'Constantly Risking Absurdity' by Lawrence Ferlinghetti

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Constantly risking absurdity
and death
whenever he performs
above the heads
of his audience
the poet like an acrobat
climbs on rime
to a high wire of his own making
and balancing on eyebeams
above a sea of faces
paces his way
to the other side of the day
performing entrechats
and sleight-of-foot tricks
and other high theatrics
and all without mistaking
any thing
for what it may not be
For he's the super realist
who must perforce perceive
taut truth
before the taking of each stance or step
in his supposed advance
toward that still higher perch
where Beauty stands and waits
with gravity
to start her death-defying leap
And he
a little charleychaplin man
who may or may not catch
her fair eternal form
spreadeagled in the empty air
of existence

Editor 1 Interpretation

Constantly Risking Absurdity: A Witty and Insightful Exploration of Poetry

Lawrence Ferlinghetti's "Constantly Risking Absurdity" is a witty and insightful exploration of poetry that offers a fresh perspective on the role of the poet in society. The poem is a celebration of the poet as a risk-taker, a clown, and a magician, who constantly risks absurdity in order to bring forth new and original works of art.

The Poet as a Risk-Taker

The poem begins with a vivid image of a tightrope walker, who risks his life by walking on a tightrope that is suspended high above the ground. The tightrope walker is a metaphor for the poet, who also takes risks by venturing into uncharted territories of language, form, and subject matter.

The poet's life is a constant balancing act between order and chaos, reason and madness, reality and imagination. The poet must navigate the treacherous waters of language, which can be both a source of inspiration and a trap. The poet must be able to play with language, to twist it, to bend it, to mold it into new shapes and forms.

Ferlinghetti's use of repetition in the first stanza reinforces the idea of the poet as a risk-taker: "Constantly risking absurdity / and death / whenever he performs / above the heads / of his audience." The repetition of "risking" emphasizes the courage and audacity required of the poet, while the repetition of "death" underscores the seriousness of the poet's enterprise.

The Poet as a Clown

In the second stanza, Ferlinghetti introduces the image of the poet as a clown, who uses humor and satire to subvert the conventions of society. The clown is a figure of ridicule and mockery, but also of wisdom and insight.

The clown is not afraid to speak the truth, even if it is uncomfortable or unpopular. The clown is a master of irony, sarcasm, and parody, who exposes the hypocrisy and absurdity of the world around him.

Ferlinghetti's use of alliteration in the second stanza reinforces the playful and irreverent tone of the poem: "The poet is like the acrobat / who spurns the rope / which bears him / up / but like the top / which uses him / is spinning with his weight."

The alliteration of the "p" and "s" sounds creates a sense of movement and instability, which mirrors the acrobat's precarious balance. The use of the word "spinning" evokes the image of a top, which is both a child's toy and a symbol of the cycle of life.

The Poet as a Magician

In the third stanza, Ferlinghetti introduces the image of the poet as a magician, who creates illusions and transforms reality. The magician is a figure of mystery and wonder, who uses words as his wand and imagination as his spell.

The magician is not bound by the laws of logic or reason, but can transcend them and create new worlds of meaning. The magician is a master of metaphor, imagery, and symbolism, who can weave together disparate elements into a harmonious whole.

Ferlinghetti's use of metaphors in the third stanza reinforces the idea of the poet as a magician: "And the poet / like the magician / is always / magic." The use of "like" creates a comparison between the poet and the magician, while the repetition of "magic" emphasizes the transformative power of poetry.

The use of the word "always" suggests that the poet's magic is not limited to specific moments or occasions, but is a constant presence in his or her life.

The Poet as a Rebel

In the fourth stanza, Ferlinghetti introduces the image of the poet as a rebel, who challenges the status quo and advocates for change. The rebel is a figure of dissent and resistance, who refuses to be silenced by authority or tradition.

The rebel is not content with the world as it is, but imagines a better world and works to make it a reality. The rebel is a master of rhetoric, persuasion, and activism, who uses poetry as a weapon of social justice.

Ferlinghetti's use of imagery in the fourth stanza reinforces the idea of the poet as a rebel: "And the poet / like an acrobat / climbs / on rime / to a high wire of his own making." The use of "climbs" and "high wire" creates a sense of danger and adventure, while the use of "rime" (a variant of "rhyme") suggests the poet's mastery of language.

The phrase "his own making" emphasizes the poet's autonomy and independence, as well as his responsibility for his own actions.

