Journey of the Magi, T.S. Eliot
The Magi. by W. B. Yeats, 1865 - 1939
Two Set Out on Their Journey. Galway Kinnell, 1927 - 2014
My Father as Cartographer by Natasha Trethewey, 1966
elegy with linden tree three-years' dead still standing by Nina Puro
The Pittsford group profited from David's reading of the Eliot. As he puts it, " I had been thinking and practicing this poem-- seeking to understand the feelings and changes of feeling, the recognitions and realizations in the speaker, and trying to get them into voice—over the last couple of weeks. Once begun, the poem wouldn’t leave me alone. So, to have this work so richly affirmed is gratifying. I did the work for myself of course, but I have always looked forward to sharing it, and how good it feels to have it so deeply shared.". Indeed, hearing a poem recited by heart,
where the speaker has clearly invested himself into the voice, makes a tremendous difference.The context of the poem: it paraphrases a 1621 sermon by Andrews… who humanized the Magi. "what a helluvah journey…", we understand, as we listen to the old man remembering… possibly dictating it to his scribes. Why is he telling this story late in life?
and what questions does the poem raise for you?
I love the last line of the first stanza:
With the voices singing in our ears, saying
That this was all folly.
Imagine undertaking a journey, with no assurance that this new "king" will be found,
what kind of "new" is involved. We all undertake quests... but little information...
The words, arrived, "not a moment too soon" , and the understatement, "satisfactory"
also create a mystery of what expectations were involved. The Magi's question,
"were we led all that way for Birth or Death?" is not an easy question. Birth of the Christ,
with premonitions throughout the poem of his death -- the three trees, the old white horse (Indian
myth of sacrifice), the dicing for pieces of silver... death of the old ways, and promise of the new,
and ending with "I should be glad of another death."
The discussion in both groups was rich and rewarding. Transformations are hard times... and yet,
we gain from them... and would go through them again because of the value of what we learn,
even knowing of the pain. n possibly thinking about his own moral dislocation after WWI. glad for another change. Eliot did search for religion. Magi managed to survive revolutions… reading stars… magistrates and magicians. Had to leave older way of thinking. Could be placed around the time of the crucifixion. A little premature for the “good news” of Gospels
n humanizing: very much like Amahl and the Night Visitors. poignant story… dealing with things way bigger than the narrative… delicacy….
n Martin: difficult. key words. Magi. journey. regrets. hard time of year. Guides disappear; light disappears… Eliot using the story of the Magi… Why did they go on the quest.
n no mention of the gifts of the Magi. Not emphasis on King. Desescalate the legend.
n exploration into primitive Christianity… Jesus as healer…
Magi like Rosencrantz and Guildenstern. taken out of traditional play and made into characters with whom we can relate.
Paul, with his inimitable pluck and savvy then imitated WB Yeats to a T in the next poem.
Is "I" the outsider, as in today, witnessing a creche scene... again this word "satisfactory" but this time as turbulence unsatisfied. I should think Eliot knew Yeats' poem... both thinking of WWI... both familiar with "bestiality." The key word in the last line, for me is "uncontrollable"... The universe has its own plan...
Galway Kinnell:
contrasts: odd / even
desolate / cheerful
happy / encumbering... how is it that with a happy beginning, an unknown end, the time in between seems to be lumbering?
The key word, "If" -- which is no assurance at all...
which is the new laughter that allows us freedom from being dead serious?
Everyone will live the life they have. Each start a good one. Open to it with "yes".
Respond with "thank you".
The Trethewey: Indentations… services the message. choppiness of mood.
Professor expounds territory… but at the end of his life, country of loss, colony of grief,
continent, desire, borderland regret... and joy is untethered... no guarantee there.
And the horrifying sous-entendu of a man's daughter who would be glad should he perish...
but what is monstrous, is to be two-faced -- the negative feeling unspoken, and the reader
doesn't know what masks them both.
Yoon: Today is the key concept in the poem. Short sentences. A reminder that Korean is
a language based on tones. The confusion of subjects -- who is "you"? "I"? "We"
From the five meanings of Chada, I think of a mother, expecting a child, kicking inside her...
The metaphors of the longer sentences... the cold, worn, going from Fall to the longest day
of Winter... and yet... inside, in the heart, the "you" worn like curtains.... Lovely contrast of the two.
Nina Puro: The title and rest of poem evokes ruins of Germany. the "seam" in the first couplet
like seeing a part of a garment... the key point of the poem for all was the subjunctive set up
of wishing "I meant enough" -- what was the photo? Who or what was snipped out?
Why would the speaker of the poem have wanted to be in it?
Some though the "go on without me -- don't look back" was a courageous statement,
that was then, on we go. (Damn the torpedos, full speed ahead). Some interpreted it
as, "let me be here, left behind in my grief." The poignant last couplet, reinforces the
sense of a defiant voice -- those who hear it may feel it as affirmation to continue to ignore her
whether in a positive or negative way.
These are only thoughts culled from very rich discussions of the poems.
I am so grateful for each contribution!
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