If you read a poem and like it,
don’t worry. Read it again.
don’t worry. Read it again.
‘Like’ is a lightweight word, even more so since FACEBOOK.
Like man, I mean really light. like a cloud or a feather, if you like.
‘Like’ is a snap judgement – I like it. I don’t like it. Something
appeals or does not appeal. like I’m not going to give it much
Like man, I mean really light. like a cloud or a feather, if you like.
‘Like’ is a snap judgement – I like it. I don’t like it. Something
appeals or does not appeal. like I’m not going to give it much
thought. I like calamari, I don’t like squid. But with a little study
I would discover calamari and squid are two words that identify
the same thing. So in this poem, if a person merely ‘likes’ it –
they need to read it again. Like is not a robust reaction.
I would discover calamari and squid are two words that identify
the same thing. So in this poem, if a person merely ‘likes’ it –
they need to read it again. Like is not a robust reaction.
If you read it again and still like it,
give it a rest, then read it again.
Let the poem mellow in your mind, then try it again.
Both you and the poem will be older and more mature.
If, on the third try, the word ‘like’
does not does not strike you
as poorly chosen and wrong,
throw the poem away.
Don’t read it again.
does not does not strike you
as poorly chosen and wrong,
throw the poem away.
Don’t read it again.
If a reader reads the poem again and the word “like’ is continues
to be the best word to describe how they feel about the poem, they
do not need to read it again. They have gotten everything they can
get out of the poem.
do not need to read it again. They have gotten everything they can
get out of the poem.
But if, you are persistent and lucky,
on the third try, you may recognize
your choice of the word ‘like’
to be a failure in judgment.
on the third try, you may recognize
your choice of the word ‘like’
to be a failure in judgment.
But, if on the third try they recognize that the poem is dealing with
deeper and larger issues than they originally thought, then they may
want to find a better word for their experience with the poem other
than ‘like’.
deeper and larger issues than they originally thought, then they may
want to find a better word for their experience with the poem other
than ‘like’.
Now you hear the poem dare you
to remove one article of opinion
from your overly dressed mind,
and you accept the dare and do.
to remove one article of opinion
from your overly dressed mind,
and you accept the dare and do.
Now as the reader ponders the poem he realizes the poem is a challege
to the way he perceives the world. We all live in the world dressed in a
to the way he perceives the world. We all live in the world dressed in a
suit of opinions. What would the world look like if we removed just one
of those opinions?
Finally, both you and the poem
have done your necessary work.
have done your necessary work.
As the reader has worked on the poem,
the poem has worked on the reader.
the poem has worked on the reader.
Now you stand less encumbered
by what you have mistaken to be
the manifesto of your active self.
by what you have mistaken to be
the manifesto of your active self.
‘manifesto’ = a statement of belief, in this case, a belief about who we think
we are. Most things we believe about ourselves are not mistaken, but some
things are. This poem challenges us to figure out what those things are and
remove them.
we are. Most things we believe about ourselves are not mistaken, but some
things are. This poem challenges us to figure out what those things are and
remove them.
Now you stand more nakedly
present to the being of the world.
present to the being of the world.
As we are a freer and more natural expression of ourselves,
so we can also have a fuller experience of the world.
so we can also have a fuller experience of the world.