'Still' by A.R. Ammons
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I said I will find what is lowly
and put the roots of my identity
down there:
each day I'll wake up
and find the lowly nearby,
a handy focus and reminder,
a ready measure of my significance,
the voice by which I would be heard,
the wills, the kinds of selfishness
I could
freely adopt as my own:
but though I have looked everywhere,
I can find nothing
to give myself to:
everything is
magnificent with existence, is in
surfeit of glory:
nothing is diminished,
nothing has been diminished for me:
I said what is more lowly than the grass:
ah, underneath,
a ground-crust of dry-burnt moss:
I looked at it closely
and said this can be my habitat: but
nestling in I
found
below the brown exterior
green mechanisms beyond the intellect
awaiting resurrection in rain: so I got up
and ran saying there is nothing lowly in the universe:
I found a beggar:
he had stumps for legs: nobody was paying
him any attention: everybody went on by:
I nestled in and found his life:
there, love shook his body like a devastation:
I said
though I have looked everywhere
I can find nothing lowly
in the universe:
I whirled though transfigurations up and down,
transfigurations of size and shape and place:
at one sudden point came still,
stood in wonder:
moss, beggar, weed, tick, pine, self, magnificent
with being!
Editor 1 Interpretation
A.R. Ammons' "Still": A Critical Interpretation
If there is a poem that deserves to be read and understood by everyone, it is A.R. Ammons' "Still." In this masterpiece, Ammons manages to capture the essence of life, death, and everything in between in a way that is both powerful and moving. In this critical interpretation, we will explore the many layers of meaning in "Still" and explain why it is such an important piece of literature.
Background
Before diving into the poem itself, it is crucial to understand the context in which it was written. A.R. Ammons was an American poet who lived from 1926 to 2001. He was known for his unique style, which often included long, sprawling lines that meandered through different images and ideas. Despite this, Ammons was also a master of concision, and he was able to convey complex emotions and ideas in just a few well-chosen words.
"Still" was written in 1965, at a time when Ammons was going through a difficult period in his life. He had recently lost his mother, and he was struggling to come to terms with the idea of mortality. In this poem, he confronts the inevitability of death head-on and tries to find some solace in the fact that life goes on, even after we are gone.
The Poem
"Still" is a short poem, consisting of just six lines. Here is the text of the poem in full:
Still I said I will find what is lowly and put the roots of my identity down there: each day I'll wake up and find the lowly nearby, a handy focus and reminder, a ready measure of my significance,
At first glance, the poem may seem somewhat cryptic and difficult to understand. However, upon closer inspection, it becomes clear that there are several key themes at play here.
Theme 1: Mortality
The most obvious theme in "Still" is mortality. Ammons is clearly grappling with the idea that one day he too will die, and he is trying to find a way to make peace with this fact. The phrase "find what is lowly" suggests that he is looking for something humble and unassuming, perhaps a way of grounding himself in the face of his own mortality.
This idea is reinforced by the next line, which speaks of putting "the roots of my identity / down there." The word "roots" implies something deep and permanent, and by putting them down in something lowly and humble, Ammons is trying to create a sense of stability and continuity in the face of his own impermanence.
Theme 2: Significance
Another important theme in "Still" is significance. Ammons is trying to find a way to measure his own importance in the world, and he seems to have found a solution in the idea of focusing on the lowly.
The phrase "a ready measure of my significance" suggests that Ammons sees something valuable in the humble and unassuming. Perhaps he believes that by focusing on what is small and insignificant, he can better appreciate the larger world around him. Or maybe he is simply trying to find a way to feel important in a world that can often make us feel small and insignificant.
Theme 3: Continuity
Finally, "Still" is also about continuity. Despite the fact that we will all one day die, life itself goes on, and Ammons seems to find some comfort in this fact. The phrase "each day I'll wake up / and find the lowly nearby" suggests that there is always something new to discover, even in the most mundane of places.
This idea is reinforced by the final line of the poem, which speaks of the lowly as a "handy focus and reminder." Despite the fact that we are mortal and will one day be gone, the lowly serves as a constant reminder of our place in the world and our connection to the larger universe.
