Culture Poem by Ralph Waldo Emerson
Culture
Can rules or tutors educate
The semigod whom we await?
He must be musical,
Tremulous, impressional,
Alive to gentle influence
Of landscape and of sky,
And tender to the spirit-touch
Of man's or maiden's eye:
But, to his native centre fast,
Shall into Future fuse the Past,
And the world's flowing fates in his own mould recast.
beautiful poem penned on the theme of love, beauty and emotion.. it's a reflection on the ideal future leader or "semigod" who is both sensitive to beauty and emotion, yet strong enough to shape and transform the course of the world.
Why is this rated low but member poems are all rated highly? Are we a bit harsh on Emerson?
This poem has not been translated into any other language yet.
I would like to translate this poem
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8/6/2026 2:55:39 PM # rel_20260806T081513Z_580e7f4
The demigod of his times is certainly different from the heroes of our times- Rambo and Dirty Harry. One doesn't think of our heroes in terms of sophistication, music, sensitivity, education. ,
You said it very well, Susan..
I agree Susan.....Emerson seems to have someone like Oscar Wilde in mind.