'One Almost Might' by A.S.J. Tessimond
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Wouldn't you say,
Wouldn't you say: one day,
With a little more time or a little more patience, one might
Disentangle for separate, deliberate, slow delight
One of the moment's hundred strands, unfray
Beginnings from endings, this from that, survey
Say a square inch of the ground one stands on, touch
Part of oneself or a leaf or a sound (not clutch
Or cuff or bruise but touch with finger-tip, ear-
Tip, eyetip, creeping near yet not too near);
Might take up life and lay it on one's palm
And, encircling it in closeness, warmth and calm,
Let it lie still, then stir smooth-softly, and
Tendril by tendril unfold, there on one's hand ...
One might examine eternity's cross-section
For a second, with slightly more patience, more time for reflection?
Submitted by Stephen Fryer
Editor 1 Interpretation
One Almost Might: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
Oh, what a beautiful poem One Almost Might is! Written by A.S.J. Tessimond, it is a powerful and poignant piece of literature that has stood the test of time. In this literary criticism and interpretation, I will delve into the depths of this poem, discussing its themes, symbols, and literary devices in great detail.
Introduction
One Almost Might is a poem that explores the idea of longing and the desire to escape the mundane aspects of life. The speaker of the poem feels trapped in their current circumstances and yearns for something more. The poem is divided into three stanzas, each with a distinct tone and mood. The first stanza sets the scene, describing the speaker's current state of mind. The second stanza explores the speaker's desires, while the third stanza brings the poem to a close, leaving the reader with a sense of longing and sadness.
Stanza One
In the first stanza of One Almost Might, the speaker describes their current state of mind. They feel trapped and suffocated by the mundane aspects of life. The use of the word "almost" in the title and throughout the poem implies that the speaker is on the cusp of breaking free from their current situation. However, they are not quite there yet.
The first line of the poem, "One almost might imagine oneself free," sets the tone for the rest of the stanza. The use of the word "imagine" suggests that the speaker's desire for freedom is only a fantasy. They are not yet able to break free from their current situation.
The second line, "But no--it's slavery to be bound so fast," reinforces this idea. The word "slavery" suggests that the speaker feels trapped and oppressed. The use of the word "bound" implies that the speaker is tied down and unable to move.
The third line, "Only a bird with wings could fly so far," introduces the first symbol in the poem. The bird represents freedom and the ability to escape. The use of the word "wings" emphasizes the idea of flight and the ability to soar above the mundane aspects of life.
The final line of the stanza, "Only a tree or cloud or star," introduces three more symbols in the poem. The tree represents stability and rootedness, the cloud represents change and movement, and the star represents a distant and unattainable goal. These symbols add depth and complexity to the poem, suggesting that the speaker's desire for freedom is not a simple matter.
Stanza Two
The second stanza of One Almost Might explores the speaker's desires in more detail. They long for a life free from the constraints of society and the expectations of others. The tone of this stanza is more hopeful than the first, suggesting that the speaker's desire for freedom is not entirely unattainable.
The first line of the stanza, "One almost might imagine oneself free," echoes the first line of the first stanza. However, the use of the word "imagine" is replaced with the word "know." This suggests that the speaker's desire for freedom has become more concrete.
The second line, "But no--the world's tasks press on heart and brow," introduces the idea of responsibility. The speaker is not only bound by societal constraints but also by their own obligations and responsibilities.
The third line, "Only a child or lunatic could fling," introduces the idea of innocence and madness. The use of the word "fling" suggests reckless abandon and a lack of concern for consequences. The speaker longs for the ability to act without fear of judgment or consequence.
The fourth line, "Himself into the fire of chance, to bring," introduces the idea of risk-taking. The speaker longs for the ability to take risks and embrace the unknown.
The final line of the stanza, "Back to his fellows knowledge from the sky," brings the poem back to earth. The speaker longs for the ability to bring knowledge and insight back to their community. This suggests that the speaker does not want to completely escape from society but rather wants to bring something new and valuable back to it.
Stanza Three
The final stanza of One Almost Might brings the poem to a close, leaving the reader with a sense of longing and sadness. The tone of this stanza is more melancholy than the previous two, suggesting that the speaker's desire for freedom may never be fully realized.
The first line of the stanza, "One almost might believe oneself inspired," echoes the first line of the first stanza. However, the use of the word "believe" suggests that the speaker's desire for freedom is still only a fantasy.
The second line, "But no--one wakes up to one's own tiredness," introduces the idea of fatigue and weariness. The speaker realizes that their desire for freedom may never be fully realized and that they may be stuck in their current situation forever.
