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Comment 34 of 114, added on November 28th, 2005 at 3:16 PM.
A poem should not mean, but be", as somebody somewhere once said. I'm
not entirely sure that the quote says quite what it means, or means
quite what it says - or says what i want it to mean, words being
notoriously treacherous things - but i do think it is something worth
thinking about.
for me, a poem's meaning/being/poetry/whatever - like a song's - comes
through as much in its shape and sounds as in the dictionary
definitions and historical references of the words used. like pullman
complaining that english class with its dogma of similes and metaphors
and iambic pentameter teaches us to decode rather than appreciate
poetry (consequently removing the actual *poetry* from the experience
- besides which, what is the point in trying to decode a poem's
meaning when the poem IS the meaning?) i would press for a more
intuitive relationship to this poem - or any other good poem, for that
matter.
i feel that the person who complained that this is not poetry because
it does not communicate is missing the point somewhat: what they must
mean is that it does seem to offer moral instruction, personal
feeling, coherent narrative or philosophical argument (i would argue
that it offers all of these things, but i'm aware this post is
becoming lengthy).
there is a point at which one stops thinking of poems as good or bad -
either they are poetry, or they are not. this is poetry. see what new
roads it can lead you to; see what new thoughts it can ignite - and,
if you like, explore them. talk about them.
or, if you prefer, just look at the words and hear the sounds, as i
do.
al from United Kingdom
Comment 33 of 114, added on November 12th, 2005 at 12:03 PM.
So much depends on the dusty bunny
A white bunny
lay face down
on the unmade bed
with an orange tag
stricking out of its buttocks
There! my poem is even longer than his and mine is better! and don't try to
analyze it...the white bunny is just white, I'm not racist! f*cking idiots
By the way, if you guys liked the red wheel barrow, you GOTTA read "This is
Just to Say"....(its about Plums)
Bianca and Christina from Canada
Comment 32 of 114, added on October 26th, 2005 at 1:58 PM.
Yes, James, and you are so perfect in how you write. I didn't realize "u"
was a word. And, last I checked, "whos" is supposed to have an apostrophe.
Mike Vacha from United States
Comment 31 of 114, added on October 23rd, 2005 at 3:25 PM.
I cannot believe that some people do not get the beauty out of this poem.
The most intriguing thing about Williams is that he is able to write
photographic poetry. By that I mean that his technique of imagery is so
vivid that in almost all of his poems, the reader is able to see and
visualize the object that is being written about in its entirety, almost as
if standing right in front of it. This poem may not have a deeper meaning
but I love the use of imagery that Williams creates throughout all of his
poems.
D. Justice from United States
Comment 30 of 114, added on October 22nd, 2005 at 7:35 PM.
I think that this very simple poem is very beautiful with lots of imagery.
But I thought this poem was written after the death of the author's son, a
reflection of sorts.
Danielle from United States
Comment 29 of 114, added on October 17th, 2005 at 4:32 PM.
hi, just wanted to say to Mike Vacha, obviously u are very ignorant for
saying what u said about the red wheelbarrow, second, stupidist is NOT a
word, and second, its actually *the most stupid*, so...correct me if im
wrong, whos the stupid one? if u can't get write correct grammar, maybe you
shouldnt be criticizing anything now huh?
James from United States
Comment 28 of 114, added on October 13th, 2005 at 3:20 PM.
To me, this poem is simply about the unexpected beauty that can sometimes
be found in the simplest and most inconsequential things. Sometimes
something that is absolutely ordinary can be stunningly beautiful. If
you're lucky, you stumble on something like that once in a while and
hopefully have the presence of mind to savor the experience, if only for a
fleeting moment. To me, this poem is about such a moment. The imagery is
very simple and understated, but, at the same time, extremely vivid. When I
read this poem, I can see that rainwashed wheelbarrow as clearly as if it
was sitting in front of me, and I can hear the chickens clucking as they
mill about pecking at the soil in search of bugs and worms. I am there,
savoring that moment along with Williams, and I am grateful that he
preserved it for us with these sixteen powerful words.
Shazzie from United States
Comment 27 of 114, added on October 3rd, 2005 at 9:48 AM.
I have to agree with an earlier comment that this poem is about "a red
wheelbarrow after a rain with chickens around it!" Sometimes a poem is just
a poem. Williams wrote poetic photographs--lovely, concrete, simple. Just
enjoy.
Jane Ellen from United States
Comment 26 of 114, added on September 29th, 2005 at 3:23 PM.
This is the single stupidist piece of lierature I have read in my entire
life. There is no meaning to read into because it is only 16 words. You
cannot successfully put a deeper meaning in 16 words. Everyone should foget
this poem even exists.
Mike Vacha from United States
Comment 25 of 114, added on September 24th, 2005 at 4:25 PM.
this poem is not meant to have a meaning, WCW tired of imagism just wrote
this to fool everyone, stop trying to figure everything out read things for
what they are,, somethings are not meant to have a meaning at all.
bb from United States
This poem has been commented on more than 10 times. Click below to see the other comments.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 [9] 10 11 12
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A poem should not mean, but be", as somebody somewhere once said. I'm
not entirely sure that the quote says quite what it means, or means
quite what it says - or says what i want it to mean, words being
notoriously treacherous things - but i do think it is something worth
thinking about.
for me, a poem's meaning/being/poetry/whatever - like a song's - comes
through as much in its shape and sounds as in the dictionary
definitions and historical references of the words used. like pullman
complaining that english class with its dogma of similes and metaphors
and iambic pentameter teaches us to decode rather than appreciate
poetry (consequently removing the actual *poetry* from the experience
- besides which, what is the point in trying to decode a poem's
meaning when the poem IS the meaning?) i would press for a more
intuitive relationship to this poem - or any other good poem, for that
matter.
i feel that the person who complained that this is not poetry because
it does not communicate is missing the point somewhat: what they must
mean is that it does seem to offer moral instruction, personal
feeling, coherent narrative or philosophical argument (i would argue
that it offers all of these things, but i'm aware this post is
becoming lengthy).
there is a point at which one stops thinking of poems as good or bad -
either they are poetry, or they are not. this is poetry. see what new
roads it can lead you to; see what new thoughts it can ignite - and,
if you like, explore them. talk about them.
or, if you prefer, just look at the words and hear the sounds, as i
do.
al from United Kingdom