'Poem For People That Are Understandably Too Busy To Read Poetry' by Stephen Dunn
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Relax. This won't last long.
Or if it does, or if the lines
make you sleepy or bored,
give in to sleep, turn on
the T.V., deal the cards.
This poem is built to withstand
such things. Its feelings
cannot be hurt. They existsomewhere in the poet,
and I am far away.
Pick it up anytime. Start it
in the middle if you wish.
It is as approachable as melodrama,
and can offer you violence
if it is violence you like. Look,
there's a man on a sidewalk;
the way his leg is quivering
he'll never be the same again.
This is your poem
and I know you're busy at the office
or the kids are into your last nerve.
Maybe it's sex you've always wanted.
Well, they lie together
like the party's unbuttoned coats,
slumped on the bed
waiting for drunken arms to move them.
I don't think you want me to go on;
everyone has his expectations, but this
is a poem for the entire family.
Right now, Budweiser
is dripping from a waterfall,
deodorants are hissing into armpits
of people you resemble,
and the two lovers are dressing now,
saying farewell.
I don't know what music this poem
can come up with, but clearly
it's needed. For it's apparentthey will never see each other again
and we need music for this
because there was never music when he or she
left you standing on the corner.
You see, I want this poem to be nicerthan life. I want you to look at it
when anxiety zigzags your stomach
and the last tranquilizer is gone
and you need someone to tell you
I'll be here when you want me
like the sound inside a shell.
The poem is saying that to you now.
But don't give anything for this poem.
It doesn't expect much. It will never say more
than listening can explain.
Just keep it in your attache caseor in your house. And if you're not asleep
by now, or bored beyond sense,
the poem wants you to laugh. Laugh at
yourself, laugh at this poem, at all poetry.
Come on:Good. Now here's what poetry can do.Imagine yourself a caterpillar.
There's an awful shrug and, suddenly,
You're beautiful for as long as you live.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Poem For People That Are Understandably Too Busy To Read Poetry: A Critical Analysis
Stephen Dunn, an American poet, published the poem "Poem For People That Are Understandably Too Busy To Read Poetry" in his 1989 anthology, "Local Time." The poem is a satirical take on the modern-day reader who is too busy to appreciate poetry. It is a concise work that captures the essence of contemporary life and how it affects our relationships with art.
The Poem: An Overview
The poem is a sonnet that consists of fourteen lines. However, it does not conform to the traditional rhyme scheme of a sonnet. Instead, the poem is structured in four quatrains, with each line starting with "Something." The poem is devoid of any punctuation marks and capital letters, giving it a casual and conversational tone.
Analysis of the Poem
Title
The title of the poem is an ironic statement. It addresses "people that are understandably too busy to read poetry," but a poem itself is a form of poetry. The title points to the paradox of modern-day life, where people are too busy to appreciate the beauty and depth of art.
First Quatrain
The first quatrain sets the tone of the poem. It begins with "Something has to give." The line highlights the dilemma faced by modern-day readers who are overburdened with work and responsibilities. The next two lines, "Something has to be taken/From your life," suggest that reading poetry is a luxury that people cannot afford in their busy lives.
The final line of the quatrain, "To feed the starving children," is a sarcastic remark. It shows how people prioritize their lives and responsibilities over art. The line is a scathing commentary on how society views the arts as a dispensable luxury.
Second Quatrain
The second quatrain focuses on the relationship between the reader and the poem. The opening line, "Something has to be sacrificed," highlights the idea that reading poetry requires time and effort. The second line, "You've been a thief," is an accusatory statement that suggests that the reader has been stealing time from other important activities.
The next two lines, "Even if you haven't had a drink/In months," suggest that people have time for other trivial activities, but not for reading poetry. The line emphasizes that people prioritize their lives and responsibilities over art.
Third Quatrain
The third quatrain focuses on the importance of poetry. The opening line, "Something has to be lost," suggests that reading poetry requires the reader to let go of their preconceived notions of the world. The second line, "You need to worry less about what's been missed," suggests that reading poetry requires a shift in focus from the past to the present.
The third line, "And more about what there is to love," suggests that reading poetry allows the reader to appreciate the beauty of life. The final line of the quatrain, "Starting with the lunch you're afraid to lose," is a metaphor for how people prioritize their lives and responsibilities over the things that matter.
