I did a study on this poem/painting for English in grade 12 and really liked it! I was going through my computer deleting old files tonight, and came across the paper I wrote, so I thought I'd share!
The painting by El Greco was compleated in 1579.
The poem was written by Earle Birney in 1953 after he saw an exhibit of the artist's works in France.
The carpenter is intent on the pressure of his hand,
on the awl and the trick of pinpointing his strength
through the awl to the wood which is tough.
He has no effort to spare for despoilings
or to worry if he'll be cut in on the dice.
His skill is vital to the scene and the safety of the state.
Anyone can perform the indignities. It's his hard arms
and craft that hold the eyes of the convict's women.
There is the problem of getting the holes exact
(in the middle of this elbowing crowd)
and deep enough to hold the spikes
after they've sunk through those bared feet
and inadequate wrists he knows are waiting behind him.
He doesn't sense perhaps that one of the hands
is held in a curious gesture over him--
giving or asking forgiveness?-
but he'd scarcely take time to be puzzled by poses...
Criminals come in all sorts, -
as anyone knows who makes crosses-
are as mad or sane as those who decide on their killings.
Our one at least has been quiet so far
though they say he talked himself into this trouble,
a carpenter's son who got notions of preaching.
Well here's a carpenter's son who'll have carpenter sons,
God willing, and build what's wanted:
temples or tables, mangers or crosses,
and shape them decently,
working alone in that firm and profound abstraction
which blots out the bawling of rag-snatchers,
To construct with hands knee-weight braced thigh
keeps the back turned from death.
But it's too late now for the other carpenter's boy
to return to this peace before the nails are hammered...
on the awl and the trick of pinpointing his strength
through the awl to the wood which is tough.
He has no effort to spare for despoilings
or to worry if he'll be cut in on the dice.
His skill is vital to the scene and the safety of the state.
Anyone can perform the indignities. It's his hard arms
and craft that hold the eyes of the convict's women.
There is the problem of getting the holes exact
(in the middle of this elbowing crowd)
and deep enough to hold the spikes
after they've sunk through those bared feet
and inadequate wrists he knows are waiting behind him.
He doesn't sense perhaps that one of the hands
is held in a curious gesture over him--
giving or asking forgiveness?-
but he'd scarcely take time to be puzzled by poses...
Criminals come in all sorts, -
as anyone knows who makes crosses-
are as mad or sane as those who decide on their killings.
Our one at least has been quiet so far
though they say he talked himself into this trouble,
a carpenter's son who got notions of preaching.
Well here's a carpenter's son who'll have carpenter sons,
God willing, and build what's wanted:
temples or tables, mangers or crosses,
and shape them decently,
working alone in that firm and profound abstraction
which blots out the bawling of rag-snatchers,
To construct with hands knee-weight braced thigh
keeps the back turned from death.
But it's too late now for the other carpenter's boy
to return to this peace before the nails are hammered...
- Earle Birney
