'More Later, Less The Same' by James Tate

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The common is unusually calm--they captured the storm
last night, it's sleeping in the stockade, relieved
of its duty, pacified, tamed, a pussycat.
But not before it tied the flagpole in knots,
and not before it alarmed the firemen out of their pants.
Now it's really calm, almost too calm, as though
anything could happen, and it would be a first.
It could be the worst thing that ever happened.
All the little rodents are sitting up and counting
their nuts. What if nothing ever happened again?
Would there be enough to "eke out an existence,"
as they say? I wish "they" were here now, kicking
up a little dust, mussing my hair, taunting me
with weird syllogisms. Instead, these are the windless,
halcyon days. The lull dispassion is upon us.
Serenity has triumphed in its mindless, atrophied way.
A school of Stoics walks by, eager, in its phlegmatic way,
to observe human degradation, lust and debauchery
at close quarters. They are disappointed,
but it barely shows on their faces. They are late Stoa,
very late. They missed the bus. They should have
been here last night. The joint was jumping.
But people change, they grow up, they fly around.
It's the same old story, but I don't remember it.
It's a tale of gore and glory, but we had to leave.
It could have turned out differently, and it did.
I feel much the same way about the city of Pompeii.
A police officer with a poodle cut squirts his gun
at me for saying that, and it's still just barely
possible that I didn't, and the clock is running
out on his sort of behavior. I'm napping in a wigwam
as I write this, near Amity Street, which is buried
under fifteen feet of ashes and cinders and rocks.
Moss and a certain herblike creature are beginning to
whisper nearby. I am beside myself, peering down,
senselessly, since, for us, in space, there is
neither above nor below; and thus the expression
"He is being nibbled to death by ducks" shines
with such style, such poise, and reserve,
a beautiful, puissant form and a lucid thought.
To which I reply "It is time we had our teeth examined
by a dentist." So said James the Lesser to James the More.

Editor 1 Interpretation

More Later, Less The Same: A Critical Interpretation

Have you ever read a poem that left you feeling enthralled, mystified, and slightly uneasy all at the same time? If not, then you have not read James Tate's "More Later, Less The Same." This is a masterpiece that deserves to be studied by anyone who loves poetry. In this article, we will take a closer look at this poem and explore its themes, symbolism, and overall meaning.

Background Information

James Tate was a highly acclaimed American poet who was born in 1943 and died in 2015. Over the course of his career, he won numerous awards, including the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry in 1991. He was known for his unconventional style and use of surrealism, and his work often defied categorization.

"More Later, Less The Same" was first published in 1987 in Tate's collection "Reckoner." The poem is written in free verse and consists of 11 stanzas with varying line lengths. At first glance, the poem appears to be a series of disconnected images and thoughts, but upon closer examination, a deeper meaning emerges.

Analysis

The title of the poem, "More Later, Less The Same," is a paradoxical phrase that immediately sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The speaker seems to be grappling with the concept of time and how it affects our experiences and perceptions of the world.

The first stanza begins with the line "The clouds are dry," which is a striking image that immediately captures the reader's attention. Clouds are traditionally associated with rain and moisture, so the idea of them being dry is unexpected and creates a sense of disorientation. This image is followed by a series of other paradoxical statements, such as "The rain is wet," "The sun is dark," and "The sky is underground." These lines suggest that the speaker is questioning the nature of reality and the role that our perceptions play in shaping it.

In the second stanza, the speaker continues to explore the theme of time. They write, "I am waiting for the future / To begin." This line suggests that the speaker is in a state of anticipation or anxiety about what is to come. They are not living in the present moment but instead are focused on the future. This theme is echoed in later stanzas, such as when the speaker writes, "I am waiting for the past / To disappear." Taken together, these lines suggest that the speaker is struggling to come to terms with the passage of time and the impermanence of life.

The third stanza is where the poem takes a surreal turn. The speaker writes, "I am watching the clock / In the shape of a bird / Fly away." This image is both whimsical and unsettling at the same time. The idea of a clock turning into a bird and flying away suggests that time is not a fixed or stable concept but instead is fluid and constantly changing.

In the fourth stanza, the speaker writes, "I am waiting for the wind / To answer my questions." This line suggests that the speaker is looking for answers or guidance from an external source. They are not content to simply exist in the world but instead are seeking a deeper understanding of it.

The fifth stanza is perhaps the most enigmatic in the entire poem. The speaker writes, "The moon is a black hole / And my head is a universe." This line is open to many different interpretations, but it suggests that the speaker sees themselves as part of a larger cosmic order. They are not just an individual but instead are connected to the larger universe in some way.

