“He hangs in shades the orange bright / Like golden lamps in a green night.”
It turns out that the poem “Bermudas,” from which this line was taken, was written about a group of sailors journeying in the 1600s presumably from somewhere in Europe to the islands of Bermuda; and it turns out that the “he” who turns the orange bright into “golden lamps in a green night” is in fact in praise of the God who kept the crew safe throughout their difficult journey and who brought them at the end to a truly wonderful land. As with all good poetry, there’s the potential for many take-aways. There’s the beautiful colors, particularly welcoming as they represent the culmination of a long and arduous voyage. There’s the emphasis on a religious deity and all the wonders and comforts that can come from the belief in such an omnipotent being. There’s the profound idea that that omnipotent being is not only at hand but also is actively working for each of us as a protector and as a provider of good. For me, one other piece stands out too. To the extent that a deity serves as such an active protector and provider, what about the possibility for each of us in turn to more consciously take action to protect, to nurture, and to provide for each other? What if each of us in a more active way tried to become, as they say, a beacon for reaching out and doing more good things in the world? Sometimes these kinds of admonitions can sound trite, but they’re also important. Those sailors on their own must have done a lot to help and support each other and to work to ensure the safety of every person on the crew. Even as they gave thanks and enjoyed their good fortune, I hope they acknowledged their own efforts, their teamwork, and the relationships which nurtured them throughout their many months at sea. I like the poem’s imagery, and I like the spirit of individual agency that calls each of us to take an active role in building community — in turn enhancing the kind of golden light Mr. Marvell wants so much for each of us to enjoy. How do these ideas resonate with you, and in what one or two ways this week might you be moved to take some action putting into practice your interpretation?
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AuthorI am a Life Coach, a Color Wisdom Card Practitioner, and yes, even a Professor (political science, State University of New York at Albany). I use the Color Wisdom Cards to support clients in exploring priorities and taking concrete actions to stay on track with the goals they set. Because in my own life I have overcome a lot of self-doubt, I want to work with people towards more confidence and self-empowerment. You can do it! What is it you want to do? Categories
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June 2021
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