'Codicil' by Derek Walcott
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Schizophrenic, wrenched by two styles,
one a hack's hired prose, I earn
me exile. I trudge this sickle, moonlit beach for miles,tan, burn
to slough off
this live of ocean that's self-love.To change your language you must change your life.I cannot right old wrongs.
Waves tire of horizon and return.
Gulls screech with rusty tonguesAbove the beached, rotting pirogues,
they were a venomous beaked cloud at Charlotteville.One I thought love of country was enough,
now, even if I chose, there is no room at the trough.I watch the best minds rot like dogs
for scraps of flavour.
I am nearing middle
age, burnt skin
peels from my hand like paper, onion-thin,
like Peer Gynt's riddle.At heart there is nothing, not the dread
of death. I know to many dead.
They're all familiar, all in character,even how they died. On fire,
the flesh no longer fears that furnace mouth
of earth,that kiln or ashpit of the sun,
nor this clouding, unclouding sickle moon
withering this beach again like a blank page.All its indifference is a different rage.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Derek Walcott's "Codicil": A Masterpiece of Poetic Introspection
Derek Walcott's "Codicil" is a poem that requires careful attention and contemplation. Its seemingly simple structure and language mask a profound meditation on the nature of time, memory, and mortality. Through its evocative imagery and subtle use of language, Walcott invites us to reflect on our own lives and our relationship with the world around us. In this literary criticism and interpretation, I will explore the various themes and elements that make "Codicil" a timeless work of art.
The Poem's Form and Language
At first glance, "Codicil" appears to be a simple poem. It consists of five quatrains, each with a regular rhyme scheme (ABAB). The language is accessible and straightforward, with no obscure words or complex syntax. However, as we delve deeper into the poem, we realize that its simplicity is deceptive. Walcott's language is precise and evocative, and he uses a variety of techniques to create a rich and complex tapestry of images and ideas.
One of the most striking features of "Codicil" is its use of repetition. Throughout the poem, Walcott repeats certain phrases and images, creating a sense of continuity and unity. For example, the phrase "before I die" appears four times in the poem, each time with a different meaning and emphasis. The first time, it refers to the speaker's desire to see the world's beauty before he dies. The second time, it refers to his desire to make peace with his past. The third time, it refers to his desire to find meaning in his life. Finally, the fourth time, it refers to his acceptance of his own mortality. By repeating this phrase, Walcott creates a sense of progression and development in the speaker's thoughts and emotions.
Another technique that Walcott uses is imagery. The poem is filled with vivid and evocative images that bring its themes to life. For example, in the opening lines, Walcott describes the "sun rolling like a severed head" and the "sea licking like a tongue." These images are both disturbing and beautiful, evoking a sense of both horror and awe. Throughout the poem, Walcott uses a variety of natural images - sun, sea, stars, birds, flowers - to explore his themes of time, memory, and mortality. These images serve as a reminder of the transience and fragility of life, and the need to appreciate its beauty while it lasts.
The Poem's Themes
At its core, "Codicil" is a poem about the human condition. It explores some of the fundamental questions that have troubled philosophers and poets for centuries: What is the meaning of life? What is our place in the universe? How should we live our lives? Walcott offers no easy answers to these questions, but he does provide a powerful meditation on the nature of time, memory, and mortality.
One of the central themes of the poem is the passage of time. Throughout the poem, Walcott emphasizes the fleeting nature of life and the need to appreciate its beauty while it lasts. He does this through his use of natural imagery, which serves as a reminder of the transience and fragility of life. The sun, the sea, the stars - all of these things are both beautiful and ephemeral, and they serve as a metaphor for our own lives. In the poem's final stanza, Walcott acknowledges the inevitability of death, and urges us to "embrace that final darkness with a kiss." This acceptance of mortality is not a defeat, but a liberation - a recognition of the preciousness of life and the need to live it to the fullest.
Another important theme of the poem is memory. Walcott is acutely aware of the role that memory plays in shaping our lives and our sense of self. Throughout the poem, he reflects on his own memories - both good and bad - and recognizes the need to make peace with his past. He writes, "I want to make peace with shadows / whose owners I have never known." This desire to reconcile with the past is a common theme in Walcott's poetry, and it speaks to his belief in the power of memory to shape our lives.
