provenances and proclamations in stephen gill’s

Songs before shrine

R. Anandam & G. Baskaran

Every work of art carries the burden of nation, melancholy of citizens, history of places and promises for future. Moreover, it offers a healthy outlet for poet’s voice. A harmonious blend of personal and impersonal sources is an essential for the production of a good art. Stephen Gill, the diasporic, faces conflicts internally in a comfortable zone. A sense of displacement, dream for peaceful co-existence, aspiration for proclamation, anger against weapon race, admiration for the multi-cultured and tolerant climate, cry for politics, propaganda for universal brotherhood, concern for environment, and minority grievances form the nuclei of his anthology of poems Songs Before Sunshine.

The poem “To Mother” is packed with the poet, Stephen Gill’s sense of guilt and nostalgia for mother’s love. Religious intolerance and communal riots forced Gill to seek a safer country. He moved to Ethiopia to take teaching profession. But, his interest for writing forced him to settle in Canada. He lived comparatively a peaceful life in both countries. Canada offered a perfect platform to experiment and master his poetic skills. Still, the poet is haunted by his past in India with a deep sense of remorse. He thinks of his dead mother and his native land which he has left behind for professional reasons. His sense of loss – both his native land and his mother – is well portrayed.

In his preface to Songs Before Shrine, the poet recollects his last moments with his mother. When the poet informed the mother of his decision to leave India, she did not stand in his way. But, she added that she would not see him again. Her eyes twinkled with a message, meaningful and sad. Her face beaten with age, industry and anxiety remained frozen in the memory of the poet. The poet writes :

Years have gone by

still

I see your tearful eyes. (“To Mother”)

Outwardly, the poet appeared calm. But, inwardly he was restless, lacked concentration and took to drinking. Dreams of communal violence in India made him sick. Mother used to appear in his dreams to reassure his mental balance. The poet observes :

Your name emanates

in pleasing designs. (“To Mother”)

Gill portrays his mother as image of Sacrifice and message of Hope. He fondly dedicates his lucrative life to her. Readers are moved to tears when Gill expresses his desire in the following lines :

Mother dear

I wish you were here. (“To Mother”)

In addition to mother, dove as a symbol of world peace is handled effectively by the poet. In his poem “Seeking the Dove of Peace”, Gill expects his readers to join him in the effort to bring peace to the world. At the same time, the poet records with displeasure that peace as a phenomenon has ever been an eluding factor ‘since Adam’s time’. But, his search is relentless. The poet seeks the bird everywhere ‘above the snow-capped hills / into the bewildered valleys’.

In his attempt to bring back the bird, the poet goes to the extent of enquiring even the beasts. The poet could faintly hear its melody, see its face, feel the beat, envision its flight, and smell its presence. In the last stanza, he tries to emphasize the idea of universal brotherhood and the need for solidarity. Citizen of the world must stand united ‘like brothers’ and work together for the cause of peace. The poet acknowledges their helplessness yet calls them not to abandon their effort in the following lines:

Though blind-folded

yet bound in a design

let us go. (“Seeking the Dove of Peace”)

Towards the end of the poem, he infuses a sense of urgency in the readers’ mind to find the dove of peace. The world with all its diversity and richness is a Heaven. Peace is the basic element which sustains its existence. If peace is displaced by lawlessness, human beings are deprived of their right to live. The poet calls for a collective effort to restore peace all over the world before it was too late. He concludes the poem with these lines :

Directing one another

let us march

to embrace that dove

before we die. (“Seeking the Dove of Peace”)

In his short poem “To Be”, Gill tries to explain the power of poetry and the reason why he wants to be a poet. The poetic muse converts the writer’s pen into a plough to sow the seeds of peace in his land. The ferocious tongues of the ongoing violence ‘fan the smoulders’ of the poetic spirit ‘into the burning flames’. The blaze will consume ‘all that is gross’ in his writing. His poetry thus emerges as a gold and shine eternally for peace.

The poet wants to produce a number of great poems to enlighten people.