Interpretation
So what does all of this mean? At its core, "Still" is a poem about finding meaning and significance in a world that can often seem chaotic and meaningless. Ammons is trying to make sense of his own mortality, and he does so by focusing on what is small and humble. By doing so, he is able to create a sense of continuity and stability in the face of impermanence.
The poem can also be read as a meditation on the beauty of the mundane. Ammons is suggesting that there is something valuable and important in the world around us, even in the most unassuming of places. By finding the lowly nearby, he is able to appreciate the beauty and complexity of the world in a way that he might not have been able to otherwise.
Finally, "Still" can be seen as a call to action. Ammons is encouraging us to find our own roots in the world, to put down deep and permanent roots in something humble and unassuming. By doing so, we can create a sense of significance and meaning in our own lives, even in the face of our own mortality.
Conclusion
In conclusion, A.R. Ammons' "Still" is a powerful and moving poem about mortality, significance, and continuity. It is a call to action, encouraging us to find meaning and purpose in the world around us, even in the most unassuming of places. By exploring the many layers of meaning in this poem, we can better understand ourselves and our place in the world, and find solace in the fact that life goes on, even after we are gone.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Still by A.R. Ammons is a classic poem that has been celebrated for its simplicity and depth. The poem is a reflection on the beauty and stillness of nature, and the way it can inspire us to find peace and tranquility in our own lives. In this analysis, we will explore the themes and motifs of the poem, as well as the literary devices used by the author to convey his message.
The poem begins with the speaker observing a small pond, which is described as "still" and "quiet". The use of these words immediately sets the tone for the poem, which is one of calmness and serenity. The speaker then goes on to describe the various elements of the pond, such as the "water lilies" and the "cattails". These details help to create a vivid image in the reader's mind, and also serve to emphasize the beauty of the natural world.
As the poem progresses, the speaker begins to reflect on the deeper meaning of the pond and its surroundings. He notes that "the stillness is not the absence of sound", but rather a "preparation for deeper listening". This line is particularly powerful, as it suggests that the stillness of nature can help us to tune out the distractions of the world and focus on what is truly important. It also suggests that there is a deeper meaning to be found in the natural world, if we are willing to take the time to listen.
The theme of stillness is further explored in the second stanza, where the speaker notes that "the stillness is not the absence of motion". This line is significant because it suggests that even in the midst of stillness, there is still movement and activity. This is a powerful metaphor for life, as it suggests that even when things appear to be calm on the surface, there is still a lot going on beneath the surface. This is a reminder that we should not take things at face value, but rather look deeper to find the true meaning.
The third stanza of the poem is perhaps the most powerful, as it contains the central message of the poem. The speaker notes that "the stillness is not the absence or after-math of violence". This line is significant because it suggests that the stillness of nature is not a result of the absence of conflict, but rather a result of the way that conflict is resolved. This is a powerful message, as it suggests that we can find peace and stillness in our own lives, even in the midst of conflict and turmoil. It also suggests that conflict is not necessarily a bad thing, as long as it is resolved in a peaceful and constructive manner.
The final stanza of the poem is a reflection on the beauty of the natural world, and the way that it can inspire us to find peace and tranquility in our own lives. The speaker notes that "the pond is still and beautiful, because it is alive". This line is significant because it suggests that the beauty of nature is not just a result of its stillness, but also a result of its vitality and energy. This is a powerful reminder that we should not just seek stillness and peace in our lives, but also embrace the energy and vitality that comes with being alive.
In terms of literary devices, Still makes use of several key techniques to convey its message. One of the most notable is the use of repetition, particularly in the first stanza. The repeated use of the word "still" helps to create a sense of calmness and serenity, and also emphasizes the central theme of the poem. The use of metaphor is also significant, particularly in the second and third stanzas. The metaphor of stillness as a preparation for deeper listening is particularly powerful, as it suggests that there is a deeper meaning to be found in the natural world if we are willing to take the time to listen.
Overall, Still by A.R. Ammons is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that celebrates the beauty and stillness of nature, and the way it can inspire us to find peace and tranquility in our own lives. Through its use of vivid imagery, powerful metaphors, and repetition, the poem conveys a message that is both simple and profound. It is a reminder that even in the midst of conflict and turmoil, we can find stillness and peace if we are willing to look deeper and listen more closely.
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