In Richard Wilbur's body of work, "Love Calls Us to the Things of This World" emerges as a quintessential poem that encapsulates a recurring theme within his oeuvre: the emphasis on the tangible, physical world. Despite the lure of philosophical musings—a thread that is frequently woven throughout his poetry—Wilbur steadfastly champions the primacy of the tangible elements around us. He vividly articulates this in the poem, referring to them as "the world's hunks and colors." This perspective underscores Wilbur's belief that true meaning and beauty are realized through a keen, observational engagement with the world.

Wilbur's commitment to this theme is further evidenced by his decision to incorporate part of the poem's title into the name of the volume in which it was published, Things of This World (1956). This collection was notably recognized with a Pulitzer Prize, highlighting the significance and impact of his work. The poem serves as a touchstone within his larger body of work, reflecting his dedication to exploring the richness of the physical world and the beauty that can be discerned when one is attuned to the details of the everyday surroundings. Through his poetry, Wilbur invites readers to share in this appreciation, urging them to find wonder and meaning in the concrete aspects of life.

The poem delves into the heart of the creative process, exploring the intricate relationship between imagination and reality. At its outset, a freshly awakened soul whimsically transforms a mundane scene of laundry into a celestial vision of angels. This playful act serves as a metaphorical illustration, capturing the essence of creativity—viewing the familiar through a lens of wonder and reimagining it as something entirely new. By depicting this transformation, the poem highlights the power of metaphor, where a simple shift in perspective allows the ordinary to become extraordinary, illustrating the boundless potential of the imagination.

The soul, captivated by its own profound engagements, often finds itself in a state where the everyday world appears lackluster and devoid of inspiration. Mundane routines are perceived as a relentless assault on the potential joy each day holds. However, it is love—central to Wilbur's creative philosophy—that summons the soul back to embrace the physical realm with all its imperfections. This force that reconciles the soul and the body, even if it manifests as a "bitter love," remains an undeniable form of love. It is this very love that acts as the catalyst, compelling the soul to acknowledge and accept the realities of the waking body, thereby fostering creativity and expression in the tangible world.

Engaging with the world through metaphor allows the soul to embrace reality without dismissing the power of symbolic thought. A metaphor should be perceived as a tool, enriching our perceptions, rather than a mere distraction from truth. In a playful dance between imagination and reality, the speaker envisions laundry fluttering on a line as angels. This whimsical image is set aside as the speaker dresses, yet it leaves a lasting impression. The clothes, ordinary as they may seem, are forever transformed by this moment of creative vision.

Through metaphor, the mind draws new understandings from lived experiences. For instance, the speaker observes "the heaviest nuns walk in a pure floating/ Of dark habits," merging the tangible with the ethereal. Such imagery elevates everyday moments, infusing them with deeper meaning. When love calls the soul back to the waking world from the depths of sleep, it awakens with a renewed capacity to perceive the sacredness in the mundane. Each day, thus seen through the lens of metaphor, becomes "blessèd," a tapestry woven with both the seen...