Wings

The most central motif in the poem is wings, which also appear as a key symbol and as a physical element of the structure, as well as in the title of the poem. Wings are both a physical and a spiritual idea, and Herbert uses this literal-metaphorical relationship to emphasize both the earthly and heavenly significance of Christian faith.

The wing provides the physical structure for the poem. The shape of a wing is a clear and simple one which allows Herbert to neatly encapsulate the visual while also offering relative freedom in terms of the meaning of the poem. Yet the shape of the wing is not merely a decorative feature — it is also key in shaping the meaning of the words on the page. Language of strength, life, and elevation appear at the broadest points of each wing, dwindling down to the bleakest and...