I wish to harvest

a ripened manna of wonders

of the youthful bloom

for the court of enlightenment. (“To Be”)

Gill wants to validate the claim that diversity as a concept has its roots in the cosmic world. The spring season empowered by the poet’s lyrics dance to the song of life. Gill believes that his poetry has got strength to infuse life and enlightenment in people. He thinks that even nature would respond positively to his lyrics. So, the poet writes with a sense of confidence :

Fragrance of spring

sustain a structure of strength

with the braces of my lyrics. (“To Be”)

The poem “When” traces the evolution of universe and the origin of human beings which is contrasted with destruction and road to disaster. According to Big Bang theory, the universe was created from quark, a group of subatomic particles believed to form protons, neutrons etc. When the quark expanded, there was fusion between the atomic particles to form galaxies. In total, 10¹¹ galaxies form the universe. Thus, the universe evolved with atomic particles fusing one another. This fusion is the result of attraction between the particles to form new elements. This implies a harmonious relation between particles, which resulted in creation. Gill wants to emphasize his idea that mutual acceptance for variation would allow for evolution of new order. He says :

When

harmony was established

among the stars, sun, moon and earth

and every other object

the universe was carved. (“When”)

The second stanza of the poem ‘When’ traces the origin of human being in the world. According to the Bible, Adam and Eve reconciled God’s ways and paved the way for mankind proliferation. Darwin’s theory on evolution of species undermines mutual agreement between life forms which facilitated the origin of human kind.

When

harmony was fused

into the mind, soul, heart

and every other organ of the body,

the human was created. (“When”)

The third stanza portrays the origin of peace. Power of reason enabled human being to understand natural forces, domesticate wild animals and cultivate lands. Thus, mankind could establish harmony with external world to bring peace in life. The poet says :

When

harmony symphonizes

nature, humans

and every creature of animal kingdom,

Peace emerges. (“When”)

The last stanza strikes a warning for the entire world to reflect upon. The two world wars projected a gory picture of devastation. The womb of earth bleaded with thousand cuts. The nuclear bomb exploded hearts of million. Cold war promoted weapon trade. Mad race for super power status destabilized Republics. Partition resulted in separation of families. The scars on the face of humanity are so deep and painful that refuse to heal. The poet aptly recalls the past history of destruction and pain in the following lines:

When

harmony disintegrates

the gates of hell open wide

for lava to flow. (“When”)

In the preface, Journey of Stephen Gill : Autobiographical, the poet has impressed upon the fact that a person is largely the product of the environment. Canada is the best example of co-existence of a society with diverse cultures and faith. It is a country where the Government legally supports multi-culturalism to foster tolerance. Gill, particularly cherishes the tolerant attitude of the country to other races, and religions. Hence, the poet is full of praise for the country in the poem “My Canada”. The country is, according to the poet :

A nation so great

diverse and brave. (“My Canada”)

The country is the abode of peace, tolerance, and diversity. The conducive ambience that prevails in the country, the sense of security and self esteem enjoyed by the citizens are the product of the deliberate policies adopted by the Government. Canada is one of the most preferred countries for the people who wish to settle abroad. Hence, the poet rightly feels :

Thy soul

a serene temple

for every creed

for every breed. (“My Canada”)

In his poem “The Meechlake Fish”, Gill personifies terrorism as a crocodile. Often, terrorism assumes sacred titles such as holy war, religious duty, territorial sovereignty etc. Terrorism is operated under the disguise of politics, religion and race. The crocodile ‘with a tail for deliberate ruin’ is rightly compared to the Meechlake Fish. In this context, Gill makes an allusion to Canada’s first attempt at a major political reform. The Canadian Constitution Act (1982) allowed to make changes to the governing framework. Quebec had its own reservations. An accord was signed at a resort called Meech Lake. Canada was badly divided over this amendment. The accord poised to develop territorial division of the country. Many Canadians believed that Canada as a nation might break apart as it failed to recognize the unique status of the aboriginal people.

Gill criticizes the accord as ‘a crocodile of racial disharmony’. It disturbed the ‘crystal flow’ of life in the country. People who are afraid of racial discrimination ‘seek softer spots’. The writer, for instance, abandoned his home soil due to horrors of partition and communal riots in India. The poet is angry at politicians who divide people on imaginary lines. Canada is an example for ideal country. Life in Canada moves smoothly. But, the poet could spot autumn lurking along the banks. Provincial unrest will certainly divide the country and debase the name. So, the poet asks a valid question: Why does autumn lurk on the banks?

The poem concludes with another question to ponder about. Solutions for issues can be achieved through bilateral discussions. Successful negotiation should be balanced and realistic with mutual respect for both sides. Agreements will yield desired result if only people practice habits of tolerance and acceptance. But, in reality, discussion as a source for solving disputes is restored at last. Accords and agreements are always self-centered. People practice discrimination without sympathy. This state of affairs allow the crocodile of disharmony to lay and hatch their eggs. The poet wonders :

And why is there more excavation

for the hard-shelled eggs

of the crocodiles? (“The Meechlake Fish”)

The poem “Unfair Ophelia” is the poets’ brooding over his poetic career. Adopting the eternal lines from Shakespeare’s masterpiece, Hamlet (Act III, Scene I), Gill indulges in contemplation regarding the purpose of his poetry. Hamlet, in the play, suffers mental agony due to crisis at all levels, domestic, personal, and political. Similarly, the poet devastated by religious bigotry, insecurity, past memories, and anxiety to find his feet in the creative world involves in deep unreconciled contemplation.

