Angelic minds, they say, by simple intelligence
Behold the Forms of nature. They discern
Unerringly the Archetypes, all the verities
Which mortals lack or indirectly learn.
Transparent in primordial truth, unvarying,
Pure Earthness and right Stonehood from their clear,
High eminence are seen; unveiled, the seminal
Huge Principles appear.The Tree-ness of the tree they know, the meaning of Arboreal life, how from earth’s salty lap
The solar beam uplifts it, all the holiness
Enacted by leaves’ fall and rising sap.But never an angel knows the knife-edged severance
Of sun from shadow where the trees begin,
The blessed cool at every pore caressing us
An angel has no skin.They see the Form of Air; but mortals breathing it
Drink the whole summer down into the breast.
The lavish pinks, the field new-mown, the ravishing
Sea-smells, the wood-fire smoke that whispers Rest.
The tremor on the rippled pool of memory
That from each smell in widening circles goes,
The pleasure and the pang, can angels measure it?
An angel has no nose.The nourishing of life, and how it flourishes
On death, and why, they utterly know, but not
The hill-born, earthy spring, the dark cold bilberries.
The ripe peach from the southern wall still hot
Full bellied tankards, foamy topped, the delicate
Half lyrical lamb, a new loaf’s billowy curves,
Nor porridge, nor the tingling taste of oranges.
An angel has no nerves.Far richer they! I know the senses’ witchery
guards us like air, from heavens too big to see;
Imminent death to man that barbs sublimity
And dazzling edge of beauty unsheathed would be.
Yet here, within this tiny, charmed interior,
This parlour of the brain, their Maker shares
With living men some secrets in a privacy
Forever ours, not theirs.
The poem “On Being Human,” a profound exploration of existence by an unknown author, invites readers to contemplate the unique richness of human experience. This timeless piece beautifully contrasts the pure intellectual understanding attributed to angels with the vibrant, sensory, and emotional engagement that defines humanity. It is a celebration of our capacity to feel, taste, see, hear, and smell the world, arguing that these very sensations forge a special connection to life and even to the divine.
On Being Human Summary and Central Idea
The poem “On Being Human” presents a compelling argument for the distinct value of human life. It begins by describing angels as beings of pure intellect, capable of discerning the fundamental “Forms” or “Archetypes” of nature with unerring clarity. They grasp the essence of “Earthness” or “Tree-ness” without needing to experience them physically. However, the poem then pivots dramatically, asserting that angels, despite their profound understanding, lack the capacity for sensory and emotional experience. They cannot feel the “knife-edged severance of sun from shadow,” nor can they “drink the whole summer down into the breast” through breath and scent. The central idea of “On Being Human” is that our physical senses and the emotions they evoke are not merely limitations, but rather a unique and precious gift, allowing us to connect with the world and its Creator in ways inaccessible to purely intellectual beings. This poem ultimately champions the profound beauty and significance of our mortal, sensory existence.
Exploring the Essence of “On Being Human”
The poem establishes a clear dichotomy between angelic and human perception. Angels are depicted as possessing a direct, unmediated understanding of universal truths. The opening lines illustrate this:
Angelic minds, they say, by simple intelligence
Behold the Forms of nature. They discern
Unerringly the Archetypes, all the verities
Which mortals lack or indirectly learn.
This suggests a superior, abstract knowledge. Angels comprehend the “Pure Earthness and right Stonehood” and the “Tree-ness of the tree” in its most fundamental, conceptual form. They understand the mechanics of life, “how it flourishes on death, and why.” This intellectual grasp is presented as complete and unvarying.
However, the poem swiftly introduces the human counterpoint, emphasizing that while angels understand the *what*, humans experience the *how* and the *feel*. This is where the true essence of “On Being Human” lies. The poem argues that our physical bodies and senses are not merely vessels, but instruments of profound connection and understanding that angels simply cannot replicate.
Literary and Poetic Devices in “On Being Human”
The poem’s power and resonance are amplified through a masterful application of various literary and poetic devices. Understanding these elements unlocks deeper layers of meaning and appreciation for “On Being Human.”
Contrast and Juxtaposition
The entire poem is built upon a fundamental contrast between angelic and human experience. This juxtaposition is the primary engine of its meaning, highlighting the unique value of human sensation. For instance, the intellectual understanding of “Tree-ness” by angels is sharply contrasted with the human experience of a tree:
But never an angel knows the knife-edged severance
Of sun from shadow where the trees begin,
The blessed cool at every pore caressing us
An angel has no skin.
This direct comparison underscores that true understanding, for the human, involves physical engagement with the world, not just abstract knowledge.
Repetition and Parallel Structure
A striking and memorable device is the repeated phrase “An angel has no…” This refrain, appearing at the end of several stanzas, creates a powerful rhythmic emphasis and reinforces the central argument. Each repetition builds upon the last, systematically listing the sensory organs and capacities that angels lack, but which are vital to human experience:
An angel has no skin.
