On page 221, Hirshfield says something extremely intriguing (and quite simple). "To speak, and to write, is to assert who we are, what we think."
For me, I have always viewed poetry as the opportunity to "spill oneself" without any fear or danger. With this chapter, the idea of threshold and being able to spill myself more was challenged. I felt like at times Hirshfield was calling me, and some poets I've read, by covering up oneself instead of getting to the threshold of life. Going forward, I would love to implement more of what Hirshfield is talking about. Hirshfield talks about being transparent on page 224 and I think I have a tendency to think poetry should be flowery or tip-toe, but I would love to challenge myself by going the extra mile and being a bit more straightforward.
Hi Bijan! I also loved the simple and intriguing line of “to speak and to write, is to assert who we are, and what we think. I think this chapter was very challenging just because like you said when you view poetry you think about spilling oneself, almost like just writing whatever and calling it a poem! I really enjoyed your post.
Hi Bijan, I found your response really enlightening. Hirshfield's words about the threshold of life through poetry really click after reading your interpretation. I also felt perhaps I could be pushing the envelope more after reading this chapter. Perhaps there is a personal line I haven't crossed poetically that I'm now beginning to notice. Especially when I recognized one of my favorite poems, When I Heard the Learned Astronomer, in this chapter. Hirshfield's interpretation and focus on what's 'permitted' in reference to this poem and the threshold solidified this thought about going deeper.
Hey Bijan! I really relate to what you said about feeling like Hirshfield called you out a bit in this chapter. I've relied on humor, or writing from the POV of other people, or just dancing around more "serious" or "intense" topics because it takes a lot of courage to write about those things and let others read it. I definitely want to be better about that going forward as well. Not to say humor can't be used at all, but definitely recognizing when I'm actually using it to be funny vs. when I'm using it to hide myself.
Hey, Bijan, hope you're doing well. I'm curious what precisely you mean by being more straightforward. Do you just mean in terms of prose, meaning, indirection? What does that mean specifically? What does that path forward look like, and how do you cultivate that idea into yourself and your writing?