The idea of "uncontradicting" solitude's "giant palm"--so wonderful. Not that being contradicted is something to be avoided in every arena of life, but it's always interesting--and weird--how often people try to direct other people's time and creativity in particular directions . . . .. So glad to know this poem.
There are a couple of lines here (the gas-fire breathes; virtue is social) that he would use again twenty years later in Vers de Societe - a simultaneously more funny and much darker poem about solitude: in older age, solitude tips over into loneliness and fear of mortality. I love that here though, he relishes in being alone, to just be himself, slowly unfolding.
I like it, thanks yet again. Siegfried Sassoon (British officer despite the first name, and one of the War Poets of WW1 ended his semi-autobiography with this insight:
“It is only from the innermost silences of the heart that we know the world for what it is, and ourselves for what the world has made us.”
I agree and add the rather obvious observation that those innermost silences of the heart cannot be experienced in company (no matter how pleasant).
This reminds me of one of my favorite quotes from Peter Gay, 'The Enlightenment...', 'Scipio Africanus, Cicero reports a little wistfully, used to say of himself, [translating the Latin]--'that he was never less idle than when he was idle, and never less alone than when he was alone.'
The poet deals with contradictions here. What he is referring to here is the idea of 'sahaj' (often used by Kabir) or spontaneously being able to look at yourself.
I don't think he is lauding the idea of being alone. What he is talking about is to be naturally at ease with your surrounding with the purpose of observing oneself, whether that be a crowded shore or a silent meadow.
That kind of comfort leads to finding our inconsistencies. Inner contradictions. The solitude being talked about helps us do that.
One example he gives is about virtue signalling. If you need to show that you are good, if you need to talk about your acts of charity, or proclaim you helped somebody, then you are essentially not virtuous.
Another example he gives of a contradiction is: if your definition of solitude is not to be expressed in terms of others, then it is only a compensation of the lack of your own comfort; essentially your solitude is a make-believe. Your solitude should not be dependent on presence or absence of others. It is a quality independent of that.
Going further, it is a quality of our mind that creates these distinctions. We define such conceptual boundaries. Whether or not solitude depends on being with others, is a choice we made. Hence these distinctions should not be attached to, because these concepts are empty. Don't seek solitude because it is a good thing. Purpose matters. Seek it because it gives a chance to observe ourselves.
I think he is talking about acceptance of the world, including our inner world. Such an acceptance takes everything in its ambit: the ills, the good, the evil. When we are comfortable with the world, then we are able to spot the problems that we can solve using our free will.
The idea of "uncontradicting" solitude's "giant palm"--so wonderful. Not that being contradicted is something to be avoided in every arena of life, but it's always interesting--and weird--how often people try to direct other people's time and creativity in particular directions . . . .. So glad to know this poem.
There are a couple of lines here (the gas-fire breathes; virtue is social) that he would use again twenty years later in Vers de Societe - a simultaneously more funny and much darker poem about solitude: in older age, solitude tips over into loneliness and fear of mortality. I love that here though, he relishes in being alone, to just be himself, slowly unfolding.
Thank you for sharing.
I've taught my sons that the ability to be happy while alone is an essential life skill.
I like it, thanks yet again. Siegfried Sassoon (British officer despite the first name, and one of the War Poets of WW1 ended his semi-autobiography with this insight:
“It is only from the innermost silences of the heart that we know the world for what it is, and ourselves for what the world has made us.”
I agree and add the rather obvious observation that those innermost silences of the heart cannot be experienced in company (no matter how pleasant).
This reminds me of one of my favorite quotes from Peter Gay, 'The Enlightenment...', 'Scipio Africanus, Cicero reports a little wistfully, used to say of himself, [translating the Latin]--'that he was never less idle than when he was idle, and never less alone than when he was alone.'
A beautiful comment. I’ve been reading the poem and your commentary over and over.
That final movement always stays with me. Not something being found, but something slowly emerging.
The poet deals with contradictions here. What he is referring to here is the idea of 'sahaj' (often used by Kabir) or spontaneously being able to look at yourself.
I don't think he is lauding the idea of being alone. What he is talking about is to be naturally at ease with your surrounding with the purpose of observing oneself, whether that be a crowded shore or a silent meadow.
That kind of comfort leads to finding our inconsistencies. Inner contradictions. The solitude being talked about helps us do that.
One example he gives is about virtue signalling. If you need to show that you are good, if you need to talk about your acts of charity, or proclaim you helped somebody, then you are essentially not virtuous.
Another example he gives of a contradiction is: if your definition of solitude is not to be expressed in terms of others, then it is only a compensation of the lack of your own comfort; essentially your solitude is a make-believe. Your solitude should not be dependent on presence or absence of others. It is a quality independent of that.
Going further, it is a quality of our mind that creates these distinctions. We define such conceptual boundaries. Whether or not solitude depends on being with others, is a choice we made. Hence these distinctions should not be attached to, because these concepts are empty. Don't seek solitude because it is a good thing. Purpose matters. Seek it because it gives a chance to observe ourselves.
I think he is talking about acceptance of the world, including our inner world. Such an acceptance takes everything in its ambit: the ills, the good, the evil. When we are comfortable with the world, then we are able to spot the problems that we can solve using our free will.
omg it’s me
Viciously...!!
I loved it!
Great post, picture & poem… very thought-provoking
Love it
I can’t believe I’ve never read this Larkin poem, which feels so timely. Thank you for acquainting me with it.
Beautiful sentiment wrapped in wonderful imagery
Alone and loneliness are two different animals.
The well must be replenished, refilled, so that we may drink from it. Good reminders.