Should writers resign themselves

to the stench of your structure

of injustice

braced by the barbs of bigotry

or uncover your ugliness

at the shrine of law and liberty? (“Unfair Ophelia”)

Shakespeare’s Ophelia is a sweet and innocent maid, meek, and submissive to elderly authority. She allows herself to become a helpless tool in the complications of the story. Likewise, violence in the hands of politicians like Laertes, Claudius and Polonius serves as a helpless puppet. The poet personifies it as a woman who dances to their delight and plays an unfair game. Violence is an endless road which takes

travellers nowhere. So, the author advices violence, personified as woman who is lacking in independent spirit, to play a fair game.

The main problem with the poet is whether he should go on writing uncovering human high-handedness or resign himself, which will be suicidal. Which is nobler in spirit? Is it worthy trying hard to produce a piece of art for self-appeasement? Or is it better to kill past memories in the poetic domain? Through his lament, Gill also proposes his theory on art of writing poetry. He, in his preface, “Me and My Poetry” states that poetry is a villa of glorious shape where every brick that is chiseled in a unique way belongs to its exact spot. Like other arts, poetry needs revision for perfection … Artists strive to touch the highest pinnacle of perfection, but perfection is confined to Divine Being who created the inheritors of His spark. Hence, the poet writes:

Writers must use their coin

that is the Lord’s wish. (“Unfair Ophelia”)

But, racial winds blow strong enough to deflower the poets’ hope for the better world. Can poets afford to reconcile the scorn and humiliation over minorities? Can poets turn deaf ears to the wrong and injustice inflicted upon minorities? These questions confront the poet to the point of madness.

Should poets

let the flower of hope be wasted

by the sickles of racial winds

is the question now. (“Unfair Ophelia”)

Violence bloom and flourish at the expense of public properties, loss of lives and brain drain. Communal disharmony and intolerance make intellectuals restless and incapable of productive action. So, they abandon their soil and seek refugee on the lap of their chosen land. This is a national loss, according to the poet. Demolition, Immolation and Humiliation are pointers to lunaticism. Such incidents project a dreary and ugly picture of the nation to the world. So, the poet chides at the various forms of human rights violation in a flat tone : You debase the name of the nation.

From time immemorial, politicians thoughtlessly use military power as a mean to settle political issues. The two world wars promoted enmity among nations and degraded human values. Thus, war proved to be an ineffective tool to bring peace in the world. The seeds of enmity have fostered hatred and intolerance. The seeds have grown as a deep forest, which does not allow light to enter. Hence, it is always dark and there is no way out. It engulfs all who enters the land. The poet warns the irrevocable nature of terror as follows :

Be soft

unfair Ophelia

fear the fire of that undiscovered land

from which no traveller has returned. (“Unfair Ophelia”)

The last stanza summarily projects his conviction. Ordinary people may remain indifferent and inert to the horrors, both modern and primitive. But, creative writers always look at the odd corner to unravel the eerie nature of elements. It is their moral obligation to write on such subjects to serve the society in their own way. The poets’ monologue serves as a vehicle of thought to illustrate his poetic theory, his aversion for atrocities and determination to create work of art.

Gill’s “A Question” is a direct attack on the mad race for nuclear supremacy. Countries enarmoured of nuclear capabilities are a lurking danger to world peace. The poet raises a volley of question and tries to evoke response from readers. The poem begins with these lines :

If the nuclear bombs drop

Will the buds bloom again?

Will the birds chirp again?

Will the spring return again? (“A Question”)

The ultimate victim of a possible nuclear holocaust will be the Nature. But, when nature takes its course of action, it is merciless. Nature appears to be resilient to abuse of all kinds. But, as science reports, the planet earth is still an active element with lava red hot at its core. Advocates of science compare the surface of the earth to the thickness of an apple’s skin. The poet registers his concern for environment when he asks:

Will rains kiss the earth again?/ …/ Will the dawn be born again? (“A Question”)

It is a popular opinion that if third world war breaks, the world will be reduced to ashes. According to the Bible, Noah’s ark came to the rescue when the world was destroyed by the deluge. But, man made vessels are too fragile and incompetent that no one can escape the wrath of nature. Even the Almighty will hesitate to spare any life on earth as man has broken the divine link. So, the poet concludes the poem with a shocking interrogation : Will God save anyone?

