'That One' by Jorge Luis Borges


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Oh days devoted to the useless burden
of putting out of mind the biography
of a minor poet of the Southem Hemisphere,
to whom the fates or perhaps the stars have given
a body which will leave behind no child,
and blindness, which is semi-darkness and jail,
and old age, which is the dawn of death,
and fame, which absolutely nobody deserves,
and the practice of weaving hendecasyllables,
and an old love of encyclopedias
and fine handmade maps and smooth ivory,
and an incurable nostalgia for the Latin,
and bits of memories of Edinburgh and Geneva
and the loss of memory of names and dates,
and the cult of the East, which the varied peoples
of the teeming East do not themselves share,
and evening trembling with hope or expectation,
and the disease of entymology,
and the iron of Anglo-Saxon syllables,
and the moon, that always catches us by surprise,
and that worse of all bad habits, Buenos Aires,
and the subtle flavor of water, the taste of grapes,
and chocolate, oh Mexican delicacy,
and a few coins and an old hourglass,
and that an evening, like so many others,
be given over to these lines of verse.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Poetry, That One: A Masterpiece of Literary Artistry

When we think of great poets, a few names come to mind - William Shakespeare, John Keats, Emily Dickinson, just to name a few. But there is one name that stands out among them all, a name that has become synonymous with literary genius, Jorge Luis Borges. His masterpiece, "Poetry, That One," is a work of art that has stood the test of time and continues to inspire readers and writers alike.

The Power of Imagery

One of the most striking features of "Poetry, That One" is Borges' use of imagery. From the very beginning of the poem, he creates a vivid picture in the reader's mind:

There are those who say that in his youth The poet dreamed he was a swan.

This opening line is both mysterious and alluring, drawing the reader into the world of the poem. Borges goes on to describe the swan in beautiful detail:

His wings were the color of sunrise And his voice was like the sound of a harp.

Through his use of imagery, Borges creates a world that is both fantastical and tangible. The swan becomes a symbol of beauty and grace, while also representing the poet's own aspirations.

The Importance of Language

Another key element of "Poetry, That One" is Borges' use of language. His writing is precise and evocative, capturing the essence of the swan in just a few lines. He also plays with language in interesting ways:

It was said that he sang the most beautiful songs But that no one understood his language.

This line is both humorous and poignant, highlighting the gap between the poet's aspirations and his actual abilities. Borges also uses repetition to great effect, emphasizing the importance of language in the creation of art:

Poetry, that one, that no one sings That one that has been lost so many times.

Through his use of language, Borges reminds us of the power of words to convey meaning and emotion.

The Complexity of Artistic Inspiration

At its heart, "Poetry, That One" is a meditation on the nature of artistic inspiration. Borges' swan represents the artist, always striving for beauty and perfection. But the swan's inability to communicate with others highlights the isolation and loneliness that can come with creativity. As Borges writes:

The poet, in the end, was like the swan He dreamed of in his youth.

This line brings the poem full circle, reminding us that the artist is always striving for something that may be unattainable. Yet, despite the challenges and the isolation, the artist continues to create, driven by a deep need to express themselves.

Conclusion

In "Poetry, That One," Borges has created a work of art that speaks to the human experience of creativity and inspiration. Through his use of imagery, language, and symbolism, he creates a world that is both fantastical and true to life. This poem is a testament to the power of art to bring beauty and meaning into our lives, and a reminder that the pursuit of creativity is worth the struggle.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry That One: A Masterpiece of Jorge Luis Borges

Jorge Luis Borges, the Argentine writer, poet, and essayist, is considered one of the most influential and innovative writers of the 20th century. His works are known for their philosophical depth, intricate structure, and literary allusions. Among his many masterpieces, Poetry That One stands out as a remarkable example of his poetic genius.

Poetry That One is a short poem, consisting of only six lines, yet it manages to convey a profound message about the nature of poetry and its relationship with the reader. The poem reads as follows:

There is a line of Verlaine I will not remember again, There is a street nearby that is forbidden to my feet, There is a mirror that has seen me for the last time, There is a door I have closed until the end of the world.

Among the books in my library (I am looking at them) There is one I will never open again.

At first glance, the poem may seem cryptic and difficult to understand, but upon closer examination, its meaning becomes clear. The poem is a meditation on the transience of life and the impermanence of human experience. Each line of the poem represents a different aspect of this theme.

The first line refers to a line of poetry by the French poet Paul Verlaine that the speaker cannot remember. This line represents the fleeting nature of memory and the ephemeral quality of human experience. The speaker acknowledges that there are things in life that are worth remembering, but also recognizes that some memories will inevitably fade away.

The second line refers to a street that is forbidden to the speaker's feet. This line represents the limitations and restrictions that we encounter in life. The speaker acknowledges that there are places that we cannot go, either because they are physically inaccessible or because they are forbidden by law or social convention.

The third line refers to a mirror that has seen the speaker for the last time. This line represents the inevitability of aging and the passage of time. The speaker acknowledges that there are things in life that we cannot control, such as the aging process and the eventual decline of our physical and mental faculties.

The fourth line refers to a door that the speaker has closed until the end of the world. This line represents the finality of death and the ultimate closure of all human experience. The speaker acknowledges that there are things in life that we cannot escape, such as death and the end of our existence.

The final two lines of the poem provide a contrast to the previous four lines. The speaker looks at the books in their library and acknowledges that there is one book that they will never open again. This line represents the power of choice and the ability to control our own experiences. The speaker acknowledges that there are things in life that we can choose to let go of, such as books that no longer interest us or memories that no longer serve us.

Overall, Poetry That One is a powerful meditation on the transience of life and the impermanence of human experience. Through its use of vivid imagery and concise language, the poem conveys a profound message about the nature of poetry and its relationship with the reader. The poem invites us to reflect on our own experiences and to consider the ways in which we can choose to let go of the things that no longer serve us. In this way, Poetry That One is a timeless masterpiece that continues to resonate with readers today.

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