Gridlock #1

V

Where is heaven, is it out beyond
The cosmos that we view and we explore,
With paltry instruments and little more
Than zealous theory, rapt religious bond?
I think sometimes that we are overfond
Of Ptolemeic notions, and a core
Belief that all our motions truly soar,
That magic circles us; we wave the wand.

Perhaps there is no heaven out past space;
That love is only in this earthly place,
And we should live like flowers on a rise,
And let the breezes sweep us to the skies;
That maybe heaven’s love’s not from afar,

Past distant stars; but just from where we are.

TPCASTT: 

Title

of poem means

   Sonnets from Space, this is a collection of sonnets. The individual sonnets don't have titles, but the name of the collection seems quite obvious...these sonnets are from space.

Paraphrase

parts of the Poem

On Earth we seek the arts

Out in space there is a mystery beyond parallel that has yet to be solved

Science and religion have often been at odds yet they are intertwined.

As long as there are mysteries in space, there will be life in the universe.

Connotation

of some of the words – changing literal meaning to implied or associated values

Arts, music, chord, peace, implying life and beauty in the universe. 

Attitude

What is the attitude of the author, characters or yourself?

The attitude is hopeful. That even with the troubles of the world, there will always be hope and life.

Shift

At first we think or feel one way – then there is a shift:  identify the shifts and explain them

The shift is between the first and second stanza. Switching from the mystery of space to the unity of the world.

Title revisited

Any new insights on meaning or significance of title?

Space, for this sonnet means unity. Mystery is the grand unifying factor.

Theme

I like to think that the theme of the sonnet is that space, and the mystery of it, unifies us as a people.