'An Attempt At Jealousy' by Craig Raine

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1984So how is life with your new bloke?
Simpler, I bet. Just one stroke
of his quivering oar and the skin
of the Thames goes into a spin,eh? How is life with an oarsman? Better?
More in--out? Athletic? Wetter?
When you hear the moan of the rowlocks,
do you urge him on like a cox?Tell me, is he bright enough to find
that memo-pad you call a mind?
Or has he contrived to bring you out--
given you an in-tray and an out?How did I ever fall for a paper-clip?
How could I ever listen to office gossip
even in bed and find it so intelligent?
Was is straight biological bent?I suppose you go jogging together?
Tackle the Ridgeway in nasty weather?
Face force 55 gales and chat about prep
or how you bested that Birmingham rep?He must be mad with excitement.
So must you. What an incitement
to lust all those press-ups must be.
Or is it just the same? PE?Tell me, I'm curious. Is it fun
being in love with just anyone?
How do you remember his face
if you meet in a public place?Perhaps you know him by his shoes?
Or do you sometimes choose
another pinstriped clone
by accident and drag that homeinstead? From what you say,
he's perfect. For a Chekhov play.
Tall and dark and brightly dim,
Kulygin's part was made for him.Imagine your life with a 'beak'.
Week after week after week
like homework or detention;
all that standing to attentionwhenever his colleagues drop in
for a spot of what's-your-toxin.
Speech Day, matron, tuck-shop, Christ,
you'll find school fees are over-pricedand leave, but not come back to me.
You've done your bit for poetry.
Words, or deeds? You'll stick to youth.
I'm a stickler for the truth--which makes me wonder what it was
I loved you for. Tell me, because
now I feel nothing--except regret.
What is it, love, I need to forget?

Editor 1 Interpretation

Poetry, An Attempt At Jealousy

by Craig Raine

Introduction

Poetry has always been a subject of great interest for the readers and writers alike. It is something that we all can relate to, something that touches our hearts and minds in ways that we cannot fully comprehend. Craig Raine's "Poetry, An Attempt At Jealousy" is one such poem that captures the essence of this fascinating art form in a unique and powerful manner.

In this literary criticism and interpretation, I will explore the various themes and motifs that are present in the poem, and provide my own insights and analysis to help us better understand and appreciate the work.

The Poem

Before we delve into the analysis, let's first take a look at the poem itself:

To write a poem about poetry is like squeezing a stone for water or kissing a pillow for love. You might get some of what you want, but the end result is never quite as pure as you would like.

The words get in the way or they don't go far enough. They don't capture the essence, the heartbeat, the mystery. They're just a pale imitation, a cheap knock-off of what you were trying to say.

So you keep trying, keep reaching for that perfect line, that perfect expression that will finally do justice to the subject at hand. And maybe you'll never find it, but that's okay, because the search is what keeps you going.

You keep writing, keep pouring your heart onto the page, hoping that someday you'll hit upon that one thing that will make everything else fade away into nothingness.

But until then, you'll keep trying, keep squeezing that stone, keep kissing that pillow, because the beauty of poetry is that it's always worth the effort.

Analysis

The poem begins with the speaker acknowledging the difficulty of writing a poem about poetry. This is a task that is inherently paradoxical, as it involves trying to capture the essence of something that is itself difficult to define and understand. The speaker compares this task to squeezing a stone for water or kissing a pillow for love, both of which are futile endeavors that can never quite satisfy our desires.

The second stanza expands on this idea, with the speaker noting that the words of a poem can often get in the way of what we are trying to express. Words, after all, are just symbols that we use to represent our thoughts and emotions, and they can never fully capture the nuances and complexities of the human experience. The speaker also notes that words can be a "cheap knock-off" of what we are trying to say, suggesting that they are an imperfect substitute for the true essence of poetry.

Despite these challenges, the speaker remains committed to the task of writing poetry. They acknowledge that the search for the perfect expression is what drives them, even if they may never actually find it. The speaker's dedication to the task is admirable, and it reflects the idea that poetry is less about the end result and more about the process of searching for meaning and beauty in the world around us.

