By Robert Lowell
Our fathers wrung their bread from stocks and stones
And fenced their gardens with the Redmen’s bones;
Embarking from the Nether Land of Holland,
Pilgrims unhouseled by Geneva’s night,
They planted here the Serpent’s seeds of light;
And here the pivoting searchlights probe to shock
The riotous glass houses built on rock,
And candles gutter by an empty altar,
And light is where the landless blood of Cain
Is burning, burning the unburied grain.
commentary about Children Of Light
Children Of Light is a thought-provoking poem that reflects on the complex history and identity of a group of people who were pioneers in a new land. The poem is rich in imagery and symbolism, inviting the reader to delve deeper into its layers of meaning.
The opening lines reference the hardships faced by the settlers, who had to toil and struggle to survive in a harsh and unforgiving environment: “Our fathers wrung their bread from stocks and stones / And fenced their gardens with the Redmen’s bones.” The mention of “Redmen’s bones” highlights the violent and exploitative relationship between the settlers and the native peoples whose land they colonized.
The second couplet introduces the religious aspect of the settlers’ journey: “Embarking from the Nether Land of Holland, / Pilgrims unhouseled by Geneva’s night.” The poet alludes to the Calvinist roots of these pilgrims, who sought refuge and religious freedom in the New World. This religious background is significant, as it informs the themes of light and darkness that run throughout the poem.
In the third couplet, the poem states that the settlers “planted here the Serpent’s seeds of light.” This line is both evocative and ambiguous. The “Serpent” could be a reference to the biblical serpent in the Garden of Eden, suggesting that the settlers brought with them not only light, but also the seeds of their own eventual downfall. Alternatively, the Serpent may represent wisdom and knowledge, implying that the settlers were responsible for the intellectual and spiritual growth of the new society.
The next lines focus on the modern world that has emerged from these beginnings: “And here the pivoting searchlights probe to shock / The riotous glass houses built on rock.” The imagery of searchlights and glass houses emphasizes the fragility and vulnerability of the society, suggesting that despite the progress that has been made, there is still much to be questioned and examined.
In the final lines, the poem returns to the themes of light and darkness, stating that “candles gutter by an empty altar, / And light is where the landless blood of Cain / Is burning, burning the unburied grain.” These lines evoke a sense of desolation and loss, as the empty altar and the guttering candles suggest the absence of spiritual fulfillment. The reference to “the landless blood of Cain” implies that the descendants of the settlers are still marked by the sins of their forefathers, and that the light they seek remains elusive.
In conclusion, Children Of Light is a powerful poem that invites readers to reflect on the complex and multifaceted nature of history, identity, and the search for meaning. By skillfully weaving together themes of light and darkness, the poet raises questions about the true nature of progress, the lasting impact of our actions, and the struggle to find redemption in a world that is both illuminated and shadowed by the past.