review on' Blakes' poetry

Review of the William Blake

‘Songs Of Innocence and of Experience”

This delightful book of poetry holds no resemblance on the previous book by N.K Hayles called ‘writing Machines’.

Unlike ‘writing machines’ this work of art has authenticity, integrity and backbone.

It is a compilation of words twined with the visual. Two languages are been spoken here, a literal and a visual language. This use of words and design are used together to strengthen the impact of communication and Interputation.  Symbolism is also embedded within the designs of Blake, allowing for a deeper understanding into the meaning of the poetry. This poet had a very vivid imagination, one that was maybe more real to him than reality itself. He communicated his ideas and concepts through his collaboration of words, symbols and images resulting in a maximum impact conceptually and aesthetically.

 

I myself am also a printmaker so I can relate and understand the time and skill that is needed to create a copperplate etching. What I commend Blake on is his technique of hand painting the prints after the plate has been etched with the words and designs. So in fact every single print would be original as no two would be exactly identical. This truly reflects the honest artist he was. They were not intended to be editioned in large quantities. It was solely for the love of his work.

 

Two sets of poetry are included in this book, Firstly ‘songs of Innocence’ and secondly a series of poems named ‘Songs of Experience’. It is suggested in the book that there s no reason to suggest that when he composed the first he had already envisaged the second. It could be seen as a natural progression of ideas and beliefs in his work. The songs of Innocence may seem to reflect a younger poet who enjoyed nature. He created poetry from a world that he was inquisitive and curious about. While the songs of Experience might suggest a more matured poet on a plight to highlight the injustices and suffering in the world.

I think these works of art are both beautiful and masterfully executed. While at first glance the words and concepts seem simplistic they are intended for a deeper understanding, I felt the short definitions supplied in the back of the book did not do justice for a lot of the poems.

I became a little deflated and disappointed on reading them, not to mention the restriction they put upon my own thoughts on opinions.

 

Instead of deconstructing the poetry I tried to write a few lines of a poem …

 

 

 

 

A man of words, a love of life,

Reflected upon his etching knife,

An honesty that lives through a stretch of time,

An Integrity that shines through his bright design,

That holds the thoughts and seem,

To ignite a light, a spark, a dream.