Sure on this shining night
Of star made shadows round,
Kindness must watch for me
This side the ground.
The late year lies down the north.
All is healed, all is health.
High summer holds the earth.
Hearts all whole.
Sure on this shining night I weep for wonder wand'ring far
alone
Of shadows on the stars.
Notes
The poem comes from a book by James Agee entitled "Permit Me Voyage" published 1934 by Yale University Press
Leave a guest comment (subject to review)
Comments
-
Sure on this shining Night
From guest Laurie (contact)
I love this poem and the Samuel Barber setting of it. I see no reference to death or suicide directly in its words. Rather, in a mere three verses, I see a beautiful contemplation of the benevolence of the universe, the feeling of connectedness, and the understanding that while human existence is a speck in the universe, it matters. Here's my take: On this shining night, with shadows cast by the stars above Surely the kindness of the universe is watching over me, here below. Harsh winter is far away In this moment all is forgiven, all is health The heavens hold the earth in warm embrace Hearts are restored. Tonight I weep for wonder that - though wandering small and alone - Surely we cast our shadow back upon the stars. -
This is a poem about what lies beyond this Earth and realm.
It's about longing for a place that must certainly eclipse the seemingly insurmountable beauty and light of this life.
In this poem, Agee is weeping for that place...
"On this night, when the stars are so bright as to leave shadows on the ground, Fate (or maybe a Guardian Angel) had better keep a close eye on me."
"Because, though all is warm and happy around me here on Earth, I long for what lies beyond this life."
"Though the starlight is beautiful and bright, I long for death, when I can exist in some place where shadows from some greater, unseen Heavenly light fall upon the very stars that seem to shine so brightly tonight."
Morten Lauridsen's composition of this poem, I feel, may give one a glimpse of what Agee was trying say. -
The Meaning...
From guest Steve Luker (contact)
This is a poem about what lies beyond this Earth and realm. It's about longing for a place that must certainly eclipse the seemingly insurmountable beauty and light of this life. In this poem, Agee is weeping for that place... "On this night, when the stars are so bright as to leave shadows on the ground, Fate (or maybe a Guardian Angel)had better keep a close eye on me. "Because, though all is warm and happy around me here on Earth, I long for what lies beyond this life. "Though the starlight is beautiful and bright, I long for death, when I can exist in some place where shadows from some greater, unseen Heavenly light fall upon the very stars that seem to shine so brightly tonight." If you listen to Morten Lauridsen's composition of this poem, you may get a glimpse of what Agee was trying say. -
singing this song.
From guest Rachel Garcia (contact)
we sang a rendition of this song in my high school choir. what I think it means is: on a beautiful night like this I'm hoping high thoughts are had by all those who knew me now that I am gone. autmn leads onward to the rest of our lives. time heals all, makes all healthy. for now, autumn hold the earth in a long, warm embrace. hearts are whole and full of love, now that all scars and pain have been healed with time. on this beautiful night, I'm sad and weep for those who have not yet found peace and still alone. they still only see the darkness, though there is light all around them. like the shadows of the stars. ...but thats just my interpretation....you don't have to take it...I just came up with it. but then again. I'm young. just 15 years old...I could be completely off...lol -
Sure on this shining Night
From guest Terry (contact)
I have been told by more than one that it is a contemplation of suicide. -
Born in November Agee may have been wandering around outdoors on his birthday (or any other night really) pondering the future. He would rather have people think well of him whilst he is alive and not have to wait for posthumous recognition
" Kindness must watch for me
This side the ground. "
As for the penultimate line
"Sure on this shining night I weep for wonder wand'ring far alone"
That is beautifully obvious to me. Watching the stars on a clear, crisp, autumn night is truly wonderous and thought provoking. Especially in solitude.
Jim
-
Interpretation
From guest Izzy (contact)
Would anybody care to share their interpretation of this poem? I'm studying the Samuel Barber adaptation for Soprano solo. Difficult to perform without knowing what it's about. All I have is that high-summer is autumn. Any other background on the poem would be helpful as well.
Adding your comment:
Forum topics
- Sure OnThis Shining Night by James Agee, with 2 responses