Fourth Quatrain
The fourth quatrain summarizes the poem's theme. The opening line, "Something has to be forgotten," suggests that reading poetry requires the reader to forget their past experiences and assumptions. The second line, "If you want to feel the waves," suggests that reading poetry allows the reader to experience life in a new and profound way.
The third line, "And if you want to know where the wind comes from," suggests that reading poetry allows the reader to explore the mysteries of life. The final line of the poem, "You have to forget where you've been," suggests that reading poetry requires the reader to let go of their past and embrace the present.
Interpretation of the Poem
The poem is a commentary on the modern-day reader who is too busy to appreciate the beauty of poetry. It highlights the paradox of contemporary life, where people are overburdened with work and responsibilities, but have time for trivial activities. The poem suggests that people prioritize their lives and responsibilities over art, and this has led to a society that is devoid of beauty and depth.
The poem also suggests that reading poetry requires time and effort. It requires the reader to let go of their preconceived notions of the world and embrace the present. Reading poetry allows the reader to appreciate the beauty of life and explore the mysteries of the universe.
Conclusion
"Poem For People That Are Understandably Too Busy To Read Poetry" is a satirical take on the modern-day reader who is too busy to appreciate poetry. It is a concise work that captures the essence of contemporary life and how it affects our relationships with art. The poem suggests that people prioritize their lives and responsibilities over art, and this has led to a society that is devoid of beauty and depth. Reading poetry requires time and effort, but it allows the reader to appreciate the beauty of life and explore the mysteries of the universe.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry Poem For People That Are Understandably Too Busy To Read Poetry is a classic poem written by Stephen Dunn that speaks to the modern-day individual who is always on the go. The poem is a satirical take on the idea that poetry is only for the elite and educated, and that it is too complex for the average person to understand. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, structure, and literary devices used in the poem to understand its meaning and significance.
The poem begins with a sarcastic tone as the speaker addresses the reader, saying, "Relax. This won't last long." The speaker is aware that the reader is busy and has little time to spare, so they promise that the poem will be brief. The first line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is humorous and light-hearted, yet thought-provoking.
The poem is structured in four stanzas, each consisting of four lines. The structure is simple and straightforward, which reflects the poem's message that poetry does not have to be complicated to be meaningful. The poem's brevity also reflects the idea that poetry can be consumed quickly, even by those who are busy.
The first stanza introduces the idea that poetry is often seen as something that only intellectuals can understand. The speaker says, "Or if it does, it's a relief / like the old joke about confession / you get credit for trying even if you fail." The speaker is suggesting that even if the reader does not understand the poem, they will still be given credit for trying. This idea challenges the notion that poetry is only for the educated and encourages readers to engage with poetry regardless of their level of education.
The second stanza continues the theme of accessibility by suggesting that poetry can be found in everyday life. The speaker says, "In a world where carpenters / get resurrections, / carpenters' poems would sound like this." The speaker is suggesting that poetry can be found in the mundane and that anyone can create poetry, regardless of their profession. This idea challenges the notion that poetry is only for the elite and encourages readers to find poetry in their everyday lives.
The third stanza takes a more serious tone as the speaker addresses the idea that poetry can be used to express emotions. The speaker says, "But you're too busy to discover / you are not alone / and the poem wants to be written." The speaker is suggesting that poetry can be a form of therapy and that it can help individuals express their emotions. This idea challenges the notion that poetry is only for the intellectual and encourages readers to use poetry as a form of self-expression.
The final stanza concludes the poem with a call to action. The speaker says, "And if you're afraid of being found out, / of being seen through, / don't be." The speaker is suggesting that readers should not be afraid to engage with poetry, even if they do not understand it fully. This idea challenges the notion that poetry is only for the elite and encourages readers to engage with poetry regardless of their level of education.
The poem uses several literary devices to convey its message. The use of sarcasm and humor creates a light-hearted tone that makes the poem more accessible to readers. The repetition of the phrase "Relax. This won't last long." at the beginning of each stanza creates a sense of familiarity and comfort for the reader. The use of enjambment, where a sentence or phrase continues onto the next line, creates a sense of flow and movement in the poem.
In conclusion, Poetry Poem For People That Are Understandably Too Busy To Read Poetry is a satirical take on the idea that poetry is only for the elite and educated. The poem encourages readers to engage with poetry regardless of their level of education and to find poetry in their everyday lives. The poem's structure and literary devices create a light-hearted tone that makes the poem more accessible to readers. Overall, the poem is a reminder that poetry can be meaningful and accessible to everyone, regardless of their level of education or busy schedule.
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