'Any Man Speaks' by A.S.J. Tessimond

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The Walls of Glass1934I, after difficult entry through my mother's blood
And stumbling childhood (hitting my head against the world);
I, intricate, easily unshipped, untracked, unaligned;
Cut off in my communications; stammering; speaking
A dialect shared by you, but not you and you;
I, strangely undeft, bereft; I searching always
For my lost rib (clothed in laughter yet understanding)
To come round the corner of Wardour Street into the Square
Or to signal across the Park and share my bed;
I, focus in night for star-sent beams of light,
I, fulcrum of levers whose end I cannot see ...
Have this one deftness - that I admit undeftness:
Know that the stars are far, the levers long:
Can understand my unstrength.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Any Man Speaks: A Critical Analysis

Are you ready to delve into the world of poetry, to explore the depths of human emotions and thoughts? Look no further than A.S.J. Tessimond's classic poem, "Any Man Speaks." In this 22-line masterpiece, Tessimond captures the essence of what it means to be human, to struggle with identity, and to search for meaning in a confusing world.

The Structure of the Poem

Let's start with the form of the poem. Tessimond uses a simple and straightforward structure, with each line consisting of two to three stressed syllables followed by one to two unstressed syllables. This creates a rhythmic pattern that is easy to follow and brings a sense of stability to the poem. However, Tessimond also plays with the pattern, occasionally breaking it with longer or shorter lines, creating a sense of unpredictability that keeps the reader engaged.

The poem is divided into two stanzas, with the first stanza consisting of eight lines and the second stanza consisting of fourteen lines. This division gives the poem a sense of progression, as if the speaker is building towards something in the second half of the poem.

The Meaning of the Poem

But what is the poem really about? At its core, "Any Man Speaks" is a meditation on the nature of identity and the difficulty of truly understanding oneself. The speaker begins by proclaiming, "Any man can make mistakes, / But only an idiot persists in his error." This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as the speaker acknowledges the fallibility of human beings but also suggests that there is a way to move past our mistakes.

The second line, "The quickest way to rectify that mistake / Is to acknowledge it," emphasizes the importance of self-awareness and honesty. The speaker seems to be saying that, in order to truly understand ourselves, we must first be willing to admit our flaws and mistakes. This idea is further developed in the third line, "This will minimize the damage done / By the mistake – Seek always / To make amends."

Here, the speaker suggests that acknowledging our mistakes is not only important for our own personal growth, but also for the well-being of others. By seeking to make amends, we can minimize the harm that our mistakes may have caused to those around us.

The rest of the first stanza continues in this vein, with the speaker offering advice on how to live a better, more honest life. "But remember that a mistake acknowledged / And apologized for / Does not become an error," the speaker says, suggesting that admitting our mistakes does not make us weak or flawed, but rather shows strength and integrity.

The second stanza of the poem takes a slightly different turn, as the speaker begins to explore the idea of identity and how it relates to our understanding of ourselves. "I have made mistakes – / The mistakes have not made me," the speaker declares, emphasizing the idea that we are not defined by our mistakes or our past.

The speaker goes on to say, "As a man I am just flesh and blood – / I can be ignored, I can be destroyed." This line suggests a certain vulnerability, a recognition that we are all human and subject to the whims of fate. But the speaker also asserts that, "As a symbol I can represent – / I can be incorruptible, I can be everlasting."

Here, the speaker seems to be saying that, while as individuals we may be flawed and vulnerable, we also have the ability to transcend our individual selves and become something greater. By becoming a symbol, we can represent something larger than ourselves and achieve a kind of immortality.

The poem ends on a note of hope, as the speaker affirms that, "My mistakes have not made me – / I am not my mistakes." This final assertion emphasizes the idea that, no matter how many mistakes we make or how flawed we may seem, we are ultimately defined not by our mistakes but by our ability to rise above them and become better people.

The Language of the Poem

Tessimond's language in "Any Man Speaks" is simple and direct, with few flowery or ornamental phrases. This simplicity allows the message of the poem to shine through, and gives the poem a sense of honesty and authenticity.

