An Interpretation

"Sprachgitter" by Paul Celan emanates from a deep sense of loss, which pervades Celan's writing. What is lost in this particular poem is a chance to connect, and it is lost because of the bars of language that keep us within our confined spaces. The reference to the eye conveys the connection that can be made visually, without words, between people. The eye looks upward, though, not at a person necessarily, but at the sky. In German, there is a much smaller verbal distinction between "sky" and "heaven," but I think the translator is right to translate "das Himmel" as "sky." The glance toward the sky or heaven also lets in the light, with its damning ability to show the darkest sins. The soul is seen through light, according to the poem, but the eye is also seared by a smoking splinter, perhaps a Biblical reference to Jesus' parable of the speck in one person's eye vs. the log in one's own. Whatever it is that sears the eye, whether it be guilt or pain, it cuts off communication between the "du" or "you" of the poem and the speaker. There is a yearning for connection in the last lines of the poem, but the yearning goes unfulfilled. That's all for now. More later perhaps.