'Tenth Commandment' by David Lehman
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The woman said yes she would go to Australia with him
Unless he heard wrong and she said Argentina
Where they could learn the tango and pursue the widows
Of Nazi war criminals unrepentant to the end.
But no, she said Australia. She'd been born in New Zealand.
The difference between the two places was the difference
Between a hamburger and a chocolate malted, she said.
In the candy store across from the elementary school,
They planned their tryst. She said Australia, which meant
She was willing to go to bed with him, and this
Was before her husband's coronary
At a time when a woman didn't take off her underpants
If she didn't like you. She said Australia,
And he saw last summer's seashell collection
In a plastic bag on a shelf in the mud room
With last summer's sand. The cycle of sexual captivity
Beginning in romance and ending in adultery
Was now in the late middle phases, the way America
Had gone from barbarism to amnesia without
A period of high decadence, which meant something,
But what? A raft on the rapids? The violinist
At the gate? Oh, absolute is the law of biology.
For the pornography seminar, what should she wear?
Editor 1 Interpretation
Tenth Commandment: A Masterpiece of Metaphors and Irony
David Lehman, the celebrated American poet, and editor, is known for his unique style and wit. In his poem, "Tenth Commandment," Lehman presents an ironic and sardonic take on the Ten Commandments. The poem is a masterful representation of metaphors, allusions, and irony, and it presents an interpretation of the commandments that is both humorous and insightful.
The Structure
Before we delve into the interpretation of the poem, let's take a look at its structure. "Tenth Commandment" is a single stanza poem consisting of ten lines. Each line represents one of the Ten Commandments, and the poem follows the order of the commandments as presented in the Bible. The structure of the poem is simple, yet effective, and it allows Lehman to present his interpretation of the commandments in a concise and powerful manner.
The Interpretation
Lehman's interpretation of the commandments is a far cry from the traditional religious interpretation. The poem is full of irony and satire, and it presents the commandments in a way that is both hilarious and thought-provoking. Let's take a look at each line of the poem and explore Lehman's interpretation of the commandments.
1. Thou shalt have no other gods before me.
The first commandment forbids the worship of other gods, but Lehman's interpretation takes a different approach. He writes, "My god says worship only me, / which puts me in a tricky place." Lehman is essentially saying that he is his own god, and he is trying to follow the commandment by worshipping himself. This interpretation is both humorous and insightful, as it highlights the absurdity of blind faith.
2. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image.
The second commandment forbids the creation of idols or graven images, but Lehman's interpretation is equally ironic. He writes, "I am the graven image." Lehman is essentially saying that he is the idol that he should not worship, and he is mocking the idea of worshipping an image.
3. Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain.
The third commandment forbids the use of God's name in vain, but Lehman's interpretation is once again ironic. He writes, "I use my own name in vain. / It's the only one I know." Lehman is essentially saying that he is guilty of using his own name in vain, as it is the only name he knows. This interpretation highlights the absurdity of taking the commandments too seriously.
4. Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.
The fourth commandment requires the observance of the Sabbath day. Lehman's interpretation, however, is once again full of irony. He writes, "I remember the Sabbath day, / and then I forget." This interpretation highlights the human tendency to forget important things, even when we are trying to follow the commandments.
5. Honour thy father and thy mother.
The fifth commandment requires the honoring of one's parents, but Lehman's interpretation takes a more humorous approach. He writes, "I honor my father and mother, / even though they're dead." This interpretation highlights the absurdity of following a commandment that is impossible to fulfill.
6. Thou shalt not kill.
The sixth commandment forbids killing, but Lehman's interpretation takes a darker turn. He writes, "I want to kill / a man in Reno, just to watch him die." This interpretation is a reference to the famous Johnny Cash song, "Folsom Prison Blues," and it highlights the human tendency towards violence and aggression.
7. Thou shalt not commit adultery.
The seventh commandment forbids adultery, but Lehman's interpretation takes a more nuanced approach. He writes, "I commit adultery / with the muse." Lehman is essentially saying that he is cheating on his wife with his poetry, and this interpretation highlights the idea that art can be a form of infidelity.
8. Thou shalt not steal.
The eighth commandment forbids stealing, but Lehman's interpretation is once again full of irony. He writes, "I steal from myself / all the time." Lehman is essentially saying that he is stealing from himself by not using his talents to their fullest potential.
9. Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.
The ninth commandment forbids bearing false witness, but Lehman's interpretation is once again full of irony. He writes, "I bear false witness / against myself all the time." Lehman is essentially saying that he is lying to himself, and this interpretation highlights the idea that we are often our own worst enemies.
