It has become quite astonishing to me when reading poems
from poets like Carl Sandburg (“Fog” or “Grass”)
and William Carlos Williams (“This is Just to Say” or “The Red Wheelbarrow”)
that so few words can hold so much meaning.
Meanings which can be left up to the reader to interpret any way one
feels. Is there a right or wrong
interpretation?
Perhaps there is from the grading standpoint in a classroom setting. But for the everyday reader, I don’t believe so. To be able to take someone’s words and dissect those into smaller pieces to find the deeper meaning can be challenging to anyone. And right or wrong, so long as you have taken that time to look for the deeper meaning is the most fulfilling feeling one can have. I wonder what it would have been like to be there watching these poets create these insightful pieces, was it easy, did they struggle or did it simple flow from their thoughts, to their pens and onto the paper.
Perhaps there is from the grading standpoint in a classroom setting. But for the everyday reader, I don’t believe so. To be able to take someone’s words and dissect those into smaller pieces to find the deeper meaning can be challenging to anyone. And right or wrong, so long as you have taken that time to look for the deeper meaning is the most fulfilling feeling one can have. I wonder what it would have been like to be there watching these poets create these insightful pieces, was it easy, did they struggle or did it simple flow from their thoughts, to their pens and onto the paper.
I agree with you that there is no right or wrong interpretation with regard to poetry. I think that the author probably has an intention, but since we are all different, and understand the world differently, we will each interpret things in a unique way. I love poetry for this very reason. I was thinking about this when I was reading the responses to the "My Papa's Waltz" discussion board. You can take words, and craft from them something that you feel is correct, only to see that the rest of the class has come to an entirely different conclusion. It's so interesting! It is so fulfilling to really dissect a poem and discover what you think the poet is saying.
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