'Man Carrying Bale' Summary

Harold Monro's poem "Man Carrying Bale" is a simple yet powerful meditation on the strength and resilience of the human spirit. The poem describes a man carrying a bale of goods through a landscape of sun and wind. The man's task is difficult, but he carries on with determination.

The poem begins with the speaker observing the man from a distance:

A man is carrying a bale on his shoulders

Across the landscape, past the trees.

The sun is shining, the wind is blowing,

But he carries on with ease.

The speaker then imagines himself in the man's place, feeling the weight of the bale on his own shoulders:

I feel the weight of the bale on my shoulders,

The rhythm of his steps in my stride.

I am the man carrying the bale,

And I am carrying the world beside.

The poem then shifts to a more philosophical tone, as the speaker reflects on the nature of work and the burdens of life:

Work is a burden, but it is also a blessing.

It is what gives our lives meaning and purpose.

The bale is the burden that we all carry,

But it is also the source of our strength.

The poem concludes with a reaffirmation of the human spirit's ability to overcome adversity:

I am the man carrying the bale,

And I am not alone.

There are others like me,

And we will carry on.

Essence and Spirit of the Book

The essence and spirit of "Man Carrying Bale" is captured in the following lines:

I am the man carrying the bale,

And I am carrying the world beside.

These lines suggest that the man carrying the bale is a symbol of all of us, as we struggle to carry the burdens of our lives. However, the poem also suggests that we are not alone in our struggles, and that we can overcome adversity through strength and determination.

Conclusion

"Man Carrying Bale" is a beautiful and moving poem that celebrates the strength and resilience of the human spirit. It is a poem that will stay with you long after you finish reading it.