Imitation #5(Poetry of the 90's)

Endless Journey – Mary Barnet

http://www.marybarnet.com/a1990s.htm

“But, if I must speak, my years will say
Do not rely on pleasures of the flesh;
Less on affairs of the heart.
Create what you can
But do not be disappointed by your losses;
For what some men and women have lost is great.

The most precious thing you have is your soul,
And the dignity with which you pass on
To those who come after
Your knowledge of the value of life and love
And above all, humanity's vision and age's realization
Of the absolute tyranny of Time.”

In this poem, Mary Barnet ponders some of the downfalls of human behavior and offers a bit of advice for the reader’s future.  The poem doesn’t really follow a structure; it doesn’t have end rhymes nor does it have any consistent pattern.  It’s littered with literal meaning, pun intended.  The section I chose is longer than eight lines, but the two stanzas are equally thought provoking and powerful.  Since there isn’t really a structure or many literal elements in the poem, I will critique it through its context and how it relates to the present.  I love that she says, “do not rely on pleasures of the flesh.”  It is a truth that is said all too little in modern American society.  Right now, peer pressures to engage in misogyny and use drugs swallow up young people.  Since I abstain from either, I’m sick of it being such a prevalent part of my life and being shoved in my face everywhere I go.  Later in the same stanza, she offers uplifting words when saying, “do not be disappointed by your losses, for what some men and women have lost is great.”  It’s a good way to look at life for those who don’t feel so blessed, but are in a better state than they may think.  The last stanza is also very interesting.  Taking the first line on its own actually takes away from its full meaning.  The full meaning of the last stanza is that time has no remorse or mercy; it stops for no one.  Therefore, the most important thing you can do is pass on your unbiased knowledge and blessings to those who come after you.