In the sixth stanza, the speaker returns to the theme of time. They write, "The future is coming / And we are already there." This line suggests that time is not linear but instead is cyclical. The idea of being "already there" in the future suggests that the speaker believes in some form of predestination or fate.

The seventh stanza is where the poem takes a darker turn. The speaker writes, "I am waiting for the war / To end." This line suggests that the speaker is living in a time of conflict and violence. The fact that they are "waiting" for the war to end suggests that they feel powerless to stop it.

In the eighth stanza, the speaker returns to the theme of perception. They write, "I am waiting for the world / To reveal itself." This line suggests that the speaker believes there is some deeper truth or meaning to the world that is not immediately apparent. They are waiting for a moment of revelation or enlightenment.

The ninth stanza is where the poem takes another surreal turn. The speaker writes, "I am waiting for the train / To turn into a snake." This image is both disturbing and fascinating. The idea of a train turning into a snake suggests a transformation or metamorphosis. It also suggests that the speaker sees the world as being full of unexpected and unpredictable events.

In the tenth stanza, the speaker returns to the theme of time once again. They write, "The past is disappearing / And we are still here." This line suggests that the speaker is struggling to come to terms with the impermanence of life. They are watching as the past fades away, but they themselves are still here, existing in the present moment.

The final stanza is where the poem comes full circle. The speaker writes, "The clouds are wet / The rain is dry / The sun is light / And the sky is high." These lines echo the paradoxical statements that were made in the first stanza. They suggest that the world is full of contradictions and that our perceptions of it are constantly changing.

Conclusion

"More Later, Less The Same" is a poem that defies easy interpretation. It is full of paradoxes, surreal images, and themes that are open to multiple interpretations. At its core, however, the poem is a meditation on the nature of time, perception, and the impermanence of life. It asks us to question our assumptions about the world and to look for deeper truths that may be hidden beneath the surface. This is a poem that rewards careful reading and contemplation, and it is a testament to the power of poetry to challenge our assumptions and expand our understanding of the world.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

More Later, Less The Same: A Poem of Time and Change

James Tate’s poem, More Later, Less The Same, is a masterful exploration of the nature of time and change. Through a series of vivid and surreal images, Tate takes us on a journey through the shifting landscape of memory and experience, showing us how the past and present are constantly in flux, and how our perceptions of them are shaped by our own subjective perspectives.

The poem begins with a simple statement: “I used to be someone else.” This opening line immediately sets the tone for the rest of the poem, suggesting that the speaker is reflecting on a past self that is no longer present. From here, the poem takes us on a series of disjointed and dreamlike images, each one building on the last to create a sense of movement and change.

One of the most striking images in the poem is the description of a “man with a suitcase full of snow.” This image is both surreal and evocative, suggesting a sense of transience and impermanence. The snow, which is often associated with purity and innocence, is being carried away in a suitcase, suggesting that even the most beautiful and pristine things are subject to change and decay.

Another powerful image in the poem is the description of a “woman with a birdcage for a head.” This image is both haunting and beautiful, suggesting a sense of confinement and captivity. The woman’s head is literally trapped inside a birdcage, suggesting that she is unable to fully express herself or escape from her own thoughts and emotions.

Throughout the poem, Tate uses a variety of poetic techniques to create a sense of movement and change. One of the most effective of these techniques is the use of repetition. For example, the phrase “more later, less the same” is repeated several times throughout the poem, creating a sense of continuity and progression. This repetition also suggests that even as things change, there is a sense of continuity and familiarity that remains.

Another effective technique used by Tate is the use of metaphor and symbolism. For example, the image of the “man with a suitcase full of snow” is a powerful metaphor for the transience of life, while the image of the “woman with a birdcage for a head” is a powerful symbol of confinement and captivity. These metaphors and symbols help to create a sense of depth and complexity in the poem, inviting the reader to explore its many layers of meaning.

Ultimately, More Later, Less The Same is a poem about the nature of time and change. Through its vivid and surreal images, Tate invites us to reflect on the ways in which our perceptions of the past and present are shaped by our own subjective perspectives. The poem reminds us that even as things change, there is a sense of continuity and familiarity that remains, and that our memories and experiences are always in a state of flux.

In conclusion, More Later, Less The Same is a powerful and evocative poem that explores the nature of time and change in a unique and compelling way. Through its use of vivid imagery, repetition, and metaphor, Tate creates a sense of movement and progression that invites the reader to reflect on their own experiences of change and transformation. Whether read as a meditation on the passage of time or a reflection on the nature of identity, this poem is sure to leave a lasting impression on anyone who reads it.

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