The ultimate objective of the poet, in writing poetry is to assert universal brotherhood. But, many barriers stand as goliath in the name of religion, nationality, race, etc. Man is born free but a series of link bonds him to confinement. The poet enters into a personal conversation with readers answering basic questions in the poem “I am still a man”.

The poet follows and respects Christian values just because he was brought up in a Christian family. He was not a Christian by birth. Thus, religion became the first link of his chain of bondage. It is human predicament to accept the religion of parents. But, he never isolated himself from festivals of other religion. In his article, “Me and My Poetry”, Gill says, : “We participated in the social festivities of the Holi and Diwali of our neighbourhood”.

The poet’s family lived peacefully in Sialkot. The breakup of the country separated his relatives and friends. Thus, partition played its role to fasten him in the endless chain. These knots are forced and irreversible. But, ironically, Gill disowns religions and nationality in these lines :

My religion

Was not my choice;

Yet I love all creeds…(I am still a man)

According to Hindu mythology, the process of Birth is manipulated by Lord Brahma, a three headed figure. He is the creator of life. If all life originate from Brahma, the poet‘s life also hails from the same source. In this fashion, Gill is also a child of the Hindu God, though he worship Christian God. The poet says: I am also/ Your God’s child. (“I am still a man”)

The poet witnesses horrors of partition when India was divided. In the article, “Me and My Poetry”, the author says : “Partition of India resulted in the death of around two million people and around fourteen million were forced to migrate from one country to another and about seventeen thousand women were abducted and raped”. There was chaos around. In Journey of Stephen Gill : Autobiographical, the author says : “That harsh and unfriendly atmosphere has shaped a global outlook in me”. So he says :

I am a human

I love human kind

smile, my friend

because

we are all one. (“I am still a man”)

The poet will be satisfied, at least if the people of India and Pakistan join together again. Like the poet’s chosen country, the two countries if united will emerge as a safer spot.

The minorities live a pathetic, insecure life and always looked as an outsider. In some cases, they are subjected to forceful conversion. In certain cases, they are threatened to migrate. These people undergo ingenius, illogical trails and tribulations to prove their innocence without any fault of their own. They are forced to live a miserable life in Government run relief camps with less food and little sanitation. They are objects of abuse and neglect by the majority. Gill offers prayer to God to protect these ill-fated people in “These children”.

It is to be acknowledged that the minorities also participate in the development of nation. They form the crux of multi-culture. In the article, Journey of Stephen Gill : Autobiographical, the author states that happy minorities will contribute towards nation building. If minorities feel secure, they will do everything to feel proud of their heritage.

It is fun to have flowers and fruits of different shades and kinds in the same orchard. Uniformity and homogeneity in the political and religious climate is a utopian thought.

Gill fervently prays to God to allow these people to flourish. In his prayer, he sends a piece of message that it is the duty of the Government to extend a moral support to minorities so that they add infinite varieties to the native culture. The poet writes:

Gardener

nurture the growth of these roots

with rare delicacies of concerns. (“These Children”)

According to the poet, the talents, knowledge and skills of minority people need to be identified which could be utilized for building the strength of the nation. Given the opportunities, they would prove a critical team to elevate the position of the country to the next level. The poet believes that minorities have much in store and they are unharnessed.

A flock of people from this neglected section of society have already enriched and projected the image of the country, India. Former President of Indian Republic, A.P.J. Abdul Kallam, for instance, contributed his mettle in the defence of the nation and occupied a permanent place in the hearts of Indians. He hailed from a minority religion. So, the poet appeals to the Government of world nations to give them due care in these lines :

The voyage

of the meaningful explorations

for the innerself

they have yet to embark. (“These Children”)

Gill’s rich experience at two different nations and their respective cultures and environments contribute enormously to the anthology, varying from violence to relationships. The poet’s attempt for tracing peace and his discomfort over it’s search are vividly presented in the poems chosen for study. He has also given a chance of experiencing both the partition moments and post independence fragrance in his poems.

References:

www.stephengill.ca

Gill, Stephen. Me and My Poetry

. . . Journey of Stephen Gill: Autobiographical

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R. Anandam & G. Baskaran are both lecturers in English at VHNSN College, Virudhunagar, 626001, INDIA – 626 001.