilation.

The sixth and final stanza brings the poem to a close with a powerful image of transcendence and redemption. The saint, the man, the child, and the woman are all “gathered at the edge of a vast / dark lake.” This image suggests a sense of unity and convergence, as well as a sense of mystery and awe. The fact that the lake is dark suggests that it is a symbol of the unknown and the unknowable, the realm of the divine that lies beyond human understanding. The fact that the seekers are gathered there suggests that they have all come to a point of convergence, a moment of recognition that they are all seeking the same thing, even if they are going about it in different ways.

The final lines of the poem are among its most powerful: “And one by one they slip into the water, / which is cold and black and without end.” This image suggests a sense of surrender and acceptance, as well as a sense of awe and wonder. The fact that the seekers are slipping into the water suggests that they are letting go of their individual quests and merging with something larger and more mysterious. The fact that the water is cold and black suggests that they are entering a realm of mystery and darkness, a realm that is beyond human comprehension. And the fact that the water is without end suggests that they are entering a realm of infinite possibility, a realm that is beyond the limitations of human existence.

In conclusion, “Saints” is a powerful and deeply moving poem that explores the nature of faith, redemption, and transcendence. Through its vivid imagery and powerful language, Glück invites us to contemplate the deepest questions of human existence, and to consider the ways in which we seek to connect with the divine. Whether we are saints, seekers, or sinners, we are all part of a larger quest, a quest for meaning and purpose in a world that is often confusing and chaotic. And in the end, we are all called to surrender ourselves to something larger and more mysterious than ourselves, to slip into the water that is cold and black and without end, and to embrace the infinite possibilities of the divine.

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