Excellent insight, King Arthur.

kol tuv, Ryfkah


In a message dated 05.07.03 3:34:36 AM, [log in to unmask] writes:

<< Isn't there a danger of being too cerebral when we read poetry at the

intensity and with the depth of analysis that you and Carl are practicing

here. Don't misunderstand me, the List is a workshop, work is submitted for

comment and so comment is presumably invited. In-depth analysis can benefit

the analyser and the analysed and is to be applauded when it does. I do not

think I read Thomas or Heaney or Hughes, though with that degree of

intensity and I have to admit that if I did I feel I would miss much that is

required to be 'enjoyed' in a piece. If I were required to write an essay or

even perhaps if I were intrigued as to how a poet had managed to make a poem

capture me so well I might pull a poem apart. But when we pull a poem apart

aren't we just left with a handful of words.

The poem in question spoke to me through the repetition which was repeated

almost like a mantra, almost a reassurance of the poet by the poet but try

as she might she was developing all the things she disliked and feared ( or

perhaps just did not want to recognise as inherent in herself ) in her own

mother. All the evidence she presented indicated that perhaps she was

becoming that which she averred she was not and a fine tension was evident

but more than that that there exists a sisterhood which cannot be shaken off

nor dismissed by a five word assertion. Now that is how the poem struck me

straight off and I do not think analysis would let me glean morethan that

nor do I think I would gain more as poet and a person, a man, by indulging

in any greater depth of reading. That is just my opinion , of course, and I

am a mere man reading a poem written by a woman about the nature of her

womanhood and dare not go to close to such a subject. regards Arthur. >>