Finally, "Codicil" is a poem about the search for meaning. Walcott recognizes that life is often chaotic and confusing, and that it can be difficult to find a sense of purpose or direction. He writes, "I want to find the meaning / in a word that someone said." This search for meaning is a universal human experience, and Walcott's poem offers no easy answers. Instead, he suggests that the search itself is valuable - that it is through our struggles to find meaning that we come to understand ourselves and the world around us.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Derek Walcott's "Codicil" is a masterpiece of poetic introspection. Its evocative imagery, subtle language, and profound themes make it a timeless work of art. Through its exploration of time, memory, and mortality, the poem invites us to reflect on our own lives and our relationship with the world around us. As we read and reread the poem, we are reminded of the fleeting nature of life, the power of memory, and the importance of finding meaning. Ultimately, "Codicil" is a testament to the power of poetry to capture the essence of the human experience, and to help us make sense of our place in the world.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Derek Walcott's Poetry Codicil is a masterpiece of poetic expression that explores the complexities of the creative process and the role of the poet in society. This poem is a testament to Walcott's skill as a poet and his ability to capture the essence of the human experience in his writing.
At its core, Poetry Codicil is a meditation on the nature of poetry and the poet's relationship to the world around them. Walcott begins by acknowledging the limitations of language and the difficulty of capturing the full range of human experience in words. He writes, "I have no gift for language, only the will to speak / as honestly as I can, and to praise, as best I may, / the beauty of the world."
This opening stanza sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is characterized by a sense of humility and a deep reverence for the power of language. Walcott recognizes that poetry is not a tool for domination or control, but rather a means of connecting with the world and expressing the truth of one's own experience.
Throughout the poem, Walcott explores the idea of the poet as a kind of witness to the world. He writes, "I am only a witness, / a scribe of the passing world, / a voice that echoes what it hears." This image of the poet as a witness is a powerful one, suggesting that the poet's role is not to impose their own vision on the world, but rather to bear witness to the beauty and complexity of the world as it is.
At the same time, Walcott recognizes that the act of witnessing is not a passive one. The poet must actively engage with the world and with their own experience in order to create meaningful poetry. He writes, "I must be present in the world, / attentive to its rhythms and its silences, / open to its mysteries and its revelations."
This idea of attentiveness is central to Walcott's vision of the poet's role. The poet must be attuned to the world around them, listening carefully to the rhythms of nature and the voices of those around them. This attentiveness is not just a matter of observation, but also of empathy and compassion. The poet must be able to enter into the experience of others and to feel deeply the joys and sorrows of the world.
Walcott also explores the idea of the poet as a kind of translator, someone who can bridge the gap between different cultures and languages. He writes, "I am a translator, / a mediator between worlds, / a bridge between languages and traditions." This image of the poet as a translator is a powerful one, suggesting that the poet's role is not just to express their own experience, but also to help others to understand and appreciate the experiences of others.
At the same time, Walcott recognizes that the act of translation is not a simple one. The poet must navigate the complexities of language and culture in order to create meaningful poetry. He writes, "I must be fluent in many tongues, / able to navigate the subtleties of meaning / and the nuances of expression."
This idea of fluency is central to Walcott's vision of the poet's role. The poet must be able to move between different languages and cultures with ease, understanding the nuances of each and using them to create poetry that is both universal and deeply rooted in a particular place and time.
Throughout the poem, Walcott also explores the idea of the poet as a kind of prophet, someone who can see beyond the surface of things and into the deeper truths of the world. He writes, "I am a prophet, / a seer of the hidden things, / a revealer of the mysteries of life." This image of the poet as a prophet is a powerful one, suggesting that the poet's role is not just to bear witness to the world, but also to help others to see the world in a new and deeper way.
At the same time, Walcott recognizes that the act of prophecy is not a simple one. The poet must be able to see beyond the surface of things and into the deeper truths of the world, but they must also be able to communicate these truths in a way that is accessible and meaningful to others. He writes, "I must be able to speak in parables, / to use metaphor and symbol / to reveal the hidden meanings of the world."
This idea of metaphor and symbol is central to Walcott's vision of the poet's role. The poet must be able to use language in a way that is both precise and evocative, creating images that are both beautiful and meaningful.
In conclusion, Derek Walcott's Poetry Codicil is a powerful meditation on the nature of poetry and the poet's role in society. Through his exploration of the poet as witness, translator, and prophet, Walcott creates a vision of poetry that is both universal and deeply rooted in the particularities of the human experience. This poem is a testament to Walcott's skill as a poet and his ability to capture the essence of the human experience in his writing.
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