CBA7的心灵港湾
一个“自由撰稿人”，一个海外原创的个人文集。Write a poem simple, deep, and unforgettable.
In Praise of Mystery: A Poem for Europa
by Ada Limón
Arching under the night sky inky
with black expansiveness, we point
to the planets we know, we
pin quick wishes on stars. From earth,
we read the sky as if it is an unerring book
of the universe, expert and evident.
Still, there are mysteries below our sky:
the whale song, the songbird singing
its call in the bough of a wind-shaken tree.
We are creatures of constant awe,
curious at beauty, at leaf and blossom,
at grief and pleasure, sun and shadow.
And it is not darkness that unites us,
not the cold distance of space, but
the offering of water, each drop of rain,
each rivulet, each pulse, each vein.
O second moon, we, too, are made
of water, of vast and beckoning seas.
We, too, are made of wonders, of great
and ordinary loves, of small invisible worlds,
of a need to call out through the dark.
Source: This poem is in the public domain. Reprinted with the permission of The Library of Congress and the poet.
P.S. U.S. Poet Laureate Ada Limón is included on Time's 2024 Women of the Year list. Limón's poem “In Praise of Mystery: A Poem for Europa” will be engraved inside the Europa Clipper, a spacecraft set to launch on October 10, 2024, and begin orbiting Jupiter by 2030.
About the author
About Ada Limón | Academy of American Poets
【活动说明】
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Let's get some learning from the fun and get some fun from the learning!
The poem "In Praise of Mystery: A Poem for Europa" by Ada Limón explores themes of wonder, awe, and interconnectedness within the context of the natural world. Here's an analysis of the poem:
Imagery of the Night Sky: The poem begins with the speaker and others looking up at the night sky, marveling at its vastness and darkness. This sets the tone for contemplation and reflection on the mysteries of the universe.
Human Understanding of the Cosmos: The speaker acknowledges humanity's attempt to understand the universe by observing and studying celestial bodies like planets and stars. However, despite this attempt, there remain mysteries that elude our comprehension.
Mysteries of Nature: The poem highlights the wonders of the natural world that lie beyond human understanding, such as the songs of whales and birds. These mysteries serve to remind us of the limits of our knowledge and the beauty of the unknown.
Sense of Awe and Curiosity: The speaker emphasizes humanity's innate sense of wonder and curiosity about the world around us. We are constantly amazed by the beauty of nature, from the smallest leaf to the vastness of the cosmos.
Interconnectedness of Life: Despite the vastness of the universe and the darkness of space, the poem suggests that what unites us is not our isolation but our interconnectedness. The imagery of water symbolizes this connection, as water is essential for life and flows through all living things.
Humanity's Composition: The poem concludes by asserting that like the second moon Europa, humans are also made of water and wonders. We are part of the natural world, composed of both extraordinary and ordinary elements.
Overall, "In Praise of Mystery: A Poem for Europa" celebrates the mysteries of the universe, the beauty of nature, and the interconnectedness of all living things. It invites readers to embrace curiosity, wonder, and awe in the face of the unknown.