The Red Wheelbarrow: An Image to Contemplate
A brief and simple poem by William Carlos Williams (1883-1963), gives us an unusual image to delight in. In my previous E-spiration (www.americancatholic.org/e-News/FriarJack/newlayout.asp?id=53), I offered several short Scripture passages for readers to ponder or contemplate. In a similar way, I offer here, for your heart’s enjoyment and contemplation, “The Red Wheelbarrow.”
The Red Wheelbarrow
so much depends
upon
a red wheel
barrow
glazed with rain
water
beside the white
chickens
Williams’ poem provides a fresh, simple “word picture,” which the reader can simply enjoy for its own sake without needing to analyze further. Just as I presented in last month’s E-spiration—the image of a loving couple enjoying and contemplating the setting sun—now we can stand in awe before a “red wheelbarrow glazed with rainwater beside the white chickens” and marvel about that wondrous image. I read somewhere that Williams wrote “The Red Wheelbarrow” rather quickly while looking out the window at the precious scene described in his poem.
In this poem, Williams Carlos Williams seems to be telling us that “so much depends upon” our having a sense of wonder as we observe the simple beauties of life and nature, as well as the beauties discovered in art and literature. Some years ago, my Franciscan confreres and I had a Franciscan literature teacher whom we deeply admired. During our seminary college years, this teacher often said, “Great literature does not save the soul; it makes the soul worth saving.”
Williams may have also wanted to say “so much depends upon” our being able to sit down before truth like a child and see the value in something, not because it can be used or manipulated for our selfish gain, but because of what it is in itself—because it has an intrinsic, God-given beauty or value.
What Are Your Thoughts
I first became acquainted with this poem in a literature class at Xavier University in Cincinnati, Ohio, in the early 1960s. For some reason, my memory still holds on to this rare gem. Maybe some of you reading this have thoughts of your own to share regarding the poem. I welcome your comments and insights!
This blog was taken from Jack Wintz, O.F.M.’s Friar Jack’s E-spirations. To subscribe to this popular, free e-newsletter, go to: http://www.americancatholic.org/e-News/FriarJack/default.asp
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Illustration: Idea go
About the Author
Jack Wintz
Jack Wintz, O.F.M., is a familiar face at Franciscan Media. His articles and photos have been appearing in the pages of St. Anthony Messenger magazine for over 38 years. He has been writing Friar Jack’s E-spirations for AmericanCatholic.org for over ten years. This free e-newsletter reaches over 50,000 readers around the world.|
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