'Some Like Poetry' by Wislawa Szymborska

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Some -
thus not all. Not even the majority of all but the minority.
Not counting schools, where one has to,
and the poets themselves,there might be two people per thousand.Like -
but one also likes chicken soup with noodles,one likes compliments and the color blue,one likes an old scarf,one likes having the upper hand,one likes stroking a dog.Poetry -
but what is poetry.Many shaky answers
have been given to this question.
But I don't know and don't know and hold on to itlike to a sustaining railing.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Some Like Poetry: A Masterpiece of Wistful Irony

Enter Wislawa Szymborska, the Polish Nobel laureate, with her poem "Some Like Poetry."

As the title suggests, Szymborska's poem is about the curious relationship between poetry and its readers. She begins by acknowledging the fact that not everyone likes poetry, let alone understand it, yet at the same time, she also asserts that some do, passionately.

Some like poetry, others prefer potatoes boiled in their jackets, butter, salt.

Some like poetic justice, others prefer an actual trial.

Some like form, others only the word naked, the indiscretion of the living.

(...)

Some like it because it tells them so little. Others because it tells them so much.

The opening lines are a tour de force of poetic irony. Szymborska juxtaposes two seemingly disparate things—poetry and boiled potatoes—and implies that they are equally valid and satisfying to different individuals. While some may scoff at such a comparison, others may find it comforting that art and sustenance can coexist in this world.

The second stanza takes this ironic twist further by contrasting the abstract concept of poetic justice with the mundane reality of an actual trial. Here Szymborska points out the fact that poetry, for all its flights of fancy and moral grandeur, cannot replace the practical demands of justice and accountability.

In the third stanza, Szymborska touches on the age-old debate between form and content in literature. Some readers, she implies, are enamored with the sound and shape of words, while others are drawn to the raw emotion and truth that they convey. This is a debate that has raged among poets and critics for centuries, and Szymborska is wise enough to acknowledge its complexity and ambiguity.

Finally, Szymborska concludes the poem with a brilliant paradox that neatly encapsulates the essence of poetry:

Some like poetry because it has commotion. Others because it has none.

Here Szymborska suggests that poetry can be both a source of agitation and a refuge from it, depending on the reader's mood and temperament. This is a profound insight into the human psyche, which craves both stimulation and tranquility, and which finds both in the art of poetry.

But what makes "Some Like Poetry" such a masterful work of literature is not just its thematic richness, but also its language and form. Szymborska employs a deceptively simple style that masks a deep and subtle wit. Her use of short, staccato lines gives the poem a rhythmic energy that propels the reader forward, while her precise choice of words and images evokes a vivid sense of the world around us.

At the same time, Szymborska also plays with the conventions of poetry, subverting our expectations and challenging our assumptions. For example, she uses enjambment to create unexpected breaks and pauses in the lines, thus disrupting the flow of the poem and forcing us to pay closer attention to each word and phrase. She also uses paradox, irony, and other rhetorical devices to create a sense of tension and surprise.

All in all, "Some Like Poetry" is a masterpiece of wistful irony, a poem that celebrates the joys and sorrows of human existence with equal measures of humor and pathos. Szymborska reminds us that poetry is not just a literary genre, but a way of seeing and experiencing the world, one that can open our eyes and hearts to the beauty and complexity of life.

As a reader, I cannot help but feel a deep admiration for Szymborska's artistry and insight. Her poem is a testament to the power of language to convey the deepest truths of our being, and to the enduring appeal of poetry to move and inspire us. Indeed, "Some Like Poetry" is a work of art that deserves to be read and reread, cherished and celebrated, for generations to come.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry is a form of art that has been around for centuries. It is a way for people to express their emotions, thoughts, and ideas through words. Some people love poetry, while others find it difficult to understand or appreciate. In the poem "Some Like Poetry" by Wislawa Szymborska, the author explores the different attitudes people have towards poetry and what it means to them.

The poem begins with the line "Some like poetry" which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the poem. It suggests that not everyone likes poetry, but there are some who do. The author then goes on to describe the different types of people who like poetry. She says that some people like poetry because it is "the flight of a bird over rooftops," while others like it because it is "the light in the window of a moving train."

These two descriptions are very different, but they both capture the essence of what poetry can be. The flight of a bird over rooftops suggests freedom and beauty, while the light in the window of a moving train suggests movement and change. Poetry can be both of these things and more, depending on the person who is reading it.

The author then goes on to describe other types of people who like poetry. She says that some people like it because it is "the voice of the earth," while others like it because it is "the touch of love on a rainy night." These descriptions are more abstract, but they still capture the essence of what poetry can be. The voice of the earth suggests a connection to nature and the world around us, while the touch of love on a rainy night suggests intimacy and emotion.

The author then goes on to describe the people who do not like poetry. She says that some people do not like it because it is "too difficult," while others do not like it because it is "too easy." These descriptions suggest that people have different reasons for not liking poetry. Some people find it difficult to understand, while others find it too simplistic.

The author then goes on to describe the people who are indifferent to poetry. She says that some people do not like it or dislike it, but they are "indifferent" to it. These people do not see the value in poetry, and they do not understand why others enjoy it.

The poem ends with the line "Some like poetry, some don't." This line sums up the entire poem and suggests that people have different attitudes towards poetry. Some people love it, some people hate it, and some people are indifferent to it. However, the poem also suggests that poetry can be many things to many people. It can be beautiful, emotional, and thought-provoking. It can be difficult or easy to understand. It can be a connection to nature or a connection to other people.

In conclusion, "Some Like Poetry" by Wislawa Szymborska is a beautiful and thought-provoking poem that explores the different attitudes people have towards poetry. The poem suggests that people have different reasons for liking or disliking poetry, but it also suggests that poetry can be many things to many people. It can be beautiful, emotional, and thought-provoking. It can be difficult or easy to understand. It can be a connection to nature or a connection to other people. Ultimately, the poem suggests that poetry is a form of art that has the power to move and inspire people in many different ways.

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