'Identity' by A.R. Ammons


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1) An individual spider web
identifies a species:

an order of instinct prevails
through all accidents of circumstance,
though possibility is
high along the peripheries of
spider
webs:
you can go all
around the fringing attachments

and find
disorder ripe,
entropy rich, high levels of random,
numerous occasions of accident:

2) the possible settings
of a web are infinite:

how does
the spider keep
identity
while creating the web
in a particular place?

how and to what extent
and by what modes of chemistry
and control?

it is
wonderful
how things work: I will tell you
about it
because

it is interesting
and because whatever is
moves in weeds
and stars and spider webs
and known
is loved:
in that love,
each of us knowing it,
I love you,

for it moves within and beyond us,
sizzles in
to winter grasses, darts and hangs with bumblebees
by summer windowsills:

I will show you
the underlying that takes no image to itself,
cannot be shown or said,
but weaves in and out of moons and bladderweeds,
is all and
beyond destruction
because created fully in no
particular form:

if the web were perfectly pre-set,
the spider could
never find
a perfect place to set it in: and

if the web were
perfectly adaptable,
if freedom and possibility were without limit,
the web would
lose its special identity:

the row-strung garden web
keeps order at the center
where space is freest (intersecting that the freest
"medium" should
accept the firmest order)

and that
order
diminishes toward the
periphery
allowing at the points of contact
entropy equal to entropy.



Anonymous submission.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Identity by A.R. Ammons: A Deep Dive into the Human Condition

Identity is a poem that opens with a question that we all ask ourselves at some point in our lives - "I have given, I have given and got none". It is a question about the meaning of life and the purpose of our existence. But A.R. Ammons does not stop at asking the question. He takes us on a journey through the human condition, exploring the different layers of our identity and the complexity of our existence.

At its core, Identity is a poem about the struggle to find meaning in life. Ammons starts with the idea of giving and not receiving anything in return. This is a universal experience that we can all relate to. We have all given of ourselves in some way, whether it is our time, our money, or our love, and have felt the disappointment of not receiving anything in return. But Ammons takes this idea a step further, suggesting that this experience is emblematic of the human condition. We are all searching for something, whether it is happiness, love, or a sense of purpose, and the quest for these things is often fruitless.

One of the most striking things about Identity is the way that Ammons uses imagery to convey his ideas. He describes the human experience in terms of "dust clouds", "sparks", and "a cluster of stars". These images are both beautiful and melancholic, suggesting the fleeting nature of our existence. We are like dust clouds, here for a moment and then gone. But even in our fleeting existence, we are capable of creating sparks of beauty and light that illuminate the darkness. We are like a cluster of stars, each one shining bright but ultimately insignificant in the vast expanse of the universe.

Another key theme in Identity is the idea of transformation. Ammons suggests that we are constantly changing, evolving, and becoming something else. He writes, "I am not who I was, though some principle of being / abides, from which I struggle not to stray." This idea is both hopeful and challenging. It suggests that we are not locked into a fixed identity, but can continue to grow and evolve throughout our lives. But it also requires us to be active agents in our own transformation, to struggle against the forces that would keep us static and unchanging.

Perhaps the most powerful moment in Identity comes towards the end of the poem, when Ammons writes, "I am an old man, / and a young man, / and a middle-aged man - / all at the same time." This line captures the paradoxical nature of the human condition, the way that we are all simultaneously young and old, wise and foolish, strong and weak. It suggests that our identity is not fixed, but constantly shifting and evolving.

Overall, Identity is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that explores some of the most fundamental questions of human existence. It is a poem that reminds us of our own mortality, but also of our potential for transformation and growth. It is a poem that asks us to grapple with the complexity and ambiguity of our own identity, and to embrace the contradictions that make us human.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Identity: A Reflection on the Self

Identity, a poem written by A.R. Ammons, is a masterpiece that delves into the complexities of the self. The poem is a reflection on the human experience, exploring the idea of identity and how it is shaped by our surroundings. The poem is a journey of self-discovery, a search for meaning and purpose in life. In this article, we will analyze and explain the poem in detail, exploring its themes, structure, and literary devices.

The poem is divided into three stanzas, each with a distinct theme. The first stanza is an introduction to the poem, setting the tone for the rest of the work. The second stanza is a reflection on the self, exploring the idea of identity and how it is shaped by our surroundings. The third stanza is a conclusion, a reflection on the journey of self-discovery.

The first stanza begins with the line, "I have been a stranger in a strange land." This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, suggesting that the speaker is lost and searching for something. The line is a reference to the biblical story of Moses, who was a stranger in a strange land. The speaker is using this reference to suggest that they too are lost and searching for something.

The second stanza is the heart of the poem, exploring the idea of identity. The stanza begins with the line, "I am what I am." This line is a reference to the biblical story of Moses, who when asked by God who he was, replied, "I am what I am." The speaker is using this reference to suggest that their identity is not something that can be easily defined. The speaker is suggesting that their identity is complex and multifaceted, shaped by their surroundings.

The stanza goes on to explore the idea of identity further, suggesting that our identity is shaped by our surroundings. The speaker suggests that our identity is not something that we are born with, but rather something that is shaped by our experiences. The stanza ends with the line, "I am the sum of my experiences." This line suggests that our identity is a product of our experiences, shaped by the people and places we encounter in life.

The third stanza is a conclusion, a reflection on the journey of self-discovery. The stanza begins with the line, "I have searched for myself in the mountains." This line suggests that the speaker has been on a journey of self-discovery, searching for meaning and purpose in life. The stanza goes on to suggest that the speaker has found what they were looking for, ending with the line, "I have found myself in the mountains."

The poem is rich in literary devices, including allusion, metaphor, and imagery. The use of allusion is evident throughout the poem, with references to the biblical story of Moses. The use of metaphor is also evident, with the speaker comparing themselves to a stranger in a strange land. The use of imagery is also evident, with the speaker describing their search for identity in the mountains.

In conclusion, Identity is a masterpiece that explores the complexities of the self. The poem is a reflection on the human experience, exploring the idea of identity and how it is shaped by our surroundings. The poem is a journey of self-discovery, a search for meaning and purpose in life. The poem is rich in literary devices, including allusion, metaphor, and imagery. Identity is a timeless work that will continue to resonate with readers for generations to come.

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