Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

In "Soaring," Charles Baudelaire constructs a liberating narrative that stands in contrast to the often pessimistic, angst-ridden themes prevalent in much of his other work. The poem begins with the poet's soul embarking on a journey that extends beyond physical landscapes like "lake and pond, mountains and woods," beyond the sky and even "beyond the ethereal space." This verticality of movement symbolizes the spiritual quest for transcendence and purity, unshackling itself from the "miasmic ills" of earthly existence.

Baudelaire's soul is characterized by its active wing, likened to "some strong swimmer with the waves can play." This image evokes both skill and joy in navigating the ethereal realms. The soul's journey is not simply an escape; it is also a dance, an exploration, something that brings "manly and unspeakable delight." This notion of delight is intriguing, as it challenges conventional views that spirituality is solemn or austere. Instead, Baudelaire suggests that the soul's quest for purity is exhilarating.

The poem introduces a thematic dichotomy between the earthly and the divine, the tangible and the ethereal. The soul's journey is an escape from earthly afflictions ("earth's miasmic ills") towards a purer, celestial realm. It is a process of purification, where the soul can "drink, as of a heavenly wine and rare, the fire which all the limpid spaces fills." The word "fire" evokes notions of divine illumination, suggesting that the soul is not just leaving behind the corporeal world but is also absorbing the essence of divinity.

The turn in the poem, expressed through the phrase "From all the annoys, and all the griefs and pains," addresses the terrestrial burdens we carry. According to Baudelaire, these burdens weigh down our existence, but there's a possible reprieve for those who can rise above them. The last stanza compares "high thoughts" to larks, birds known for their aerial acrobatics and symbolic of freedom. Just as larks soar towards the morning sky, so can human thoughts ascend to higher realms, finding solace and understanding in a more elevated existence.

The line "Of flowers and all things dumb the silent speech" is poignant. Baudelaire suggests that in this ethereal realm, even the inanimate and silent elements of nature speak to the soul, imparting wisdom or comfort that is ineffable but profoundly meaningful. This reflects a pantheistic undercurrent, where all elements of nature, even the "dumb" or silent ones, possess a sort of divinity that becomes intelligible in higher states of consciousness.

The poem, in its entirety, can be seen as a meditation on the possibilities of spiritual transcendence and the nourishment it offers. It encourages the reader to consider the liberating power of the human soul and mind when unburdened by worldly cares. With "Soaring," Baudelaire adds a surprising but enriching dimension to his poetic oeuvre: a luminous vision of spiritual upliftment.

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