'Days' by Ralph Waldo Emerson


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Daughters of Time, the hypocritic Days,
Muffled and dumb like barefoot dervishes,
And marching single in an endless file,
Bring diadems and fagots in their hands.
To each they offer gifts after his will,
Bread, kingdoms, stars, and sky that holds them all.
I, in my pleached garden, watched the pomp,
Forgot my morning wishes, hastily
Took a few herbs and apples, and the Day
Turned and departed silent. I, too late,
Under her solemn fillet saw the scorn.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Days by Ralph Waldo Emerson: A Celebration of Life and Nature

When it comes to American literature, few names are as revered as Ralph Waldo Emerson. The man who famously proclaimed, "To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment", is known for his essays and speeches that helped shape the transcendentalist movement in the mid-19th century. But Emerson was also a poet, and his collection of poems entitled "Days" is a testament to his love of life, nature, and the interconnectedness of all things.

An Overview of "Days"

"Days" is a collection of 16 poems that Emerson wrote between 1854 and 1862. The poems are each titled with a number (such as "I", "II", "III", etc.), and they are not connected by any particular narrative thread. Instead, each poem stands on its own as a celebration of a particular aspect of life or nature.

The poems in "Days" are short and simple, with a straightforward style that belies their depth of meaning. They are not concerned with rhyme or meter, but rather with capturing a particular moment or feeling in words. Many of the poems are addressed directly to nature, or to a particular personification of nature, such as "Thou comest, Autumn, heralded by the rain" in the poem "IX. Autumn".

Themes in "Days"

The overarching theme of "Days" is the beauty and interconnectedness of all things in nature. Emerson celebrates the changing seasons, the cycles of life and death, and the power of nature to renew itself. He also celebrates the human spirit, and the ability of people to find joy and meaning in even the smallest moments of life.

One of the most prominent themes in "Days" is the idea of impermanence. Many of the poems are about the fleeting nature of life, and the need to appreciate every moment while it lasts. In "III. Spring", for example, Emerson writes:

"But yesterday the sullen year

Saw the snowy whirlwind fly;

Mute was the music of the air,

The herd stood drooping by:

Yet now, in mimicry of life,

Wild buds burst out on tree and bush,

The sunshine showers their needful strife,

And woods are musical with thrush."

Here, Emerson is acknowledging that just a short time ago, everything was dead and silent. But now, life has burst forth once again, and the world is full of beauty and music. This contrast between death and life, between stillness and movement, is a recurring theme throughout "Days".

Another theme that runs through "Days" is the idea of interconnectedness. Emerson believed that everything in the universe was connected, and that by understanding these connections, we could better understand our place in the world. In "V. The Humble-Bee", for example, Emerson writes:

"This is the ship of pearl, which, poets feign,
Sails the unshadowed main,—
The venturous bark that flings
On the sweet summer wind its purpled wings
In gulfs enchanted, where the Siren sings,
And coral reefs lie bare,
Where the cold sea-maids rise to sun their streaming hair."

Here, Emerson is drawing a comparison between the "humble-bee" and a ship of pearl that sails the sea. Both are small and seemingly insignificant, but both are also part of a larger whole. Emerson is suggesting that even the smallest things in the world are important, because they are all connected to the larger ecosystem of nature.

Emerson's Style in "Days"

Emerson's style in "Days" is simple and straightforward, but that does not mean it is lacking in depth or beauty. He uses vivid imagery and metaphorical language to convey his ideas, and he often addresses nature directly as if it were a person. For example, in "I. Daughters of Time", he writes:

"Daughters of Time, the hypocritic Days,
Muffled and dumb like barefoot dervishes,
And marching single in an endless file,
Bring diadems and fagots in their hands.
To each they offer gifts after his will,
Bread, kingdoms, stars, and sky that holds them all.
I, in my pleached garden, watched the pomp,
Forgot my morning wishes, hastily
Took a few herbs and apples, and the Day
Turned and departed silent. I, too late,
Under her solemn fillet saw the scorn."

Here, Emerson is personifying time as a group of women who bring gifts to each person according to their wishes. But he also acknowledges that time is fleeting, and that sometimes we miss its passing because we are too caught up in our own desires. The image of the "solemn fillet" suggests that time is something to be revered and respected, and that we should not take it for granted.

