I wanted to wright about this poem because I actually disagree with it, and most of the class. :)
I think we talked about it enough to come to the conclusion it's saying not to go to deep into poetry; to enjoy it more. But why not read to much into a poem? Almost all poetry is very vague, and yes should be simply enjoyed, but I think going to deep may not be possible. If the reader is able to get something out of it, why not inspect every piece of it? This poem says "press an ear against its hive." But I don't see what is wrong with looking into the hive--to really go past the enjoying and simple analyzing. If every person reads a poem a little differently, then I think it's ok to beat it with a hose, as Collins says. That is, as long as your still able to enjoy the beauty. And I think that IS possible.
I have been waiting all year for somebody to disagree with this one and there you sit all quiet-like. What the heck?
ReplyDeleteI agree with you. I think there is a fine line between struggling with a poem so that it loses its meaning and struggling with a poem to find even more meaning. It's a balance. You seem to walk it well!
When I the poem, I saw it less about just enjoying the poem and more about realizing poems can have many meanings. I think you're right, that we should look deeper into poems, but I think Collins was talking about many students who are looking for an answer to a poem like they look for an answer in math. He's saying that poetry just doesn't work like that, which is something you seem to realize, too.
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