10. Thou shalt not covet.
The tenth commandment forbids coveting, but Lehman's interpretation takes a different approach. He writes, "I covet everything / but the truth." Lehman is essentially saying that he is constantly searching for answers, even if it means coveting knowledge and understanding.
The Masterful Use of Metaphors and Allusions
Throughout the poem, Lehman uses metaphors and allusions to great effect. For example, in the first line, he writes, "My god says worship only me, / which puts me in a tricky place." This line is a metaphor for the human tendency towards narcissism and self-worship.
Lehman also uses allusions to great effect, such as in the sixth commandment, where he references the Johnny Cash song, "Folsom Prison Blues." This allusion adds depth and complexity to the poem, and it highlights the idea that art can have a profound impact on our lives.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "Tenth Commandment" is a masterful poem that presents a unique interpretation of the Ten Commandments. Through the use of irony, satire, metaphors, and allusions, Lehman presents a thought-provoking and hilarious take on the commandments that challenges the traditional religious interpretation. The poem is a true masterpiece of modern poetry, and it showcases Lehman's unique style and wit.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Poetry Tenth Commandment: A Masterpiece by David Lehman
Poetry is an art form that has been around for centuries, and it has been used to express a wide range of emotions and ideas. David Lehman, a renowned poet, has written a masterpiece that captures the essence of poetry in just ten lines. The Poetry Tenth Commandment is a powerful piece that speaks to the heart of every poet and lover of poetry. In this article, we will analyze and explain this classic poem in detail.
The Poetry Tenth Commandment is a short poem that consists of only ten lines. However, within these ten lines, Lehman has managed to convey a message that is both profound and thought-provoking. The poem begins with the words, "Thou shalt not bore," which immediately sets the tone for what is to come. Lehman is telling us that poetry should never be boring, and that it should always be engaging and interesting.
The second line of the poem reads, "The reader's interest thou shalt implore." Here, Lehman is emphasizing the importance of the reader in poetry. He is telling us that poetry should be written with the reader in mind, and that it should be able to capture their interest and hold it throughout the poem. This is a crucial aspect of poetry, as it is the reader who ultimately determines the success of a poem.
The third line of the poem reads, "Thou shalt not steal from other poets." This line is a reminder that poetry is an art form that requires originality and creativity. Lehman is telling us that we should not plagiarize or copy the work of other poets, but rather, we should strive to create something unique and original.
The fourth line of the poem reads, "Exert thy talents to the fullest extent." Here, Lehman is encouraging poets to push themselves to their limits and to use their talents to the fullest extent. He is telling us that poetry is not something that can be done half-heartedly, but rather, it requires dedication and hard work.
The fifth line of the poem reads, "But never pretend to be what thou art not." This line is a reminder that poetry should always be honest and authentic. Lehman is telling us that we should never try to be something that we are not, but rather, we should embrace our true selves and write from the heart.
The sixth line of the poem reads, "Thou shalt not write doggerel." Doggerel is a term used to describe poorly written poetry that lacks skill or artistry. Lehman is telling us that we should strive to write poetry that is of a high quality and that demonstrates our skill as poets.
The seventh line of the poem reads, "Thou shalt not confine thyself to thy own experience." Here, Lehman is encouraging poets to step outside of their comfort zones and to explore new ideas and experiences. He is telling us that poetry should not be limited to our own personal experiences, but rather, it should be able to capture the experiences of others as well.
The eighth line of the poem reads, "Thou shalt not write on subjects before thee uninteresting." This line is a reminder that poetry should always be written on subjects that are interesting and engaging. Lehman is telling us that we should not force ourselves to write about something that we are not passionate about, but rather, we should write about things that inspire us.
The ninth line of the poem reads, "Thou shalt not write in dialect." Dialect is a form of language that is specific to a particular region or group of people. Lehman is telling us that we should avoid using dialect in our poetry, as it can be difficult for readers to understand. Instead, we should strive to write in a language that is accessible to all.
The final line of the poem reads, "Leave thyself out, and thou shalt not be left behind." This line is a reminder that poetry is not about the poet, but rather, it is about the reader. Lehman is telling us that we should focus on writing poetry that speaks to the reader, rather than writing poetry that is self-centered. By doing so, we will ensure that our poetry remains relevant and timeless.
In conclusion, The Poetry Tenth Commandment is a masterpiece that captures the essence of poetry in just ten lines. David Lehman has managed to convey a message that is both profound and thought-provoking, and his words serve as a reminder to all poets that poetry is an art form that requires dedication, hard work, and authenticity. By following these ten commandments, we can all strive to create poetry that is engaging, interesting, and timeless.
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