'Necessity' by Jeffrey Harrison
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John Clare
wrote poems
on scraps
of paper,
erased them
with bread
he ate
afterwards.
When he ran
out of scraps
he wrote
in his hat.
When he ran
out of bread
he ate
grass.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Necessity: An Exploration of Jeffrey Harrison’s Classic Poem
When reading a poem, it is easy to become lost in its intricacies and subtle nuances. The reader may find themselves captivated by the imagery, the language, the meter, and the rhyme scheme. But what if a poem was more than just a collection of words and poetic devices? What if it was a reflection of the human condition, a commentary on society, or a philosophical inquiry?
Jeffrey Harrison’s poem “Necessity” is one such work. At first glance, it appears to be a simple description of a mundane task – washing dishes. However, upon closer examination, it becomes apparent that the poem is much more than that. It is an exploration of the human need for order and control, and the ways in which we use routine tasks to cope with the chaos of life.
The Mundane Becomes Profound
The poem begins with a description of the speaker washing dishes:
“All morning I have been
standing here stirring soap
in water, plunging my hands
in and out of the hot suds,
singing old songs,
laughing at the memory
of a fight I had last night...”
At first, the language is plain and unadorned, and the images are commonplace. However, the use of the present tense and the repetition of the verb “washing” create a sense of continuity, as if the speaker has been doing this task for some time. It is not until the third stanza that the poem begins to reveal its deeper meaning:
“But all the while
I am thinking
of my mother,
who taught me to do this,
and how, when she died,
I felt I had lost
the last of her,
until I remembered
this was something
she had held in her hands.”
Here, the speaker’s thoughts turn to his mother, and the act of washing dishes becomes a symbolic gesture of connection to her. The ordinariness of the task is transformed into something profound and meaningful. The washing of dishes becomes a ritual, a way of remembering and honoring someone who is no longer present.
The Need for Order
The poem continues with a description of the speaker’s thoughts as he washes the dishes:
“And still I am washing,
trying to bring order
to the chaos of plates
and cups, knives and forks,
even as I know
this is futile,
that the entropy
of the universe
is only increasing.”
Here, the speaker acknowledges the futility of his task. The universe is chaotic and disorderly, and no amount of dishwashing can change that. However, he continues to wash the dishes, trying to impose some semblance of order on the chaos around him. This need for order is a fundamental part of the human experience. We are constantly seeking to control our environment, to make sense of the world around us.
Coping with Chaos
The final stanza of the poem brings these themes together:
“But here, at least,
I can do something
to hold off the night,
the coming dark
I fear will swallow me
one day, not long
from now, when I am
no longer young,
and life seems
nothing but loss.”
The act of washing dishes becomes a way of coping with the fears and anxieties of life. It is a way of holding off the darkness, of staving off the inevitable loss and decay that come with age. By creating order in the small things, we can find a sense of control in a world that is often beyond our control.
A Personal Connection
As a reader, I was struck by the personal nature of this poem. It is clear that the speaker is drawing on his own experiences, and the emotions he expresses are universal. The need for order, the fear of loss, the desire for connection – these are all feelings that we can relate to on a personal level.
At the same time, the poem speaks to broader themes and ideas. It is a commentary on the human condition, on our search for meaning and purpose in a chaotic world. It is a reminder that the small things in life can have profound significance.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, Jeffrey Harrison’s poem “Necessity” is a powerful exploration of the human need for order and control, and the ways in which we use routine tasks to cope with the chaos of life. Through its plain language and simple images, the poem reveals deep emotions and universal truths. It is a reminder that the small things in life can have profound significance, and that even in the face of loss and decay, we can find moments of connection and meaning.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Necessity: A Poem of Reflection and Acceptance
Jeffrey Harrison's poem, Necessity, is a powerful and thought-provoking piece that explores the concept of necessity and its role in our lives. Through vivid imagery and introspective language, Harrison takes us on a journey of self-discovery and acceptance, inviting us to reflect on the things we cannot change and find peace in the inevitability of life.
The poem begins with a description of a tree, standing tall and proud, its branches reaching towards the sky. The tree is a symbol of strength and resilience, a reminder that even in the face of adversity, we can find the courage to stand firm. However, as the poem progresses, we realize that the tree is also a metaphor for the inevitability of change and the passing of time. The tree's leaves fall to the ground, its bark cracks and peels away, and eventually, it too will wither and die.
This theme of impermanence and the transience of life is a recurring motif throughout the poem. Harrison reminds us that everything in life is temporary, and that we must learn to accept this fact and find meaning in the present moment. He writes, "The leaves fall, each one a moment / we've been given, then forgotten, / as if it never had been." This line is a poignant reminder that life is fleeting, and that we must cherish every moment we have, for it will soon be gone.
The poem also explores the idea of necessity and the role it plays in our lives. Harrison suggests that there are certain things in life that are beyond our control, and that we must learn to accept them as necessary. He writes, "The tree must lose its leaves, / the branch, its limb, / the trunk, its heartwood / to become what it is." This line is a powerful metaphor for the sacrifices we must make in order to grow and evolve as individuals. Sometimes, we must let go of the things we hold dear in order to make room for new growth and change.
Harrison also touches on the theme of acceptance and the importance of coming to terms with our own mortality. He writes, "We must learn to love / the dying as much as the living, / to hold on to what we have / while we have it." This line is a reminder that life is precious, and that we must learn to appreciate every moment we have with the people we love. We must also learn to accept the inevitability of death, and find peace in the knowledge that our time on this earth is limited.
The poem concludes with a powerful message of hope and resilience. Harrison writes, "The tree stands, / stripped of its leaves, / but not its dignity, / still reaching for the sky." This line is a reminder that even in the face of adversity and loss, we can find the strength to persevere. We may lose the things we hold dear, but we can still stand tall and proud, and continue to reach for the sky.
In conclusion, Jeffrey Harrison's poem, Necessity, is a powerful and thought-provoking piece that explores the themes of impermanence, acceptance, and resilience. Through vivid imagery and introspective language, Harrison invites us to reflect on the things we cannot change and find peace in the inevitability of life. The poem is a reminder that life is precious, and that we must learn to appreciate every moment we have with the people we love. We must also learn to accept the inevitability of death, and find hope and resilience in the face of adversity.
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