How to eat a poem
Don't be polite.
Bite in.
Pick it up with your fingers and lick the juice that
may run down your chin.
It is ready and ripe now, whenever you are.
You do not need a knife or fork or spoon
or plate or napkin or tablecloth.
For there is no core
or stem
or rind
or pit
or seed
or skin
to throw away.
what advice is being offered to u as a reader of poetry?
-To be able to read calmly enough to sink into the poems.
-ur viewpoint on this would be appreciated as well, thanks
what else is in the poem besides the title that suggests the subject matter of the poem?-is it the the second bit?--"Bite it"
whats the planned effect of the repetition of the word "or" in the poem
?????????????????????
why is there no commas around the or's
-is it because the reader is trying to tell us everything in one whole breath?
y r works in the poem shaped like this
-is it because its getting us to visualize the actual picture of it-make us understand more better?
whats the planned effect of the repetition of the word "or" in the poem
??????
Emphasis
no commas around the or's
Yes
Right.
The advice being offered to you as a reader of poetry is to approach it in a more direct and unorthodox manner. The poem encourages you to "bite in" and engage with the poem without any tools or barriers. This suggests that you should immerse yourself fully in the experience and not be afraid to be messy or unconventional in your approach.
The repetition of the word "or" in the poem serves to emphasize the absence of certain elements typically associated with consuming food, such as core, stem, rind, pit, seed, and skin. It reinforces the idea that a poem does not have any waste or extraneous parts to discard. The repetition also adds a rhythm to the poem, creating a sense of flow and playfulness.
The absence of commas around the "or" suggests that the reader is meant to read the entire list in one breath, without pausing. It contributes to the rhythm and fluidity of the poem, and it also reinforces the idea that one should consume the poem in its entirety, without hesitation or interruption.
The shape of the words in the poem may serve to visually represent the act of eating or biting into something. It may be a stylistic choice to engage the reader's imagination and create a more tactile experience of interacting with the poem. The irregular spacing and arrangement of the words can evoke a sense of messiness or spontaneity.
The poem titled "How to eat a poem" by Eve Merriam offers advice to readers on how to approach reading and experiencing poetry.
The advice being offered is to not be formal or restrained but to engage with the poem in a visceral and immersive way. The speaker suggests that the reader should devour the poem, both literally and metaphorically. By using the image of eating a poem, the poem encourages readers to fully embrace and savor the experience of poetry without any barriers or inhibitions.
Besides the title, the second line, "Bite in," also suggests the subject matter of the poem. It reinforces the idea of engaging with the poem physically and actively, as if taking a bite of something delicious and satisfying.
The repetition of the word "or" throughout the poem serves to emphasize the lack of any unnecessary or extraneous components in the poem. It reinforces the idea that a poem is a concentrated and self-contained entity, without any parts that can be discarded or ignored. The use of repetition also gives a rhythm to the poem, creating a sense of urgency and excitement in the reading experience.
The absence of commas around the "or" indicates the fast-paced and continuous flow of the poem. This lack of punctuation separates the ideas and elements of the poem, while also suggesting that everything is interconnected and part of a unified whole. It can be seen as an invitation for the reader to engage with the poem in one breath, without pausing or taking breaks.
The unconventional shape of the words in the poem, with lines broken and rearranged, serves as a visual representation of the poem's subject matter. It echoes the act of consuming something, like taking a bite or licking the juice that runs down your chin. The rearrangement of the words helps to emphasize the tactile and sensory nature of the eating experience, providing a visual and kinetic understanding of the poem.