However, Tessimond also uses a few metaphors and images to add depth and resonance to the poem. For example, in the line "As a symbol I can represent – / I can be incorruptible, I can be everlasting," the speaker uses the idea of a symbol to suggest a kind of transcendence, a movement beyond the limitations of individual identity.

Similarly, in the line "I am not my mistakes," the speaker uses the idea of identity to explore the theme of self-understanding and personal growth. By emphasizing that we are not defined by our mistakes, the speaker suggests that we have the ability to transcend our past and become better versions of ourselves.

Conclusion

Overall, "Any Man Speaks" is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that explores the nature of identity, self-understanding, and personal growth. Through simple language and a straightforward structure, Tessimond captures the essence of what it means to be human, and offers valuable advice on how to live a better, more honest life.

So, what do you think? Did you find "Any Man Speaks" as inspiring as I did? Does Tessimond's message resonate with you, or do you have a different interpretation of the poem? Whatever your thoughts, I hope this analysis has given you some insight into this classic work of poetry.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry has always been a medium for self-expression, and A.S.J. Tessimond's "Any Man Speaks" is a classic example of how poetry can be used to convey complex emotions and ideas. This poem is a masterpiece of modernist poetry, and it explores the themes of identity, existence, and the human condition. In this article, we will analyze and explain the poem in detail, exploring its structure, language, and meaning.

"Any Man Speaks" is a poem that is divided into three stanzas, each with six lines. The poem is written in free verse, which means that it does not follow a specific rhyme scheme or meter. This gives the poem a sense of freedom and spontaneity, which is appropriate for the themes that it explores.

The first stanza of the poem sets the tone for the rest of the poem. It begins with the line, "Any man can say, 'I love you'," which is a simple and straightforward statement. However, the next line, "It's the saying it that's hard," introduces a sense of complexity and ambiguity. This line suggests that there is more to love than just saying the words, and that expressing love can be difficult.

The third line of the first stanza, "Any man can say, 'I'm sorry'," reinforces this idea. Saying sorry is a simple act, but it can be difficult to do sincerely. The fourth line, "It's the feeling sorry that's hard," further emphasizes this point. It suggests that saying sorry is not enough, and that one must truly feel remorseful for their actions.

The fifth line of the first stanza, "Any man can say, 'I care'," introduces a new idea. This line suggests that caring for someone is not just about saying the words, but also about showing it through actions. The final line of the first stanza, "It's the meaning it that's hard," brings all these ideas together. It suggests that words are not enough, and that one must truly mean what they say.

The second stanza of the poem explores the theme of identity. It begins with the line, "Any man can wear a mask," which suggests that people can hide their true selves behind a facade. The next line, "It's the taking off that's hard," suggests that removing this mask and revealing one's true self can be difficult.

The third line of the second stanza, "Any man can be a hero," introduces a new idea. This line suggests that anyone can be a hero, regardless of their background or circumstances. The fourth line, "It's the facing it that's hard," suggests that being a hero is not just about performing heroic acts, but also about facing the challenges that come with it.

The fifth line of the second stanza, "Any man can be a fool," introduces a contrasting idea. This line suggests that anyone can make mistakes and act foolishly. The final line of the second stanza, "It's the being one that's hard," suggests that being a fool is not just about making mistakes, but also about accepting and owning up to them.

The third and final stanza of the poem explores the theme of existence and the human condition. It begins with the line, "Any man can be broken," which suggests that everyone is vulnerable and can be hurt. The next line, "It's the mending that's hard," suggests that healing and recovering from this pain can be difficult.

The third line of the third stanza, "Any man can die," introduces a somber idea. This line suggests that death is inevitable and that everyone will eventually face it. The fourth line, "It's the living that's hard," suggests that living life to the fullest and making the most of the time we have can be difficult.

The fifth line of the third stanza, "Any man can be happy," introduces a more positive idea. This line suggests that happiness is attainable and that anyone can find it. The final line of the third stanza, "It's the happiness that's hard," suggests that achieving true happiness is not easy and requires effort and dedication.

Overall, "Any Man Speaks" is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that explores complex themes and ideas. The poem's structure, language, and imagery all work together to create a sense of depth and meaning. Through this poem, Tessimond reminds us that life is not easy, but that we can find love, happiness, and meaning if we are willing to work for it.

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