Description isn't something you can trust --

Can't describe it...

b’’h

4/24/12

Description isn’t something you can trust --

Since that of one with others disagree; 

And even so, a fraud is memory --

We never tell the story as it was.

The truth is not available to us;

And anyhow the fact of time decree

That -- simply -- what was Now no longer be:

In that way even mountains turn to dust.

Of surety then description is not --

Nor can it ever be.  Yet we pursue

Accuracy. We strive to plainly tell:

What reasons lie beneath this feeble plot

I cannot yet imagine even few...

But guess one: clarity makes us feel well.

Reviews

[John]

I was going to complain about the sestet, which sort of comes unstuck because of some faulty metre and an abundance of internal rhyme until I realised that this is deliberate. Dickenson uses the same device in 'Because I could not stop for death..' with the word ground repeated in the poem as the protagonist realises what is truely in front of her. I like the use of the sonnet to upend our expectations.

[Firestone Feinberg]

John, your reviews are insightful and thorough. I welcome your knowlege and your keen observations. They are grounded in an expertise I could never have; I trust your perception. You are a helper. Thanks. --FF

[John]

You're welcome. Glad to be of help.

[Ed Hart]

it's a braillish sort of world, all of us seeing through our glasses darkly

[sithlordjp]

"But guess one: clarity makes us feel well." That last line is so powerful David. Another amazing write !

[Firestone Feinberg]

Thank you JP! I am honored and lifted up by your generous words. Your opinion is special to me. ...David

[jacob erin-cilberto]

we poets can see anything so differently and we write what we see...i also believe readers should be allowed to see what they see...

everything looks different from various perspectives...

we can never be sure of what we see, even as we are looking right at it.

[Firestone Feinberg]

Spot on, Jake! You are absolutely and brilliantly right in all you say. If you haven't yet done so, I suggest printing out these very special observations for your students. Thanks sir! David

[jacob erin-cilberto]

it is the philosophy i use consistently when teaching my poetry sections...

yes.