'Lights' by Sarah Teasdale


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When we come home at night and close the door,
Standing together in the shadowy room,
Safe in our own love and the gentle gloom,
Glad of familiar wall and chair and floor,

Glad to leave far below the clanging city;
Looking far downward to the glaring street
Gaudy with light, yet tired with many feet,
In both of us wells up a wordless pity;

Men have tried hard to put away the dark;
A million lighted windows brilliantly
Inlay with squares of gold the winter night,
But to us standing here there comes the stark
Sense of the lives behind each yellow light,
And not one wholly joyous, proud, or free.

Editor 1 Interpretation

"Lights" by Sarah Teasdale: A Poem of Beauty and Transcendence

Introduction

When one thinks of the great poets of modernism, the likes of T.S. Eliot, Wallace Stevens, and William Carlos Williams immediately come to mind. But sometimes we forget the contributions of other poets who were equally talented, but perhaps less well-known. One such poet is Sarah Teasdale, whose poem "Lights" is a testament to her skill and artistry. In this essay, I will provide a detailed literary criticism and interpretation of "Lights," exploring the poem's themes, structure, language, and imagery, and arguing that it is a work of great beauty and transcendence.

Summary

Before delving into the poem's many complexities, it is helpful to provide a brief summary of its content. "Lights" is a lyric poem consisting of four stanzas of varying lengths, each containing four lines. It is a poem of contrasts, particularly between darkness and light, and it evokes a sense of wonder and awe at the beauty of the natural world. The first stanza sets the tone and establishes the central metaphor of the poem:

I am a pool of blue,
Shaded by many an old tree
That dreams downward over me,
Sleeps with a clear green light on its breast.

Here, Teasdale presents herself as a pool of blue, surrounded by trees that cast their shadows upon her. These shadows are metaphorically described as "dreams" that descend upon the pool. The final line of the stanza introduces the first of several references to light in the poem, as the trees are said to "sleep with a clear green light on its breast."

In the second stanza, Teasdale describes the moon rising in the sky, casting its pale light on the trees and the water:

And I am the moon's pool,
Its cool silver and virgin blue
Wherein its speckled face it sees
Mirrored in beauty and quietness.

The pool is now seen as belonging to the moon, and its colors are described as "cool silver and virgin blue." The moon is said to see its own "speckled face" reflected in the water, which is characterized by "beauty and quietness." The contrast between the moon's pale light and the trees' green light is emphasized here, as is the reflective quality of the water.

The third stanza shifts the focus to the stars, which are described as "mighty sailors" who navigate the "sea of night" and bring light to the darkness:

And I am the sea of night,
The Milky Way's wash at my feet,
And I am the moonlit ship
That sails the divergent skies.

Here, Teasdale becomes the "sea of night," with the Milky Way as its "wash" and herself as the "moonlit ship" that sails through the stars. The "divergent skies" suggest a vastness and cosmic scope to the poem, and the stars are personified as "mighty sailors" who bring light to the darkness. The final line of the stanza is particularly evocative, suggesting both movement and stillness, as the ship sails through the sky but is also suspended in the air.

The final stanza returns to the central metaphor of the pool, but now it is described as "thrilled with a thousand lights" and "on its breast a hundred stars." The contrast between darkness and light is once again emphasized, as is the beauty of the natural world:

The pool is thrilled with a thousand lights,
And the nights are full of a hundred stars,
And the shadows of old trees bow down
To see themselves sleeping in the green-gold light.

The shadows of the trees are now described as "bowing down" to see themselves reflected in the light of the pool. The use of the word "thrilled" suggests a sense of excitement and joy, and the final line is particularly striking in its evocation of the interplay between light and shadow.

Themes

One of the key themes of "Lights" is the contrast between darkness and light. This is a common theme in poetry, but Teasdale approaches it in a unique way by using the metaphor of the pool to explore various aspects of light and its effects. The poem moves from the green light of the trees to the pale light of the moon to the starry light of the night sky, and finally to the many lights of the pool itself. This movement suggests a progression from the mundane to the sublime, culminating in a moment of transcendence in which the natural world is seen as a source of wonder and awe.

Another theme of the poem is the idea of reflection and mirroring. The pool serves as a mirror for the moon and the stars, and the shadows of the trees are reflected in the light of the water. This emphasis on reflection suggests a sense of interconnectedness between the various elements of the natural world, as well as a deeper metaphysical connection between the physical world and the world of the spirit.

Yet another theme of the poem is the idea of movement and stillness. The stars are described as "mighty sailors" who navigate the sea of night, and the pool is said to be "thrilled" with a thousand lights. These descriptions suggest a sense of movement and excitement, but there is also a sense of stillness and contemplation in the poem, particularly in the final stanza. The shadows of the trees "bow down" to see themselves reflected in the light of the pool, suggesting a moment of stillness and reflection that is both peaceful and profound.

