discussion of poems Dec. 9 and 10

 Kindness by Naomi Shihab Nye

We have discussed this poem before, but I wanted to share it this week, having heard Naomi's comment after the loss of her son in October that she could hear this poem replaying line by line in her head, as if to say, "see?  I really mean it." Knowing the recent events in her life, it was hard not to read the poem feeling her pain.

The first comment was a question.  "How does she manage to deliver such an important message and yet not sound preachy?"    There is something about details and sincerity... and her delivery feels "folksy".  Which comment got us thinking about Peter Paul and Mary and Joan Baez, (There but for fortune... joan baez there but for fortune lyrics).  

In this poem, the opposite of sorrow is not joy... but kindness.  Even the way the stanzas develop, allow kindness to gather weight -- first with an adjective, tender, in the second stanza, then given place "as the deepest thing inside".  Then,  kindness is personified, able to tie shoes, speaking to you as if you matter, and never leaves, sticking "like a shadow or friend".   

The poem is not called "Ode to Kindness", but explores it by starting with complete loss,  to better understand the "size of the cloth".  The commandment to "love your neighbor as yourself" seems often inconceivable to put into practice. However, if we substituted kindness as in "be kind to your neighbor, (and to yourself)" there is perhaps half a chance.

Coupled with her poem So Much Happiness, there is a reminder that such abstractions have a life of their own, and open the door to possibilities.  I shared these thoughts with Naomi: 

One participant  said her greatest happiness was just THINKING about her new grandson, and how tears would come.  Indeed… I have never understood tears of joy well.  You show the path… 

Before you can understand what tears, joy, really are, you must indeed imagine "the desolate landscape between those regions of kindness” as you so beautifully put it.

I like that paradox of tears that understand both despair as well as hope.  How odd it is that joy and sorrow, usually coupled together bring them.  We discussed today how big abstractions like “love” (or joy) are not accessible the way “Kindness is.”  We might not be able to love our neighbor, but we can hope at least to be kind. 

I love the idea of offering kindness, not joy,  as the shadow of sorrow.

I asked everyone to say the title "So Much Happiness" and note how they said it and what came to mind. Perhaps for some, a small pause after "so", or others suspecting some sarcasm... for how can there be an overabundance of happiness?  Or is the "so much" going to become a burden to take care of. 

Judith thought of Pappyshivili saying "he felt happy and full of prance"... and we discussed how in the poem, there is not parroting of clichés.

Richard thought all the lines could be scratched out but this:  "Happiness Floats."

We decided that perhaps a committee to examine "poem reduction to one-liners" might be a good idea, or maybe a general practice for any poem.  But then we would be missing some of the wisdom tucked in... for instance, "you are not responsible" (for the life of happiness... how long or short, where it shows up, how big it is, etc.).

In Be Kind, the kind of delight we felt in the first two poems disappeared in the rather awkward use of pompous words, and a run-on sentence with absolutely no respite provided with a comma, a much-needed semi-colon.  And what's with Henry James and his 4 rules of life (be kind X 3 more times), we wondered? (Whose name provoked Judith to perform a pantomime expressing distaste.) Was it Bernie or perhaps was Jim about to quote the same line from Sherlock Holmes, "It has its interesting points, dear Watson"

We concurred the awkward telling was rather off-putting and the style rife with preachy overtones.  Elaine shared the fact that Blumenthal is known to be quite humorous, and shared this poem: https://poets.org/poem/fish-fucking That provided at least 15 more minutes about this most versatile f-word which Jim confessed looking up as a teenager only to find it could slip into nominative, verbal, adjectival not to mention adverbial clothing! Paul had an idea that if a one-liner could not be found, at least most of the poem could be scratched out. 

 OK...the poem provides a definition of kindness hinted at as defense measure, act of forgiveness, and yes, "of course, in the end so much comes down to privilege and its various penumbras" and maybe some might find it humorous to "take whatever kindness you can find and be profligate in its expenditure..." As for the hedgehog, Graeme provided some background with Isaiah Berlin's short story, where the hedgehog knows only  self-defense whereas the fox knows multiple  tricks.  And who wins out?  We did find the re-occurance of the hedgehog at the end with "sweet little claws and wet nose, eyes to the ground, little feet" an odd finale to the fact that kindness will not leave you vulnerable and unfurled.

But kindly note... I hope you can tell from this cursory summary... all 18 of us were having quite the jocular time discussing the poem! 

Home Town  by William Stafford.  This short poem also uses clichés and large words with juxtapositions such as "impersonal immensity"; the "bombshell of a library" bathed in the gentle haze of benevolence, like the courthouse and the "continuous, hidden, efficient sewer system".  There is a gentle bite in the "haunting invasion" of the train whistle, the overblown and copious collection of adjectives... 

We felt a tone of humility, a nuance of kindness, a quiet exposure of good and bad.  Tell me about your Home Town.  And how lovely to wish it peace.  This one tiny speck to which we are connected-- under this incredible "world-champion" of a sky.

The Forest for the Trees  by Rene Priest  

I included the notes from "teach this poem" https://poets.org/lesson-plan/teach-poem-forest-trees-rena-priest. Notes from the Poet: How trees communicate:  hub trees, roots underground and fungal networks...Like parents, who have a bigger picture than children, families and their networks.  We are not meant to be living alone.

“Land is both resistance and reflection, and we understand land as landscape, nature, wilderness in the American consciousness. However, land takes shape and form in many different ways."

We remarked the rhyme scheme -- ABCA in the first two stanzas... then, willow/now... (2nd stanza, 2nd line and last work of 3rd stanza, no other rhyme) after the clear-cut of trees.  Melting pot... last word of 4th stanza with "not" last word of 5th stanza.  Everyone appreciated the repeat of "new"-- to say something differently... to breathe, listen differently new chances to be heard. 

Judith was reminded of Martha's Graham's dances where movement is emotion.  The body does not lie.  Can we see the forest for the trees?  The poem has political overtones, but that aside, this idea of forest, connected and growing, each tree breathing, each person using breath of  new words gives a hopeful message.

excerpt from Musical Tables  by Billy Collins.

In his wry tone, what seems to be almost a cryptic commentary, Collins takes one detail, pushes it deeper so it pulls at the heart.  Elegy breaks the heart, imagining a widow or widower, playing solitaire... wanting to believe his or her beloved there.  Perhaps an innocent mockery to cover up the hurt, but never sarcastic.