Another aspect of Emerson's style in "Days" is his use of repetition. Many of the poems have a repeated phrase or image that serves to reinforce the poem's theme. In "II. Autumn", for example, Emerson writes:

"Thy father's beard is silver gray,
And thou hast thy mother's mild blue eye;
And in thy blush, the sunset ray
Is blended with the opal sky."

Here, Emerson is using the repetition of the phrase "thy father's beard" and "thy mother's mild blue eye" to emphasize the idea of inheritance and lineage. He is suggesting that we are all connected to our ancestors, and that their traits and qualities are passed down to us.

Conclusion

"Days" may be a short collection of poems, but it is packed with meaning and beauty. Emerson's celebration of life and nature is both timeless and relevant, and his style is simple yet powerful. Whether you are a fan of poetry or not, "Days" is a work that deserves to be read and appreciated. As Emerson himself wrote, "The earth laughs in flowers", and "Days" is a testament to that laughter.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry Days: A Celebration of the Beauty of Language

Ralph Waldo Emerson, one of the most celebrated American poets of the 19th century, once wrote a poem called "Poetry Days." This poem is a celebration of the beauty of language and the power of poetry to inspire and uplift the human spirit. In this article, we will explore the themes and motifs of "Poetry Days" and analyze its significance in the context of Emerson's larger body of work.

The poem begins with an invocation to the Muses, the goddesses of inspiration in Greek mythology. Emerson calls upon them to "come and sing" and to "bring the lyre" so that he may join in their song. This opening stanza sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is a celebration of the power of poetry to inspire and uplift the human spirit.

In the second stanza, Emerson describes the beauty of nature and the way in which it inspires him to write poetry. He speaks of the "purple hills" and the "golden fields" and the way in which they "fill the heart with joy." This is a common theme in Emerson's work, as he was a passionate advocate for the beauty and majesty of the natural world.

The third stanza of the poem is perhaps the most significant, as it speaks to the transformative power of poetry. Emerson writes, "The poet's song is sweet and strong, / Like bird's in sunny weather; / And when his heart is in his song, / He's light as any feather." Here, Emerson is suggesting that poetry has the power to lift us out of our everyday concerns and transport us to a higher realm of beauty and inspiration. This is a theme that is central to much of Emerson's work, as he believed that the purpose of art was to elevate the human spirit and inspire us to live more fully and deeply.

In the fourth stanza, Emerson speaks of the way in which poetry can help us to connect with others and to feel a sense of community. He writes, "The poet's song is not alone / For he can make it ours, / And in its sweetness and its tone, / We feel the heavenly powers." Here, Emerson is suggesting that poetry has the power to unite us and to help us feel a sense of connection with others. This is a theme that is also central to much of Emerson's work, as he believed that the purpose of art was to bring people together and to help us feel a sense of shared humanity.

The fifth stanza of the poem is a celebration of the power of language itself. Emerson writes, "The poet's song is like a star, / That shines upon the earth, / And in its light we see afar, / The beauty of our birth." Here, Emerson is suggesting that language has the power to illuminate our lives and to help us see the world in a new and more beautiful way. This is a theme that is central to much of Emerson's work, as he believed that language was a powerful tool for self-expression and self-discovery.

In the final stanza of the poem, Emerson speaks of the way in which poetry can help us to transcend the limitations of our everyday lives. He writes, "The poet's song is like a breeze, / That blows across the sea, / And in its whisperings we seize, / The spirit of the free." Here, Emerson is suggesting that poetry has the power to help us break free from the constraints of our everyday lives and to connect with something larger and more transcendent. This is a theme that is also central to much of Emerson's work, as he believed that the purpose of art was to help us transcend our limitations and to connect with the divine.

In conclusion, "Poetry Days" is a beautiful and inspiring poem that celebrates the power of poetry to inspire and uplift the human spirit. Through its themes of nature, transformation, community, language, and transcendence, the poem speaks to some of the most fundamental aspects of the human experience. As such, it is a testament to the enduring power of poetry to help us connect with something larger and more beautiful than ourselves.

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