On the Word Asleep by James Agee:The poem and Analysis

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The poem

Asleep, perfected, you would never believe

Harm of a one of them. That stirring hand,

That leg, might clasp, endear, be brought across

An enemy, as gently as a wife.

How God must grieve,

Watching in all this shadow land

The flinching vigil candles of this countless loss

In night's nave each a life:

Who groans, smiles, murmurs, quiets; then on the horn

Transpierced, assembles upward, and reborn,

By all that skill and bravery crowns him with

Works, while he wakes, to put himself to death.

The Analysis 

"On the Word Asleep" by James Agee is a contemplative and somewhat cryptic poem that explores the theme of sleep as a metaphor for innocence, vulnerability, and the human condition.

The poem begins with the speaker reflecting on the nature of sleep, suggesting that in a state of perfect sleep, one would be unable to believe in the harm that others are capable of. This idea of sleep as a state of innocence or ignorance sets the tone for the rest of the poem.

The speaker then describes the vulnerability of the sleeping body, using imagery of a stirring hand or leg that could just as easily be loving or hostile. This imagery suggests the dual nature of human relationships, where love and violence can coexist in close proximity.

The poem then shifts to a more abstract and philosophical reflection on God's perspective on humanity. The speaker imagines God grieving as he watches the countless losses and struggles of human life, likening each individual to a vigil candle in a dark church.

The final lines of the poem introduce the image of a man who, upon waking, must confront the skill and bravery that define him but also lead him to his eventual demise. This image suggests a sense of resignation or acceptance of fate, as the man works to fulfill his destiny even though it leads to his death.

Overall, "On the Word Asleep" is a thought-provoking poem that uses sleep as a metaphor to explore deep and existential themes. Through its vivid imagery and philosophical musings, the poem invites readers to reflect on the complexities of human nature and the inevitability of mortality.