Structure

The structure of "Lights" is relatively simple, consisting of four stanzas of equal length. Each stanza contains four lines, and the rhyme scheme is AABB. This simple structure allows the poem's themes and imagery to shine through without being obscured by complex wordplay or syntax. The repetition of the central metaphor of the pool, as well as the references to light and shadow, give the poem a cohesive structure that is both elegant and effective.

Language

The language of "Lights" is simple and direct, yet it is also evocative and poetic. Teasdale's use of metaphors and personification give the poem a sense of depth and beauty, while her choice of words and phrasing is precise and carefully considered. The use of alliteration and consonance in phrases such as "clear green light" and "mighty sailors" gives the poem a musical quality that is both pleasing to the ear and effective in conveying its themes.

Imagery

The imagery of "Lights" is perhaps its greatest strength. Teasdale's use of metaphor and personification creates a vivid and evocative portrait of the natural world, one that is both beautiful and awe-inspiring. The image of the pool, with its reflections of moon and stars, is particularly striking, as is the description of the stars as "mighty sailors" who navigate the sea of night. The contrast between darkness and light is emphasized throughout the poem, and the interplay between light and shadow is described in ways that are both subtle and profound.

Interpretation

"Lights" is a remarkable poem that combines beauty, transcendence, and a sense of wonder at the natural world. Its simple structure and direct language belie the complexity of its themes and imagery, and its central metaphor of the pool serves as a powerful symbol of reflection and interconnectedness. The poem's emphasis on contrast and movement, as well as its focus on the interplay between light and darkness, suggest a deeper metaphysical meaning that is both profound and spiritually uplifting. Overall, "Lights" is a masterpiece of modernist poetry, and a testament to the enduring power of language and imagery to inspire, uplift, and transform.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry Lights: A Masterpiece of Sarah Teasdale

Poetry is a form of art that has the power to evoke emotions and feelings in the reader's mind. It is a medium that allows the poet to express their thoughts and ideas in a creative and imaginative way. Sarah Teasdale, a renowned American poet, is known for her beautiful and lyrical poetry that captures the essence of human emotions. One of her most famous works is "Poetry Lights," a poem that explores the power of poetry and its ability to inspire and uplift the human spirit.

The poem begins with the lines, "I have seen the light of poetry / Flash all of a sudden from a page." These lines immediately capture the reader's attention and create a sense of wonder and excitement. The use of the word "flash" suggests a sudden burst of energy and creativity, which is a common experience for many poets. The image of the light of poetry is also significant as it suggests that poetry has the power to illuminate the darkness and bring clarity to our thoughts and emotions.

The second stanza of the poem continues this theme of illumination and describes how poetry can bring joy and happiness to our lives. Teasdale writes, "I have seen the light of poetry / Shine like a beacon on a troubled sea." The use of the metaphor of a beacon suggests that poetry can guide us through difficult times and help us find our way. The image of a troubled sea also suggests that poetry can bring calm and serenity to our lives, even in the midst of chaos and turmoil.

The third stanza of the poem explores the idea that poetry can inspire us to be better people. Teasdale writes, "I have seen the light of poetry / Make men's hearts beat high with courage." The use of the word "courage" suggests that poetry can give us the strength and determination to overcome our fears and face the challenges of life. The image of men's hearts beating high also suggests that poetry can inspire us to be passionate and enthusiastic about life.

The fourth stanza of the poem continues this theme of inspiration and suggests that poetry can help us connect with our inner selves. Teasdale writes, "I have seen the light of poetry / Draw from the soul its deepest melody." The use of the word "melody" suggests that poetry can help us express our emotions and feelings in a beautiful and harmonious way. The image of drawing from the soul also suggests that poetry can help us connect with our innermost thoughts and desires.

The final stanza of the poem brings all these themes together and suggests that poetry has the power to transform our lives. Teasdale writes, "I have seen the light of poetry / Change the gray world to one of rose." The use of the metaphor of a gray world suggests that life can often be dull and uninspiring. However, poetry has the power to transform this gray world into one of beauty and wonder. The image of a world of rose suggests that poetry can bring color and vibrancy to our lives.

In conclusion, "Poetry Lights" is a masterpiece of Sarah Teasdale that explores the power of poetry and its ability to inspire and uplift the human spirit. Through the use of vivid imagery and metaphors, Teasdale captures the essence of poetry and its ability to illuminate the darkness, bring joy and happiness, inspire courage and passion, connect us with our inner selves, and transform our lives. This poem is a testament to the enduring power of poetry and its ability to touch our hearts and souls in profound and meaningful ways.

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