Keeping Things Whole - Poem by Mark Strand

Rajnish Manga (1/23/2018 9:56:00 PM)

I have enjoyed reading this fine piece of poetry yet again. The profoundness of the subject inspired me to translate it in Hindi way back- on Dec 5,2016. Thanks. (Report) Reply

Savita Tyagi (1/23/2018 8:05:00 PM)

This I wether He parts the air or moves us is certainly the One whole in itself and keeps the field whole too. Enjoyed this excellent poetic intake of Upanishadic philosophy. (Report) Reply

Susan Williams (1/23/2018 4:20:00 PM)

I like this even more than I liked it when I first commented on it. Teaches us how simple words can carry an impressive impact and meaningfulness. (Report) Reply

Glen Kappy (1/23/2018 6:56:00 AM)

I wonder what, if any, applications Strand had in mind beyond the literal meaning of this poem. -GK (Report) Reply

Fabrizio Frosini (5/28/2016 6:29:00 AM)

in Italian:

'Tenere le cose insieme'

In un campo
Io sono l'assenza
del campo.
E'
sempre così.
Ovunque io sia
Sono ciò che manca.

Quando cammino
sposto e separo l'aria
e sempre
l'aria rientra
a riempire lo spazio
che il mio corpo occupava.

Tutti noi abbiamo motivi
per spostarci.
Io mi muovo
per tenere le cose insieme. (Report) Reply

Rajnish Manga (5/12/2016 2:55:00 AM)

The poem tries to justify the rationale behind what we are and why we are. Enjoyed reading this philosophical poem. Thanks. (Report) Reply

Susan Williams (10/27/2015 3:16:00 PM)

He both believes in keeping it simple [simple words, simple phrases, no meter, no rhyme], and making it as deep and surreal and overflowing with meaning as possible. It's like he has a split personality... come to think about it, so do we all. (Report) Reply

Edward Kofi Louis (10/27/2015 7:46:00 AM)

Spaces! Aces; with the muse of life. Nice piece. (Report) Reply

John Richter (10/27/2015 7:02:00 AM)

Deeply profound! This poem certainly went through me - not around me! (Report) Reply

Dylan Charles (10/27/2015 5:32:00 AM)

It is there when I am not, leaving your mark on a world that hints at your passing
Superb (Report) Reply

Jasbir Chatterjee (10/27/2015 4:56:00 AM)

Whether we move or don't move, nature always has its own ways of balancing out things and keeping them whole. (Report) Reply

Amos Mahonisi (10/27/2015 4:27:00 AM)

this is one of the greatest poems, written by great writes (Report) Reply

Babatunde Aremu (10/27/2015 3:59:00 AM)

Great write! Yes, there are reasons for every step we take. Our movement should be to make and not to mar. (Report) Reply

Seema Jayaraman (10/27/2015 2:37:00 AM)

Profound...When I walk
I part the air
and always
the air moves in
to fill the spaces
where my body's been.. Nature works so hard to keep things whole.. thanks for sharing (Report) Reply

Savita Tyagi (10/27/2015 1:45:00 AM)

Defining what can't be defined! Poetry at its best. (Report) Reply

Rahman Henry (10/27/2015 1:08:00 AM)

Excellent thought. Indeed, poetry is the beauty of thought. (Report) Reply

Smoky Hoss (7/11/2015 10:12:00 AM)

The fullness of absence; things are best known, most felt when they are absent, or appear to be. Beautiful, as always, poetry. (Report) Reply