A NOTE FROM T. READER
This is a deceptively simple poem that is intricately layered with formal qualities that help carry it along. Each of the 4 lines has 7 syllables. Most of the words are mono-syllables, with only 4 words with more than one: beauty, behold (as you put it back together across lines 3 and 4), bestow, and something (used twice).
The long "e" marches through each line: we speak, we see, we be(hold), we be(stow). The second line, the line about perception and knowledge, is composed entirely of simple words from an elementary speller.
Finally, the breaking of be/hold - which may be, arguably, an ugly move - nonetheless disperses language so that the reader can engage in the sport of re-gathering the four separate meanings for the conclusion of the poem:
Beauty is
...something we be
...something we hold
...something we behold
...something we bestow
14 September 2012
Beauty
we dare to speak of beauty
as if we can see and know
but is it something we be-
hold, or something we bestow
A NOTE FROM T. READER
This is a deceptively simple poem that is intricately layered with formal qualities that help carry it along. Each of the 4 lines has 7 syllables. Most of the words are mono-syllables, with only 4 words with more than one: beauty, behold (as you put it back together across lines 3 and 4), bestow, and something (used twice).
The long "e" marches through each line: we speak, we see, we be(hold), we be(stow). The second line, the line about perception and knowledge, is composed entirely of simple words from an elementary speller.
Finally, the breaking of be/hold - which may be, arguably, an ugly move - nonetheless disperses language so that the reader can engage in the sport of re-gathering the four separate meanings for the conclusion of the poem:
Beauty is
...something we be
...something we hold
...something we behold
...something we bestow
A NOTE FROM T. READER
This is a deceptively simple poem that is intricately layered with formal qualities that help carry it along. Each of the 4 lines has 7 syllables. Most of the words are mono-syllables, with only 4 words with more than one: beauty, behold (as you put it back together across lines 3 and 4), bestow, and something (used twice).
The long "e" marches through each line: we speak, we see, we be(hold), we be(stow). The second line, the line about perception and knowledge, is composed entirely of simple words from an elementary speller.
Finally, the breaking of be/hold - which may be, arguably, an ugly move - nonetheless disperses language so that the reader can engage in the sport of re-gathering the four separate meanings for the conclusion of the poem:
Beauty is
...something we be
...something we hold
...something we behold
...something we bestow
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
That makes my brain hurt. Hopefully growing pains?
ReplyDeleteAmber,
DeleteThanks for your comment, I think! Perhaps the note from T. Reader is swamping the poem - hope not.
The poem is making the gentle argument that "beauty" is bequeathed, an accolade placed upon the person, thing, act, etc. not read off of them/it. So, that what the world may call ugly, I/we may bless, dub, bestow as beautiful.
So, of course, all 3 of the inherent/essentialistic meanings (be, hold, behold) give way in favour of the 4th: bestow.
Peace,
B.R.
I mean that as a complement! Reminded me of grad school days when the material I was absorbing was at a higher frequency of intellect that I was used to. There were moments when I could feel my brain sprout a new neuron.
ReplyDeleteHey Amber,
DeleteThanks for your kind comments! Hope all is well on your end. Look forward to your next entry on SHOCKblog.
Peace,
B.R.
Peace,
B.R.