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The power of the poem is largely to do with its visual associations. The way the text is meant to be printed (sideways), we view it as a set of wings. But the way it is when we read it, we view it as an hour-glass.
The message is perhaps only implied, but it is none-the-less pretty clear. The moment we see an hour glass, the broader connotations are apparent. Look at the image to the left and its meaning doesnīt elude you for long. Time is running out. In this particular instance, for the world!
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Herbertīs poem suggests both collectively, in the first stanza, and individually, in the second, that the sands are running. Itīs a persuasive argument, and it leaves the seventeenth century audience, and perhaps us, with a stark choice.
That brings us to the second application of the image: wings.
Iīve offered you wings in the context of angel wings. But wings of any description would perhaps do as well.
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It doesnīt take much imagination for wings to evoke feelings of freedom, and power, of flight, and beauty. How difficult a choice is it to trade the hourglass with its grim reminder of mortality and impending death with the wings that will allow us to soar above mortality and away from death.
The Easter context of the poem becomes apparent with the further evocation of Christīs sacrifice and Manīs redemption, thus shall the "fall further the flight in me."
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