The poetic parable on Love is found in Chapter III of The Visitor.
This blog is the first in a series of blogs which will in part explain what the words within The Visitor and The Corvus Chronicles mean to me, the author. (The Visitor is the first book in a series of eight books that together make up The Corvus Chronicles).
I am aware that there are different interpretations and meanings possible within the poetic parables and I would encourage each reader to understand the message unique to themselves.
As described in the prologue of The Visitor, the story may appear to be very simple, but it is not; and although I may have penned the words, the words are not exclusively mine.
The Visitor is a complex read which contains deeper meanings interwoven throughout which the reader may not notice during their first reading. The book itself was written in a state of prayer illuminated by the peaceful glow of seven candles.
The full poetic parable on Love contains 16 stanzas (64 lines) which stand independently but together weave one holistic message. In blogging "The Visitor; Re-Visited: I will explain parts of the poetic parables from the book one stanza at a time ; and then present that stanza with other stanza's in future blogs so the reader can see how the story is changed when viewed from a more holistic (sic) lens.
It is important to re-emphasize that I am only presenting the first stanza at this time. You may read the first seven stanzas of the poem on Love for free at https://www/michaelpaul.online
STANZA 1:
When Love beckons, do not sleep
And let none stand in defiance of;
Though cost be high and loss be steep
Leave doubt behind and yield to Love.
STANZA 1 Line 1 - When Love beckons, do not sleep
The narrator of The Visitor explains within the book how the visitor himself felt that words have become somewhat meaningless. Words like "Love" (which should only be used when describing sacred things like the spirit of another person, not chocolate or wine) have become so corrupted that they are meaningless. As such, it is not surprising that the visitor does not use the word Love to describe only "a feeling". It is not by accident that the word itself (Love) is capitalized throughout the entire novel. This is employing an intentional literary device meant to push the concept that Love is not an adjective, but rather a personal pronoun. This is part of the deeper meaning. Love is not just a feeling, as it is an entity. An entity capable of communicating or calling. When Love beckons is really depicting an entity calling out. A subject (Love) taking action (beckons).
STANZA 1 Line 2 - And let none stand in defiance of;
The visitor advises those assembled to hear his final message(s) that when Love calls - pay attention (do not sleep) - and awaken to the call. The second line of the first stanza is a message to respond and stay strong. It is the concept of Faith. The reader will also recognize that the word Faith is also always capitalized. Again, this is not by accident, but rather reflects my desire that people see Faith as a sacred word, which should always be capitalized.
As described in the novel The Visitor, the visitor is described as hopeless. Hopeless in the true sense that he does not believe in hope. The narrator of the story explains how the Visitor had to give up on hope and anchor himself to Faith, and then explains the differences between hope and Faith. In addition, within the line And let none stand in defiance of; the visitor calls us to be aware there are external entities (people, forces) that may not be supportive of the calling of Love.
These first two lines of the first stanza together convey a constant message found within The Visitor. Within these two lines the reader is again exposed to the dualistic view and dualistic nature of the visitor himself. The visitor views the world through extremes; such as hot or cold, in or out, black or white. Within the story The Visitor; the narrator describes how the visitor himself was unable to recognize the colours which reside within his black and white view of the world. It was only when finding Love (with his Beloved) that he was able to understand the complexities within Life. As such, one of the central characters in the book (the Beloved) is an important element in providing the visitor with his "missing peaces" (sic) which he shares on the eve of his death.
This concept of dualism is repeated throughout various sections of The Visitor. In the section of Joy and Sorrow, the visitor describes how joy and sorrow are simply two sides of the same coin and both arise from the same place within your heart. While one is awake, the other sleeps. The same concept is found when the visitor talks about Love and hate. They are also two sides of the same coin and cannot exist together. The visitor often warns about how hate will choke out the ability for Love to grow, and how Love can conquer hate.
STANZA 1 Line 3 - Though cost be high and loss be steep
This line in its simplest most direct interpretation is the concept of sacrifice. It does talk about the reward of sacrifice, but rather the cost. The reader will find this concept throughout the novel as well. For example in the poetic parable on Freedom (Chapter IV of The Visitor - The Needs of Many) stanza IX reads:
Even at costs that run dearly,
Like a cross / cross your back / on your knees
Then you may finally see clearly.
Then you may finally be free.
Here the visitor shares the concept of sacrifice when describing the price of Freedom. While this particular parable talks about personal Freedom, by raising the awareness of others who have given up their Freedom to provide for the Freedom of others; this particular stanza however directs the reader to the imagery seen within "The Stations of the Cross". Literally this is a description of acknowledging the ultimate sacrifice.
STANZA 1 Line 4 - Leave doubt behind and yield to Love.
The last line in the first stanza on Love circles back to the concept of Faith and Love. To leave doubt behind is to have Faith. With Faith, the Visitor encourages those who have come to hear his last words, to surrender themselves to Love.
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Such are some of the messages contained within only the first stanza on the poetic parable on Love. As described earlier, The Visitor is a complex read with very many levels of interpretation. Remember however that this is only the author's explanation of his understanding of the words. You as a reader may have a different interpretation, and that is good.
After all, it is never about being right, but rather about uncovering the truth.
Journey in Love
Michael Paul.