'Tell' by Paul Muldoon
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He opens the scullery door, and a sudden rush
of wind, as raw as raw,
brushes past him as he himself will brush
past the stacks of strawthat stood in earlier for Crow
or Comanche tepees hung with scalps
but tonight past muster, row upon row,
for the foothills of the Alps.He opens the door of the peeling-shed
just as one of the apple-peelers
(one of almost a score
of red-cheeked men who pareand core
the red-cheeked apples for a few spare
shillings) mutters something about "bloodshed"
and the "peelers."The red-cheeked men put down their knives
at one and the same
moment. All but his father, who somehow connives
to close one eye as if taking aimor holding back a tear,
and shoots him a glance
he might take, as it whizzes past his ear,
for a Crow, or a Comanche, lancehurled through the Tilley-lit
gloom of the peeling-shed,
when he hears what must be an apple split
above his head.
Editor 1 Interpretation
A Deeper Understanding of Paul Muldoon's "Tell"
As I started reading Paul Muldoon's poem "Tell," the first thing that comes to my mind is the speaker's voice. It is a voice that speaks with a sense of urgency, as if he's telling us something that we really need to hear. It's a voice that is both nostalgic and ironic, as if the speaker is reminiscing about his past experiences while also acknowledging their absurdity.
At its core, "Tell" is a poem about communication. It explores the different ways in which we try to communicate with each other, and the various obstacles that stand in our way. The poem consists of a series of short vignettes, each one focusing on a different means of communication.
The first vignette is about a "voice from a distant hill." The speaker describes how he would listen to this voice as a child, trying to make out what it was saying. The voice becomes a symbol for all the messages that we receive from the world around us, messages that we may not always fully understand.
Next, the speaker tells us about a "telephone exchange." He describes the operators who would connect the calls and how they would listen in on people's conversations. This vignette speaks to the idea that even when we try to communicate with each other, there is still a level of surveillance and intrusion.
The poem then moves on to the idea of letter writing, and how it was once a common way to communicate with people who were far away. The speaker remembers receiving letters from his mother, and how they were a lifeline for him when he was feeling homesick. But even here, there is a sense of distance and separation. The letters are a reminder of how far away his mother is, and how much he misses her.
The next vignette is about a man who is trying to communicate with his wife, but she doesn't seem to be listening. He tries to get her attention by tapping on her shoulder, but she continues to ignore him. This vignette speaks to the idea that even when we are physically close to another person, there can still be a sense of isolation and disconnection.
The final vignette is about a radio broadcast, and how the speaker would listen to it in his childhood home. The broadcast becomes a symbol for all the messages that we receive from the world around us, messages that we may not always fully understand.
Throughout the poem, there is a sense of longing for connection and understanding. The speaker wants to be able to communicate with the people around him, but he is constantly faced with obstacles. Whether it's the distance between him and his mother, the intrusion of the telephone operators, or the disconnect with his wife, there is always something standing in his way.
What I find particularly interesting about "Tell" is the way in which Muldoon uses language to convey his ideas. The poem is full of wordplay and clever turns of phrase. For example, he describes the telephone operators as "ladies who connected / us." The use of "connected" here is both literal and figurative, highlighting the idea that even when we are trying to communicate with each other, there is still a level of separation.
Another example of Muldoon's wordplay is in the final stanza, where he writes: "The rustling of leaves / on the ground, the sound / of a hand on a receiver." Here, the sound of the leaves rustling becomes a symbol for the messages that we receive from the world around us, while the sound of a hand on a receiver represents our attempts to understand and respond to those messages.
Overall, "Tell" is a powerful poem that speaks to the struggle of communication. It is a reminder that even when we are surrounded by messages and signals, it can still be difficult to truly connect with the people around us. Muldoon's use of language and imagery is masterful, and his ability to convey complex ideas in a few short lines is truly impressive.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry Tell: A Masterpiece by Paul Muldoon
Poetry is an art form that has been around for centuries, and it continues to captivate and inspire people to this day. One of the most celebrated poets of our time is Paul Muldoon, who has written numerous works that have earned him critical acclaim and a loyal following. One of his most famous poems is "Poetry Tell," a masterpiece that showcases his talent and creativity.
"Poetry Tell" is a complex and multi-layered poem that explores the nature of poetry and its relationship to the world around us. The poem is structured as a series of questions and answers, with the speaker asking a series of questions about poetry and the person responding with a series of cryptic and enigmatic answers. The poem is full of wordplay, puns, and allusions, making it a challenging but rewarding read for those who are willing to take the time to unpack its many layers.
The poem begins with the speaker asking, "What is poetry, and how does it work?" This question sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as the speaker seeks to understand the essence of poetry and its role in our lives. The response to this question is equally cryptic, with the person responding, "Poetry is a tell, a tell of what's to come." This answer suggests that poetry is a way of predicting the future or revealing hidden truths about the world.
The next question the speaker asks is, "What is the purpose of poetry?" The response to this question is equally enigmatic, with the person responding, "The purpose of poetry is to tell the tale of the tell." This answer suggests that poetry is a way of telling stories, but it also implies that there is something deeper and more profound about the act of telling stories through poetry.
As the poem progresses, the questions become more complex and abstract, with the speaker asking, "What is the relationship between poetry and truth?" The response to this question is one of the most memorable lines in the poem, as the person responds, "Poetry is the truth in the lie." This line suggests that poetry is a way of conveying truth through the use of metaphor and symbolism, even if the words themselves are not literally true.
The poem continues in this vein, with the speaker asking a series of questions about the nature of poetry and the person responding with equally cryptic answers. The poem is full of wordplay and allusions, making it a challenging but rewarding read for those who are willing to take the time to unpack its many layers.
One of the most striking aspects of "Poetry Tell" is its use of language. Muldoon is a master of wordplay and puns, and this poem is full of examples of his skill. For example, in response to the question, "What is the sound of poetry?" the person responds, "The sound of poetry is the tell of the tale." This line is a play on words, as "tell" can mean both to reveal something and to make a sound, while "tale" can mean both a story and a sound.
Another example of Muldoon's wordplay can be found in the response to the question, "What is the meaning of poetry?" The person responds, "The meaning of poetry is the tell of the tell." This line is a play on words, as "tell" can mean both to reveal something and to count, while "meaning" can mean both significance and a way of counting.
Overall, "Poetry Tell" is a masterpiece of modern poetry that showcases Paul Muldoon's talent and creativity. The poem is full of complex ideas and wordplay, making it a challenging but rewarding read for those who are willing to take the time to unpack its many layers. If you are a fan of poetry or simply appreciate the beauty of language, then "Poetry Tell" is a must-read.
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