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'Because You Asked About The Line Between Prose And Poetry' by Howard Nemerov


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The Collected Poems of Howard Nemerov1977Sparrows were feeding in a freezing drizzle
That while you watched turned into pieces of snow
Riding a gradient invisible
From silver aslant to random, white, and slow.There came a moment that you couldn't tell.
And then they clearly flew instead of fell.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Poetry, Because You Asked About The Line Between Prose And Poetry by Howard Nemerov

Are you someone who has ever found themselves questioning the difference between poetry and prose? If so, Howard Nemerov's poem "Poetry, Because You Asked About The Line Between Prose And Poetry" is the perfect piece for you to dive into. This poem, published in 1977, explores the blurred lines between what we consider to be poetry and what we consider to be prose.

The Structure of the Poem

At first glance, "Poetry, Because You Asked About The Line Between Prose And Poetry" appears to be a free-verse poem. However, upon closer inspection, it becomes clear that it is actually written in a specific structure: tercets of ten to twelve syllables each. This structure gives the poem a sense of order and control, which is interesting considering the subject matter. It's as if Nemerov is saying that even though the line between poetry and prose may be blurry, there is still a structure to both that must be respected.

The Blurring of the Line

Throughout the poem, Nemerov gives examples of writing that could be considered either poetry or prose. Take, for example, the opening lines:

"It's the line between the two that counts," the cop said, thumb jerking at the blacktop blur.

Here, the cop is referring to the line on the road that separates the lanes of traffic. However, Nemerov uses the cop's words to make a statement about the line between poetry and prose. The fact that the cop's thumb jerks at the line indicates that it is not a clear distinction. The line is blurry, just like the line between poetry and prose.

Nemerov continues to explore this idea throughout the poem, giving examples of writing that could be considered either poetry or prose. He mentions a sentence from Kafka, a passage from Hemingway, and even a line from Shakespeare. Each of these examples blurs the line between poetry and prose, further emphasizing the point that the two are not always easily distinguishable.

The Importance of the Reader

One of the key themes that emerges from "Poetry, Because You Asked About The Line Between Prose And Poetry" is the importance of the reader. Nemerov seems to be saying that it is ultimately up to the reader to decide whether a piece of writing is poetry or prose. He writes:

It's not the line you can point to, nor is it what the words say. It's how the language goes

Here, Nemerov is suggesting that it is not the words themselves that determine whether something is poetry or prose, but rather the way in which they are arranged. And who is responsible for interpreting that arrangement? The reader.

The Power of Language

Another theme that emerges from this poem is the power of language. Nemerov writes:

Poetry is the tunnelling falls back on itself, and dreams of the first light waking the sky

Here, Nemerov is suggesting that poetry has the power to transport us to a different world, to make us see things in a new way. The idea of "tunnelling" suggests a journey, a movement forward into something unknown. And the image of "the first light waking the sky" is a powerful one, suggesting a sense of hope and renewal.

Conclusion

In conclusion, "Poetry, Because You Asked About The Line Between Prose And Poetry" is a thought-provoking poem that explores the blurred line between what we consider to be poetry and what we consider to be prose. Through his use of specific structure, examples, and themes, Howard Nemerov encourages us to think more deeply about the power of language and the importance of the reader in determining the meaning of a piece of writing. This poem is a testament to the fact that sometimes, the most profound insights come from exploring the things that are not easily defined.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry is a form of literature that has been around for centuries. It is a form of expression that allows writers to convey their thoughts and emotions in a creative and artistic way. However, there has always been a debate about the line between prose and poetry. What makes a piece of writing poetry, and what makes it prose? Howard Nemerov's poem "Because You Asked About The Line Between Prose And Poetry" is a beautiful and thought-provoking exploration of this question.

The poem begins with the speaker acknowledging that there is a line between prose and poetry, but it is not a clear one. He says, "As much as the spirit of poetry / is a spirit of inquiry, / it is also a spirit of evasion." This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as the speaker explores the idea that poetry is both a way of seeking answers and a way of avoiding them.

The next few lines of the poem describe the differences between prose and poetry. Prose, the speaker says, is "words in their best order," while poetry is "the best words in the best order." This distinction is important because it highlights the fact that poetry is not just about the words themselves, but also about the way they are arranged.

The speaker then goes on to describe the different ways in which prose and poetry are used. Prose, he says, is used to convey information and ideas, while poetry is used to convey emotions and feelings. This is another important distinction, as it shows that poetry is not just about the words themselves, but also about the emotions and ideas they convey.

The poem then takes a turn, as the speaker begins to explore the idea that poetry is a way of evading the truth. He says, "Poetry is a way of taking life by the throat," and goes on to describe how poetry can be used to avoid the harsh realities of life. This is a powerful idea, as it suggests that poetry is not just a form of expression, but also a way of coping with the difficulties of life.

The speaker then goes on to describe the different ways in which poetry can be used to evade the truth. He says that poetry can be used to "make a world where words are enough," and that it can be used to "make a world where words are not enough." This is a fascinating idea, as it suggests that poetry can be used to create a world that is either more or less real than the one we live in.

The poem then takes another turn, as the speaker begins to explore the idea that poetry is a way of seeking the truth. He says, "Poetry is a way of looking at life through a magnifying glass," and goes on to describe how poetry can be used to explore the deeper truths of life. This is an important idea, as it suggests that poetry is not just a way of avoiding the truth, but also a way of seeking it out.

The poem then ends with a powerful statement about the nature of poetry. The speaker says, "Poetry is a way of taking life by the throat, / and saying, 'Look at me, don't look at me.'" This line encapsulates the central idea of the poem, which is that poetry is both a way of seeking the truth and a way of avoiding it.

In conclusion, Howard Nemerov's poem "Because You Asked About The Line Between Prose And Poetry" is a beautiful and thought-provoking exploration of the question of what makes a piece of writing poetry. The poem explores the differences between prose and poetry, as well as the ways in which poetry can be used to evade or seek the truth. Ultimately, the poem suggests that poetry is a complex and multifaceted form of expression that can be used in many different ways.

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