May you please help me analyze this poem?

Question

I have to present it tomorrow and talk about it, yikes! She doesn't use any rhyme, but her original was in Spanish. It is pretty straightforward, and I don't see too much poetic devices or rhymes... but it's beautiful. Since I don't see any poetic devices I was just going to talk about what it is written for, what she really means... any help? please...

Decalogue of the Artist


I. You shall love beauty, which is the shadow of God
over the Universe.

II.There is no godless art. Although you love not the
Creator, you shall bear witness to Him creating His likeness.

III.You shall create beauty not to excite the senses
but to give sustenance to the soul.

IV. You shall never use beauty as a pretext for luxury
and vanity but as a spiritual devotion.

V. You shall not seek beauty at carnival or fair
or offer your work there, for beauty is virginal
and is not to be found at carnival or fair.

VI. Beauty shall rise from your heart in song,
and you shall be the first to be purified.

VII.The beauty you create shall be known
as compassion and shall console the hearts of men.

VIII.You shall bring forth your work as a mother
brings forth her child: out of the blood of your heart.

IX. Beauty shall not be an opiate that puts you
to sleep but a strong wine that fires you to action,
for if you fail to be a true man or a true woman,
you will fail to be an artist.

X. Each act of creation shall leave you humble,
for it is never as great as your dream and always
inferior to that most marvelous dream of God
which is Nature.


- Gabriela Mistral

Translated by Doris Dana

Answer 1

hi.. this is my interpretation of the poem.. i think this poem talks about the real meaning of beauty. you are not creating something beautiful and unique for the sake of fame and riches.. it has to come from the heart, there should be passion for it.. beauty in the poem is sacred.. so it should not be touched or inspired by the false pleasures here on earth.. the perfect source of beauty is God, and no one can equal that.. since we are made in His image and likeness, we are obliged to spread that beauty through our own ways so His love too will be felt.. the only way to see and share beauty is to abide with the truth.. no matter how tragic or painful it is, truth must prevail.. then you'll understand and see beauty.. well, that's all about it.. good luck on your presentation... take care..