09-02-2012, 11:33 AM
What does a poem mean? It means no more or less than some initials carved into the bark of a tree. And if anyone needs to cut that tree down to use to warm their home, then who am I to complain?---If someone happened to see those initials, and think to themselves, “These are my initials, too. This must mean something to me.” Boy, are they in for a rude awakening.---Nothing means anything, unless you give it meaning. If a woman tells you she loves you, it doesn’t mean anything, if a dog bites you, it doesn’t mean anything. 2+2=4, and my childhood friend got decapitated in a car accident, and my fiancée loved me only until she started using drugs, and now she’s realized that she can equally love anyone that’s able to supply her with the drugs she needs, so only squares take monogamy seriously in this advanced society, so 2+2=4 means no more or less than I love you means I won’t destroy you if I don’t have to.
But a great poem supplies a great meaning for a great number of people, over a great amount of time. And 2+2=4 is infallible. And that lasts a good long time. Then 2x2=4 too, but that’s different, it takes it up a notch. That’s reality. But two loved ones here plus two loved ones gone equals zero loved ones left means something too. It means science and love both can be cruel realities.
So what does poetry mean? It means 2+2=4. And if that tree in your yard cut down to warm someone’s house contained the initials, the only substance you had left of that childhood friend decapitated in the car accident, then 2+2 still equals 4, the people that are still alive still have what it takes to warm their house and stay alive. Poetry means that things are as they are, no more, no less.
But a poem. A poem on its own is the death, the heat, the loss, the memory, and the resolve: that 2+2 might equal 4, but my poem doesn’t have to. My poem only has to say 2+2 = 2+2. And the question is the answer.
But a great poem supplies a great meaning for a great number of people, over a great amount of time. And 2+2=4 is infallible. And that lasts a good long time. Then 2x2=4 too, but that’s different, it takes it up a notch. That’s reality. But two loved ones here plus two loved ones gone equals zero loved ones left means something too. It means science and love both can be cruel realities.
So what does poetry mean? It means 2+2=4. And if that tree in your yard cut down to warm someone’s house contained the initials, the only substance you had left of that childhood friend decapitated in the car accident, then 2+2 still equals 4, the people that are still alive still have what it takes to warm their house and stay alive. Poetry means that things are as they are, no more, no less.
But a poem. A poem on its own is the death, the heat, the loss, the memory, and the resolve: that 2+2 might equal 4, but my poem doesn’t have to. My poem only has to say 2+2 = 2+2. And the question is the answer.
here i am trying to find meaning in a piece of prose or poetry trying to say there is no meaning except what we give it. so yeah it's a good insight and it does show that giving meaning to something, everything, is part of the human condition.