This week I am continuing my celebration of National Poetry Month by posting a gaggle of favorites.
A gaggle is a term of venery for a flock of geese that is not in flight; in flight, the group can be called a skein. A gaggle is equal to at least five geese.
A gaggle is also equal to eight fifty pound bags of salt. Usually one layer on a skid.
In military slang, a gaggle is an unorganized group doing nothing. In aviation, it is a large, loosely organized tactical formation of aircraft.
Based on this Wikipedia definition, I conjectured that a gaggle of poetry consists of exactly four poems in a loose tactical formation. 🙂
I have included links to what I hope is helpful analysis if you are interested. Enjoy!
1. “The Brain–is wider than the sky” by Emily Dickinson
This is a lovely poem about the vastness of our minds and inner worlds. I like the analysis of blogger ritzala.
The Brain — is wider than the Sky —
For — put them side by side —
The one the other will contain
With ease — and You — beside —The Brain is deeper than the sea —
For — hold them — Blue to Blue —
The one the other will absorb —
As Sponges — Buckets — do —The Brain is just the weight of God —
For — Heft them — Pound for Pound —
And they will differ — if they do —
As Syllable from Sound —
2. “Constantly Risking Absurdity” by Lawrence Ferlinghetti
This is an interesting poem about writing poetry. I like the analysis provided by jhamann on hubpages.
Constantly risking absurdityand deathwhenever he performsabove the headsof his audiencethe poet like an acrobatclimbs on rimeto a high wire of his own makingand balancing on eyebeamsabove a sea of facespaces his wayto the other side of dayperforming entrechatsand sleight-of-foot tricksand other high theatricsand all without mistakingany thingfor what it may not beFor he’s the super realistwho must perforce perceivetaut truthbefore the taking of each stance or stepin his supposed advancetoward that still higher perchwhere Beauty stands and waitswith gravityto start her death-defying leapAnd hea little charleychaplin manwho may or may not catchher fair eternal formspreadeagled in the empty airof existence
3. “Women” by May Swenson
This is one of my favorite poems about women actively choosing who they will be and how they will and will not relate to men.
Whether or not you agree with the sardonic view and feminism of the poem, it raises a lot of important considerations about identity and purpose. The notion of exploitation is a universal one to which just about anyone can relate.
I like the analysis provided by SuperItchy.com.
Women Or theyshould be should bepedestals little horsesmoving those woodenpedestals sweetmoving oldfashionedto the paintedmotions rockingof men horsesthe gladdest things in the toyroomThe feelinglypegs and thenof their unfeelinglyears To beso familiar joyfullyand dear riddento the trusting rockinglyfists ridden untilTo be chafed the restoredegos dismount and the legs stride awayImmobile willingsweetlipped to be setsturdy into motionand smiling Womenwomen should beshould always pedestalsbe waiting to men
4. “i thank You God for most this amazing” by e. e. cummings
Completing my gaggle is this gem, in celebration of all the effervescent springtime writer walkabouts I’ve been enjoying. This one’s pretty straight-forward so instead of a link to analysis, here is a cool choral rendition of the poem for your ears.
i thank You God for most this amazing
day: for the leaping greenly spirits of trees
and a blue true dream of sky; and for everything
which is natural which is infinite which is yes(i who have died am alive again today,
and this is the sun’s birthday; this is the birth
day of life and of love and wings: and of the gay
great happening illimitably earth)how should tasting touching hearing seeing
breathing any–lifted from the no
of all nothing–human merely being
doubt unimaginable You?(now the ears of my ears awake and
now the eyes of my eyes are opened)
Again, if you write poetry please post a link as I’d love to read it. Have a wonderful week!