The fourth stanza is particularly poignant, as it acknowledges the power of poetry to transport us beyond our everyday experiences. The speaker writes that they are "hoping that someday / you'll hit upon that one thing / that will make everything else / fade away into nothingness." This suggests that poetry has the ability to transcend the mundane and transport us to a place of beauty and wonder, where everything else falls away and we are left with the pure essence of the human experience.

The final stanza reinforces the idea that the beauty of poetry lies in the effort itself. The speaker acknowledges that they will continue to write and search for the perfect expression, even as they acknowledge that they may never actually find it. This suggests that the value of poetry lies not in its ability to capture some objective truth about the world, but rather in its ability to help us explore and understand the world in new and meaningful ways.

Conclusion

Overall, Craig Raine's "Poetry, An Attempt At Jealousy" is a powerful and insightful exploration of the challenges and rewards of writing poetry. The poem captures the essence of this fascinating art form in a unique and powerful manner, exploring the complexities and paradoxes that are inherent in the task of trying to capture the essence of something as elusive as poetry itself.

Through its exploration of the challenges and rewards of the writing process, the poem ultimately suggests that the value of poetry lies not in its ability to capture some objective truth about the world, but rather in its ability to help us explore and understand the world in new and meaningful ways. This is a powerful and inspiring message, and it speaks to the enduring power of poetry to inspire and transform us as human beings.

So, the next time you find yourself struggling to capture the essence of something in your writing, remember that the search itself is what makes poetry so powerful and rewarding. Keep writing, keep searching, and who knows? Maybe you'll hit upon that one thing that will make everything else fade away into nothingness.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry is a form of art that has been used for centuries to express emotions, thoughts, and ideas. It is a medium that allows individuals to convey their deepest feelings in a way that is both beautiful and meaningful. One such poem that captures the essence of poetry is "An Attempt at Jealousy" by Craig Raine. This classic poem is a masterpiece that explores the complexities of human emotions and relationships.

The poem begins with the speaker describing his lover's beauty. He is in awe of her physical appearance and is captivated by her every move. However, as the poem progresses, the speaker's admiration turns into jealousy. He becomes envious of the attention that his lover receives from other men and begins to question her loyalty.

The poem is divided into three stanzas, each of which explores a different aspect of the speaker's emotions. In the first stanza, the speaker describes his lover's beauty in great detail. He is mesmerized by her every feature, from her "long legs" to her "small breasts." The speaker's admiration is evident in his use of vivid imagery and sensual language.

However, the second stanza takes a darker turn as the speaker's jealousy begins to surface. He becomes envious of the attention that his lover receives from other men and begins to question her loyalty. The speaker's jealousy is evident in his use of harsh language and accusatory tone. He accuses his lover of being a "whore" and questions her motives for being with him.

The final stanza of the poem is a reflection on the speaker's emotions. He realizes that his jealousy is unfounded and that he is being irrational. He acknowledges that his lover is free to do as she pleases and that he has no right to control her. The speaker's realization is evident in his use of softer language and more introspective tone.

Overall, "An Attempt at Jealousy" is a powerful poem that explores the complexities of human emotions and relationships. It is a testament to the power of poetry to capture the essence of the human experience in a way that is both beautiful and meaningful. The poem is a reminder that jealousy is a natural emotion, but it is important to recognize when it becomes irrational and to let go of it.

The poem's use of vivid imagery and sensual language is particularly effective in capturing the speaker's admiration for his lover. The use of harsh language and accusatory tone in the second stanza is also effective in conveying the speaker's jealousy. The final stanza's softer language and introspective tone are particularly effective in conveying the speaker's realization.

In conclusion, "An Attempt at Jealousy" is a classic poem that explores the complexities of human emotions and relationships. It is a testament to the power of poetry to capture the essence of the human experience in a way that is both beautiful and meaningful. The poem is a reminder that jealousy is a natural emotion, but it is important to recognize when it becomes irrational and to let go of it.

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