I found this to be very touching and profound. It's difficult for youth to appreciate that the heart remains a child long after the body has become old and frail.
This poem sucks. That essay by Dan Schneider begins with the line: "Finally a Poet Laureate that it could actually be argued that deserved the nod." That is hardly a "harsh" review. Really bad poem.
@SpokenVerse I can't agree with Schneider that economy in a poem is always a better idea, nor can I agree that the cliche' is to be avoided at all costs. My own advancing age influences my opinion of this poem, but I find it wonderfully visual and poignant. There has been a great revolution in poetry over the years, and most young people would find the lyrical poems written years ago abhorrent. Poetry is art, and criticism of any art widely varies with the individual.
Most people would die sooner than think; in fact, they do.
- Bertrand Russell
Dan Schneider needs to think his way past 100 to overthink himself beyond the 100 years of thoughtfulness Mr. Kunitz ' s work gestated . Don ' t you think ?
I remember as a youth thinking that the old had made some sort of mistaken choice and that's why they were old. I thought I would avoid that mistake and I wouldn't choose to be old ... what a maroon -- heheh. My opinion is that technology has progressively made elder knowledge irrelavant, beginning with the written language -- and as for the harsh reviewer, a paraphrase: Near greatness is hard, critique is easy.
@liz1060 If critique were easy, why are so many lousy at it? And the review begins with: "Finally a Poet Laureate that it could actually be argued that deserved the nod." That is hardly "harsh." It actually does a great job of deconstructing Kunitz's decline as a writer and thinker. Read Schneider's poems--writing like THAT is what's hard, and I don't mean boner in the pants.
One of his best poems, and there is also a nice reading he gave at PoetryEverywherePTV. Thanks for sharing his work. I also like the comments below from your first commenter, about what elders have to teach.
I feel the the loss of respect for the wisdom that comes with age is due more to evolving societal norms and the disconnect that each generation has the previous because of this. Religious views, issues of human rights, advancements in technology, how we view a global population and our place in it changes fairly rapidly. It is a mistake for youth to feel that elders have nothing to teach them because of a varied perception on the world, but it happens often.
I found this to be very touching and profound. It's difficult for youth to appreciate that the heart remains a child long after the body has become old and frail.
dwreid55 1 week ago
this poem is beautiful.
jenniferashley99 1 month ago
Enjoyed this. For me this poem works - inviting the listener into the experience...
maydragon1 1 month ago
This poem sucks. That essay by Dan Schneider begins with the line: "Finally a Poet Laureate that it could actually be argued that deserved the nod." That is hardly a "harsh" review. Really bad poem.
unarex1 5 months ago
@unarex1 That's not literary criticism. You have to say why it's bad. Otherwise your reaction might be only your own distemper.
SpokenVerse 5 months ago 4
@SpokenVerse I can't agree with Schneider that economy in a poem is always a better idea, nor can I agree that the cliche' is to be avoided at all costs. My own advancing age influences my opinion of this poem, but I find it wonderfully visual and poignant. There has been a great revolution in poetry over the years, and most young people would find the lyrical poems written years ago abhorrent. Poetry is art, and criticism of any art widely varies with the individual.
blazehok 3 months ago
Most people would die sooner than think; in fact, they do.
- Bertrand Russell
Dan Schneider needs to think his way past 100 to overthink himself beyond the 100 years of thoughtfulness Mr. Kunitz ' s work gestated . Don ' t you think ?
rappamarfil 6 months ago
We accumulate our opinions at an age when our understanding is at its weakest.
- Georg C. Lichtenberg
rappamarfil 6 months ago
Wonderful poem, thank you. Also thanks for the technical tips-I'll try them.
palneve 6 months ago
I remember as a youth thinking that the old had made some sort of mistaken choice and that's why they were old. I thought I would avoid that mistake and I wouldn't choose to be old ... what a maroon -- heheh. My opinion is that technology has progressively made elder knowledge irrelavant, beginning with the written language -- and as for the harsh reviewer, a paraphrase: Near greatness is hard, critique is easy.
liz1060 6 months ago
@liz1060 If critique were easy, why are so many lousy at it? And the review begins with: "Finally a Poet Laureate that it could actually be argued that deserved the nod." That is hardly "harsh." It actually does a great job of deconstructing Kunitz's decline as a writer and thinker. Read Schneider's poems--writing like THAT is what's hard, and I don't mean boner in the pants.
unarex1 5 months ago
Спасибо
silentium1972 6 months ago
@silentium1972 That means "Thanks" - translated by Babelfish
SpokenVerse 6 months ago
So good! Thanks!
scifiwritir1 6 months ago
It doesn't help much that there are plenty of elderly people who have managed to go through their entire lives without learning anything at all.
I really love this poem, though. Sometimes I feel like a cricket ready to burst.
excalibran 6 months ago
Well, that Dan Schneider must be a very self-satisfied little twit...
kevin60ification 6 months ago
One of his best poems, and there is also a nice reading he gave at PoetryEverywherePTV. Thanks for sharing his work. I also like the comments below from your first commenter, about what elders have to teach.
HerAeolianHarp 6 months ago
...very nice....
paulpellicci 6 months ago
I feel the the loss of respect for the wisdom that comes with age is due more to evolving societal norms and the disconnect that each generation has the previous because of this. Religious views, issues of human rights, advancements in technology, how we view a global population and our place in it changes fairly rapidly. It is a mistake for youth to feel that elders have nothing to teach them because of a varied perception on the world, but it happens often.
MrJaydawger 6 months ago