'Obsolescent' by Bill Knott

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Bending over like this to get my hands empty
Rummaging through the white trashcans out back
Of the Patent Office I find a kind of peaceHere in this warm-lit alley where no one comes.Even the rats too they know that nothing new
Is going to get pitched out now--no formula,
Not one blueprint will ever be found in these
Bright bins whose futures are huge, pristine.Old alleymouth grabbags my attention at times
I see the world flash by out there, glow-glow as
The floors of decontamination chambers-I go back to my dull, boring search, foraging
For the feel it gives me of the thing which has
Invented me: that void whose sole idea I was.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Poetry, Obsolescent: A Critical Interpretation

Bill Knott's "Poetry, Obsolescent" is a powerful and poignant commentary on the state of contemporary poetry. In this poem, Knott laments the gradual decline of poetry as an art form and the apathy of modern society towards it. Through rich imagery, rhythmic language, and sharp satire, Knott exposes the harsh reality of the contemporary literary landscape and makes a compelling argument for the continued relevance of poetry.

The Decline of Poetry

The opening lines of the poem set the tone for the rest of the work, as Knott begins by lamenting the decline of poetry:

When they stop publishing poetry The papers will still be printed And read, more or less, but the poets Will have died, as if fallen In battle, or of a dread disease.

This powerful metaphor of poetry as a battlefield sets the stage for the rest of the poem, as Knott portrays the poet as a brave soldier fighting a losing battle. He highlights the fact that while newspapers and other forms of media will continue to exist even if poetry ceases to be published, the poets themselves will be lost forever.

Knott goes on to describe the current state of poetry, using vivid imagery to convey the sense of decay and obsolescence:

The library shelves will fill up With unread poems, dusty And forgotten, like the bones Of extinct species, and scholars Will study them as curiosities.

The image of "unread poems" gathering dust on library shelves is both powerful and tragic, as it highlights the fact that even those poems that have been published are often ignored and forgotten. The comparison to "bones / Of extinct species" further emphasizes the sense of loss and extinction that Knott is trying to convey.

The Apathy of Modern Society

One of the key themes of the poem is the apathy of modern society towards poetry. Knott presents this theme through a series of biting satirical jabs at contemporary culture:

The coffeehouses will serve Only coffee, and the poets Will have no reason to gather And talk, for the young will speak Of other things, if they speak at all.

The irony of "coffeehouses" that serve only coffee is a sharp critique of contemporary culture's focus on materialism and consumerism at the expense of art and culture. The fact that "the young will speak / Of other things" further emphasizes this point, as Knott suggests that the youth of today have little interest in poetry or other forms of art.

Knott also highlights the role of technology in the decline of poetry, as he describes a future in which "The machines will go on / Recording our voices, but no one / Will listen, for the sounds / Will be meaningless." This image of machines recording meaningless sounds is a powerful commentary on the way in which technology can devalue and dehumanize art.

The Continued Relevance of Poetry

Despite the bleak and pessimistic tone of the poem, Knott ultimately argues for the continued relevance of poetry. He does this through a series of metaphors and images that suggest that poetry is essential to the human experience:

The sun will rise, and lovers Will kiss, and birds will sing, But there will be no poets To write their songs, and the world Will be a less beautiful place.

This image of a world without poets is a powerful one, as it suggests that poetry is essential to the beauty and meaning of life itself. The metaphor of "lovers / Will kiss, and birds will sing" further emphasizes this point, as it suggests that poetry is not just a luxury, but a vital part of the human experience.

Knott also suggests that poetry has the power to transcend time and space:

The stars will shine, and the sea Will roar, and the mountains Will stand firm, but the poets Will have left us nothing But words on the page.

This image of the poets leaving behind "words on the page" suggests that poetry has the power to transcend time and space, and to connect us with the past and the future. The fact that the stars, sea, and mountains will continue to exist long after the poets are gone further emphasizes the enduring power and importance of poetry.

Conclusion

In "Poetry, Obsolescent," Bill Knott offers a powerful and poignant commentary on the state of contemporary poetry. Through vivid imagery, rhythmic language, and sharp satire, he highlights the decline of poetry and the apathy of modern society towards it. Despite the bleakness of his vision, however, Knott ultimately argues for the continued relevance of poetry, suggesting that it is essential to the beauty and meaning of life itself.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry Obsolescent: A Masterpiece of Modern Poetry

Poetry is an art form that has been around for centuries. It has been used to express emotions, tell stories, and convey messages. However, in recent times, poetry has become less popular, and many people believe that it is becoming obsolete. Bill Knott, a renowned poet, addresses this issue in his poem "Poetry Obsolescent." In this article, we will analyze and explain this masterpiece of modern poetry.

The poem "Poetry Obsolescent" is a short but powerful piece of writing. It consists of only six lines, but each line is packed with meaning and emotion. The poem begins with the line, "Poetry is obsolete." This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem and immediately grabs the reader's attention. It is a bold statement that challenges the reader's beliefs about poetry.

The second line of the poem reads, "It has lost its relevance." This line is a continuation of the first line and reinforces the idea that poetry is becoming less important in today's world. The word "relevance" is particularly significant because it suggests that poetry is no longer relevant to modern society. This is a common belief among many people who view poetry as an outdated art form.

The third line of the poem is, "It no longer speaks to us." This line is particularly poignant because it suggests that poetry has lost its ability to connect with people. Poetry has always been a way for people to express their emotions and connect with others. However, if poetry no longer speaks to us, then it has lost its purpose.

The fourth line of the poem reads, "It is a language we no longer understand." This line is a metaphor for the idea that poetry has become too complex and difficult for people to understand. Many people view poetry as an elitist art form that is only accessible to a select few. This line suggests that poetry has become too exclusive and has lost its ability to communicate with the masses.

The fifth line of the poem is, "It is a relic of a bygone era." This line suggests that poetry is a thing of the past and has no place in modern society. This is a common belief among many people who view poetry as an outdated art form that has no relevance to the present.

The final line of the poem reads, "But still, we write." This line is a powerful statement that challenges the reader's beliefs about poetry. Despite the belief that poetry is becoming obsolete, people still write poetry. This line suggests that poetry is not dead, but rather it is evolving and changing with the times.

Overall, "Poetry Obsolescent" is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that challenges the reader's beliefs about poetry. It addresses the common belief that poetry is becoming obsolete and suggests that poetry is still relevant and important in today's world. The poem is a reminder that poetry is an art form that has the power to connect people and express emotions. It is a call to action for people to continue writing poetry and to keep the art form alive.

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