We find out the heart only by dismantling what
the heart knows. By redefining the morning,
we find a morning that comes just after darkness.
We can break through marriage into marriage.
By insisting on love we spoil it, get beyond
affection and wade mouth-deep into love.
We must unlearn the constellations to see the stars.
But going back toward childhood will not help.
The village is not better than Pittsburgh.
Only Pittsburgh is more than Pittsburgh.
Rome is better than Rome in the same way the sound
of raccoon tongues licking the inside walls
of the garbage tub is more than the stir
of them in the muck of the garbage. Love is not
enough. We die and are put into the earth forever.
We should insist while there is still time. We must
eat through the wildness of her sweet body already
in our bed to reach the body within that body.

Analysis, meaning and summary of Jack Gilbert's poem Tear It Down

1 Comment

  1. Crystal says:

    What i think about this poem is that it is very good but i think he sould of express heself better. like for existence ‘by redefining the morning that comes just after darkness. he should have put atfer morning darkness fall. well i guess people have there own way to express themself……this is my response to reply to anyone who dont understand..write me if any Questions or comments pop up. iam only 15 so be cool with it Holla

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