An angel has no nose.
An angel has no nerves.
This parallel structure makes the contrast stark and unforgettable, driving home the idea that these physical attributes are fundamental to our way of being.
Diction and Imagery
The author employs rich, evocative diction and vivid imagery to immerse the reader in the human sensory world. The language is carefully chosen to appeal directly to the senses, making the experiences described palpable. Consider the lines:
Drink the whole summer down into the breast.
The lavish pinks, the field new-mown, the ravishing
Sea-smells, the wood-fire smoke that whispers Rest.
Words like “lavish,” “ravishing,” and “whispers” create a tapestry of sensory detail, painting a picture of summer’s fullness. Similarly, the description of food is designed to tantalize:
The hill-born, earthy spring, the dark cold bilberries.
The ripe peach from the southern wall still hot
Full bellied tankards, foamy topped, the delicate
Half lyrical lamb, a new loaf’s billowy curves,
Nor porridge, nor the tingling taste of oranges.
These phrases are not merely descriptive; they are experiential, inviting the reader to recall or imagine the specific tastes, textures, and aromas, thereby emphasizing the profound pleasure derived from these human sensations.
Symbolism and Allegory
The poem functions allegorically, using angels and humans as symbolic representations of different modes of existence and understanding. Angels symbolize pure, disembodied intellect and abstract knowledge. Humanity, conversely, symbolizes embodied experience, sensory perception, and emotional depth. The specific senses—skin, nose, nerves—become symbols of our unique capacity for intimate connection with the physical world and the memories and emotions it evokes. The “Forms of nature” that angels behold symbolize universal truths, while the human experience of those forms symbolizes a more personal, subjective, and perhaps richer, engagement.
Assonance and Consonance
The poem’s musicality is enhanced through the skillful use of assonance, the repetition of vowel sounds, and consonance, the repetition of consonant sounds. Assonance contributes to a flowing, lyrical quality, as seen in the repetition of the short “i” sound in “life, and how it flourishes,” which adds a subtle rhythm. Consonance reinforces this auditory texture, for example, with the repeated “t” sound in “The ripe peach from the southern wall still hot,” emphasizing the warmth and richness of the fruit.
Enjambment and Flow
Enjambment, the continuation of a sentence or phrase from one line to the next without a pause, is used to create a fluid and dynamic rhythm. This technique encourages the reader to move seamlessly through the lines, mirroring the continuous flow of sensory experience and thought. An example can be found in the final stanza:
Far richer they! I know the senses’ witchery
guards us like air, from heavens too big to see;
The absence of punctuation at the end of the first line propels the reader forward, creating a sense of natural speech and an uninterrupted stream of insight.
Stanza Structure and Rhythm
The poem does not adhere to a rigid, uniform stanza length, which contributes to its organic flow and allows for varied emphasis. It opens with an eight-line stanza, establishing the intellectual realm of angels. This is followed by two four-line stanzas, which concisely present the angelic understanding of “Tree-ness” and then sharply introduce the first human contrast. The subsequent stanzas, each eight lines long, are rich with sensory descriptions, allowing ample space to list the myriad human experiences inaccessible to angels. This varied structure prevents monotony and allows the poem to build its argument with a natural, unfolding rhythm, culminating in the profound statement of the final eight-line stanza.
The Profound Gift of Human Sensation
The poem culminates in a powerful assertion of the unique dignity and privilege of human existence. While acknowledging the vastness of angelic knowledge, the final stanza suggests that human sensory experience offers a different, equally profound, form of connection to the divine:
Yet here, within this tiny, charmed interior,
This parlour of the brain, their Maker shares
With living men some secrets in a privacy
Forever ours, not theirs.
This concluding thought elevates human sensation beyond mere physical pleasure, portraying it as a sacred “privacy” shared between humanity and its Creator. Our capacity to experience the world through our senses, to feel “the pleasure and the pang,” is presented not as a limitation, but as a unique avenue to understanding and intimacy with the divine. It implies that the very act of being human, with all its sensory richness and emotional complexity, is a cherished gift, allowing for insights and connections that even the most intelligent angelic minds cannot access.
Conclusion
“On Being Human” is a beautifully crafted and deeply insightful poem that celebrates the richness and complexity of our mortal existence. Through its elegant contrast between angelic intellect and human sensation, the poem reminds us to cherish the everyday experiences that define our lives. It is a powerful testament to the idea that our senses are not just tools for navigating the world, but gateways to profound understanding, emotional depth, and a unique connection to the universe. The poem’s enduring appeal lies in its ability to inspire a renewed appreciation for the simple, yet extraordinary, joys of being alive and fully human.