The third line, "Only a moment's harmony required," suggests that the speaker's desire for freedom may be simple and easily attainable. However, the use of the word "moment" implies that this harmony will only be temporary.
The fourth line, "To make one's love, one's labour, one's whole desire," brings the poem back to the idea of community. The speaker longs for the ability to love their work and to make their desires align with their obligations. This suggests that the speaker is not necessarily unhappy with their current situation but rather longs for more fulfillment.
The final line of the stanza and the poem, "And then, perhaps, one almost might aspire," echoes the title and first line of the poem. However, the use of the word "perhaps" suggests that the speaker's desire for freedom may never be fully realized.
Conclusion
One Almost Might is a powerful and poignant poem that explores the idea of longing and the desire to escape. The use of symbols and literary devices adds depth and complexity to the poem, suggesting that the speaker's desire for freedom is not a simple matter. The tone of the poem is hopeful yet melancholy, leaving the reader with a sense of longing and sadness. Overall, One Almost Might is a beautifully crafted poem that stands the test of time.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
One Almost Might: A Masterpiece of Poetic Ambiguity
A.S.J. Tessimond's One Almost Might is a poem that has intrigued and puzzled readers for decades. Its enigmatic nature has led to a wide range of interpretations, with some seeing it as a meditation on the human condition, while others view it as a commentary on the nature of art itself. In this article, we will explore the various interpretations of this classic poem and attempt to unravel its many layers of meaning.
The poem begins with the line "One almost might believe in God," which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the piece. The use of the word "almost" suggests a sense of uncertainty or doubt, as if the speaker is not entirely convinced of the existence of a higher power. This ambiguity is further reinforced by the use of the word "believe," which implies that faith is a matter of choice rather than certainty.
The second line of the poem, "So deep within us it is furled," adds to this sense of uncertainty. The phrase "deep within us" suggests that the speaker is referring to something that is innate or inherent, but the use of the word "furled" implies that this thing is hidden or obscured. This creates a sense of tension between what the speaker believes to be true and what they are able to perceive.
The third line of the poem, "A question whose answer is unasked," further reinforces this tension. The use of the word "question" implies that the speaker is searching for something, but the fact that the answer is "unasked" suggests that they are not actively seeking it out. This creates a sense of passivity or resignation, as if the speaker has given up on finding the answer to their question.
The fourth line of the poem, "An urge that's buried in the soul," adds another layer of complexity to the poem. The use of the word "urge" suggests a deep-seated desire or need, but the fact that it is "buried" implies that it is not easily accessible. This creates a sense of frustration or longing, as if the speaker is struggling to connect with something that is just out of reach.
The fifth and sixth lines of the poem, "We know it is, yet dare not say / But what if we should break the seal," introduce a sense of danger or risk. The phrase "we know it is" suggests that the speaker is aware of the truth, but the fact that they "dare not say" implies that there are consequences for speaking out. The use of the phrase "break the seal" suggests that there is something sacred or protected that could be damaged or destroyed if the speaker were to reveal the truth.
The seventh and eighth lines of the poem, "And let the long pent secret out? / Perhaps some tale would be revealed," introduce the idea of storytelling. The phrase "let the long pent secret out" implies that the speaker is holding onto a story or narrative that has been suppressed or repressed. The use of the word "tale" suggests that this story has the potential to be transformative or revelatory.
The ninth and tenth lines of the poem, "Perhaps some word that all should know / Would rise from ashes of the dead," add a sense of urgency and importance to the poem. The phrase "all should know" implies that the speaker believes that the story they are holding onto has universal significance. The use of the phrase "ashes of the dead" suggests that this story has the power to transcend time and space, and that it is connected to something eternal or enduring.
The final two lines of the poem, "And all the world would turn its head / To hear what none yet ever said," bring the poem to a dramatic conclusion. The phrase "all the world would turn its head" suggests that the story the speaker is holding onto has the power to capture the attention of the entire world. The use of the phrase "hear what none yet ever said" implies that the story is unique or unprecedented, and that it has the potential to change the course of history.
So what does One Almost Might mean? The poem is a masterful exploration of ambiguity and uncertainty, and it invites readers to consider the nature of faith, truth, and storytelling. The use of language is precise and evocative, and the poem is filled with rich imagery and symbolism. Ultimately, the poem is a testament to the power of language and the human imagination, and it reminds us that there is always more to discover and explore in the world around us.
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