leonardcohenforum.com

The Poem Fails


The poem fails
It cannot render traction
Or the queer zero,
Rehearse location
Or mine gravity.

Panic & lapse
Immune to weak forces
Arise on threads of absence
In mechanical waves,
Muted by observation
& uncertain rules
In the chamber of bias.

An adumbration transpires.
Wanton longing. Dimension
Flattened & tamped.

Hi Jonnie ~

I don't know what to say to this because I'm not understanding it.
Will return to try it again, though.

~ L

Hi Lizzie ~ it's an attempt to illuminate how observations of quantum physics produce a slippery version of the world. Effects are observed that imply rather than produce faithful representations of reality. And it compares this to the poetic process... how it produces sketches of what is meant but often fails to produce what the poet originally intended. Your response was pleasing, because it illustrates the irony of the title too! Thanks for looking at my stuff. I always check out your forum contributions! Love and best wishes ~ Jonnie

Oh, I feel so much better, Jonnie.
Quantum physics... I believe that's the realm where it's purported that the very act of observation created an exchange of atoms/ions[?] that affects its original nature, and therefore what you're observing is no longer what it was prior to your observation. That seems to fit with what you're saying, too... including the slippery effects that accompany the poem, as well.

Ha... yeah, it does underscore the title doesn't it.
A double entendre of perception.

And, yes, I always check out yours, too, even if I don't comment.
Thanks


~ Lizzie