Conclusion

In "Constantly Risking Absurdity," Ferlinghetti presents a multifaceted portrait of the poet as a risk-taker, a clown, a magician, and a rebel. The poem celebrates the poet's creativity, courage, humor, and social engagement, while also acknowledging the challenges and dangers of the poetic enterprise.

Ferlinghetti's use of metaphor, alliteration, repetition, and imagery creates a rich and complex tapestry of images and ideas, which invites the reader to reflect on the nature and purpose of poetry. The poem is a testament to the power and beauty of poetry, and a call to all poets to embrace their role as agents of change and transformation in the world.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Constantly Risking Absurdity: A Masterpiece of Modern Poetry

Lawrence Ferlinghetti's "Constantly Risking Absurdity" is a masterpiece of modern poetry that captures the essence of the Beat Generation. The poem is a celebration of the poet's craft and the risks that poets take to create something beautiful and meaningful. It is a tribute to the courage and creativity of the artist, who must constantly risk absurdity to create something that is both original and profound.

The Poem

The poem is divided into three parts, each of which explores a different aspect of the poet's craft. The first part is a celebration of the poet's ability to create something out of nothing. The second part is a reflection on the risks that poets take to create something meaningful. The third part is a tribute to the courage and creativity of the artist.

Part One

The first part of the poem celebrates the poet's ability to create something out of nothing. The poet compares the act of creation to a tightrope walker who risks everything to perform his art. The tightrope walker is a metaphor for the poet, who must balance on the edge of absurdity to create something beautiful and meaningful.

The poet writes:

Constantly risking absurdity
and death
whenever he performs
above the heads
of his audience

The tightrope walker is constantly risking absurdity and death, just as the poet is constantly risking absurdity and failure. The poet must perform above the heads of his audience, just as the tightrope walker performs above the heads of his spectators. The poet must create something that is both original and profound, something that will capture the imagination of his audience and leave them breathless.

Part Two

The second part of the poem is a reflection on the risks that poets take to create something meaningful. The poet compares the act of creation to a circus act, where the performer must risk everything to create something that is both beautiful and dangerous. The circus act is a metaphor for the poet's craft, which requires the artist to take risks and push the boundaries of what is possible.

The poet writes:

The poet like an acrobat
climbs on rime
to a high wire of his own making

The poet is like an acrobat who climbs on rime, or rhyme, to a high wire of his own making. The poet must create his own path, his own style, his own voice. He must take risks and push the boundaries of what is possible. He must be willing to fail, to fall, to risk everything for his art.

Part Three

The third part of the poem is a tribute to the courage and creativity of the artist. The poet compares the act of creation to a juggling act, where the performer must juggle multiple objects at once. The juggling act is a metaphor for the poet's craft, which requires the artist to balance multiple ideas, emotions, and images at once.

The poet writes:

And poets, like jugglers,
must keep up their balls,
their balls, their life, their soul,
in the air

The poet must keep up his balls, his life, his soul, in the air. He must balance multiple ideas, emotions, and images at once. He must be able to juggle the absurd and the profound, the beautiful and the ugly, the light and the dark. He must be able to create something that is both original and profound, something that will capture the imagination of his audience and leave them breathless.

Analysis

"Constantly Risking Absurdity" is a masterpiece of modern poetry that captures the essence of the Beat Generation. The poem is a celebration of the poet's craft and the risks that poets take to create something beautiful and meaningful. It is a tribute to the courage and creativity of the artist, who must constantly risk absurdity to create something that is both original and profound.

The poem uses several metaphors to describe the poet's craft. The tightrope walker is a metaphor for the poet, who must balance on the edge of absurdity to create something beautiful and meaningful. The circus act is a metaphor for the poet's craft, which requires the artist to take risks and push the boundaries of what is possible. The juggling act is a metaphor for the poet's ability to balance multiple ideas, emotions, and images at once.

The poem is also notable for its use of language. The poet uses a variety of poetic techniques, including rhyme, alliteration, and repetition, to create a sense of rhythm and flow. The poem is also notable for its use of imagery, which creates a vivid and powerful picture of the poet's craft.

Conclusion

"Constantly Risking Absurdity" is a powerful and moving poem that speaks to the heart of the artist. It is a reminder that the artist must be willing to take risks and push the boundaries of what is possible. It is a tribute to the courage and creativity of the artist, who must constantly risk absurdity to create something that is both original and profound.

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