A Certain Evening

By Gilbert Keith Chesterton

Narrative Poem
    That night the whole world mingled,     The souls were babes at play,     And angel danced with devil.     And God cried, 'Holiday!'     The sea had climbed the mountain peaks,     And shouted to the stars     To come to play: and down they came     Splashing in happy wars.     The pine grew apples for a whim,     The cart-horse built a nest;     The oxen flew, the flowers sang,     The sun rose in the west.     And 'neath the load of many worlds,     The lowest life God made     Lifted his huge and heavy limbs     And into heaven strayed.     To where the highest life God made     Before His presence stands;     But God himself cried, 'Holiday!'     And she gave me both her hands.

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Poem Details

Language: English
Keywords: Public Domain
Source: Public Domain Collection
Rights/Permissions: Public Domain
Analysis & Notes:
This poem weaves a vivid and whimsical narrative, centered on the theme of cosmic unity and divine playfulness. The mood is celebratory, underpinned by the recurring refrain, "God cried, 'Holiday!'" This phrase not only sets a jovial tone but also implies a divine sanctioning of the chaos that unfolds.

The structure of the poem follows a pattern of fantastical reversals and incongruities, from the sea climbing mountain peaks to the sun rising in the west. These playful contradictions suggest a world turned upside down, where natural rules are upended, perhaps symbolizing the transcendence of limiting beliefs or societal norms. This is further emphasized by the imagery of the lowest life ascending to heaven, suggesting a leveling or democratization of existence. The poem is rich in metaphor, personification, and hyperbole, which amplify the surreal, dreamlike quality of the world being described. The concluding lines, in which "the highest life God made" gives the speaker both her hands, might be interpreted as a moment of divine connection or unity, further underlining the poem's overarching theme.

Exploring Narrative Poetry

Narrative poetry is a form of poetry that tells a story, often making use of the voices of a narrator and characters as well. Unlike lyric poetry, which focuses on emotions and thoughts, narrative poetry is dedicated to storytelling, weaving tales that captivate readers through plot and character development.

Narrative poems are unique in their ability to combine the depth of storytelling with the expressive qualities of poetry. Here are some defining characteristics:

  • Structured Plot: Narrative poems typically have a clear beginning, middle, and end, following a plot that might involve conflict, climax, and resolution, much like a short story or novel.
  • Character Development: Characters in narrative poems are often well-developed, with distinct voices and personalities that drive the story forward.
  • Descriptive Language: The language used in narrative poetry is vivid and descriptive, painting a clear picture of the scenes and events, while also conveying the emotions and atmosphere of the story.

From ancient epics like "The Iliad" and "The Odyssey" to more modern narrative poems, this form continues to engage readers by blending the art of storytelling with the beauty and rhythm of poetry.