Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Mark Jarman's "Five Psalms" offer a rich tapestry of contemplations on the nature of God, the complexities of faith, and the human experience of divine interaction. Each psalm delves into different facets of spirituality and theology, blending lyrical language with philosophical depth.

The first psalm invites us to think of God in various metaphors, each evoking a different aspect of the divine. The opening lines, "Let us think of God as a lover / Who never calls," juxtapose the intimacy of a lover with the absence often felt in spiritual seeking. The poem explores the physical and metaphysical, suggesting that God's pleasure in us is unique and unrepeatable, much like human desire. The imagery of God as "a bronze / With green skin" and "a plane that draws the eye close / To the texture of paint" evokes a tactile, almost artistic appreciation of the divine. The psalm culminates in a mystical union, "kissing / God with the kisses / Of our mouths," blurring the lines between physical and spiritual love. The final lines emphasize our inseparability from God, merging life, death, and divine mystery into one.

The second psalm is a meditation on the silence and absence often encountered in prayer. It begins with a plea for forgiveness: "First forgive the silence / That answers prayer," highlighting the frustration and pain of unanswered prayers. The psalm then turns to introspection, asking for forgiveness for the impatience and misunderstanding that accompany spiritual seeking. The concluding lines, "Forgive God / For being only a word, / Then ask God to forgive / The betrayal of language," reflect the limitations of human language in capturing the essence of the divine.

The third psalm is a litany of the many forms and attributes of God. It presents a God of contrasts: "God of the Syllable / God of the Word / God Who Speaks to Us / God Who Is Dumb." This litany captures the paradoxical nature of the divine, encompassing everything from the tangible to the ineffable. The repetition of "God of" highlights the omnipresence and multifaceted nature of the divine. This psalm acknowledges the complexity of God, who is present in all things yet remains fundamentally mysterious and beyond human comprehension.

The fourth psalm focuses on the redemptive power of a new day. "The new day cancels dread / And dawn forgives all sins," suggests that with each new day comes a chance for renewal and forgiveness. The poem describes the relief and release that daylight brings, dispelling the fears and anxieties of the night. The transformation of the night’s terror into daytime clarity reflects a universal experience of hope and redemption. The cyclical nature of bad nights and new days serves as a reminder of life's rhythms and the continual opportunity for new beginnings.

The fifth psalm addresses the divine as both immeasurable and intimately involved in creation: "Lord of dimensions and the dimensionless, / Wave and particle, all and none." This psalm reflects on the scientific and mystical aspects of God, acknowledging the divine's presence in the smallest particles and the vastness of the cosmos. The lines, "Who lets us measure the wounded atom, / Who lets us doubt all measurement," capture the tension between faith and reason. The final plea, "When in this world we betray you / Let us be faithful in another," expresses a hope for redemption and faithfulness beyond the earthly realm.

In "Five Psalms," Mark Jarman masterfully weaves together themes of divine mystery, human frailty, and the search for meaning. Through rich metaphors and introspective reflections, he captures the complexities of faith and the multifaceted nature of the divine. Each psalm stands as a meditation on different aspects of spirituality, inviting readers to explore their own understandings and experiences of God.

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