Easter Wings

The poem "Easter Wings" by George Herbert is a poem full

of deep imagery not only in its words but also in the visual

structure of the stanzas. In Herbert’s poem why does he use

a shape poem? Because he wanted this poem to have many

different levels and meanings. Herbert also used huge

amounts of mental imagery so that the reader can find new

truths and meanings each time he or she reads it. The poem

tells of the poets desire to fly with Christ as a result of Jesus'

sacrifice, death and resurrection. The argument as to the

proper presentation of this poem is easily explained with the

help of the poet's address to the "Lord" in the opening line of

the first page in the original text. Because this poem is

actually a work within a work with many hidden meanings

and suggestions. To fully understand it all, one must examine

the poem as a whole in greater detail. The poet is the

obvious speaker in the poem due to the common use of "I"

and "me" through out the poem. The audience is also

revealed in the first line of the 1634 edition of the poem with

the use of the word "Lord"; meaning the Christian Savior,

Jesus Christ who rose from the dead. But there is question

as to where the poem truly begins. This is due to the splitting

of the poem onto two separate pages, and then turned ninety

degrees so it must be read sideways. This is done on

purpose to invoke the vision of wings on both pages. This

fact must be considered when evaluating where it begins and

whether it is in fact two poems instead of one larger one.

"Lord, who createth man in wealth and store" is the

beginning of this poem, helping to immediately establish the

audience in the first word. As well, this fact help to reveal

that this poem is also a prayer of Herbert’s. The appropriate

layout of the poem is still the "winged" look necessary for the

full impact of the imagery. It is the imagery in this poem that

deserves special notice as it gives a much deeper

understanding of what Herbert is saying. The first stanza

shows the fall of man from the "wealth" that is in God's

holiness into the "decaying" life of a sinful nature:

"Lord, who createst man in wealth and store,

Though foolishly he lost the same,

Decaying more and more

Till he became

Most poor:"

As the ...

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.... Furthermore, this physical act of

turning requires a decision. Since, biblically speaking, God

does not enter unless invited, our act of turning the book

reflects our freedom of choice and God's response is

initiated. that how man's decline because of sin was defeated

by the actions of the cross. So the point of Herbert’s work

"Easter Wings" May not actually be obtainable just with one

reading, or for that case many readings. But Herbert did

show us that using shape and imagery throughout his poem

that many different meanings and points can be made within

one poem. He also helped us to understand what he viewed

as right and wrong, he used imagery throughout his poem to

give us a sense into his life and his value system. In doing so

he gave the readers of his poems a chance to find all of the

truths and meanings in his poem. Lastly in Herbert’s poem

he wants us to be grateful of the gift that God has given to

us, by allowing his only son to die for the salvation of our

sins to make us washed clean with grace, it is this action

which allows all of mankind, and not just Herbert, to be

grafted into Jesus' wing to "further the flight" in us all.