Poetry Explorer


Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

AND MOST OF ALL, I WANNA THANK ?Ǫ, by                 Poet's Biography

John Hollander's "And Most of All, I Wanna Thank ?Ǫ" delves into the intricate relationship between language and its users, exploring the ways in which words can be both patiently awaiting their inevitable misuse and actively engaging in the shaping of meaning. Through a playful yet insightful examination of linguistic nuances, Hollander highlights the dynamic and sometimes contentious nature of language.

The poem opens with an acknowledgment of "Patient language, always waiting to be / Misused, waiting for it." This personification of language as a patient entity sets the stage for the exploration of how words are often twisted and misapplied. The mention of regional dialect differences, such as the Southern usage of "waiting on" versus "awaiting," introduces the idea that language is subject to regional and cultural variations, further complicating its use.

Hollander then contrasts the passive "waiting on" with the active imagery of "bustling about in its black tie / Bringing the latkes or the dolcelatte." This shift from waiting to serving introduces the theme of language as an active participant in communication, performing and delivering meaning. The playful imagery of language in formal attire, serving delicacies, underscores the dual nature of words as both formal and flexible, capable of adapting to various contexts and usages.

The poem's tone shifts as Hollander describes the physicality of language: "The pow! on the jaw with regulation gloves, / The stylized oof! in the midsection, the blort! / Of regurgitation as it all comes home." These vivid descriptions liken language to a boxing match, where words are thrown and received with impact, sometimes causing discomfort or distortion. The "body of the letter being slugged / And all the spirit twisted out of it" suggests that language can be manipulated and drained of its original meaning through misuse and overuse.

Hollander questions the invocation of language: "Why should we so invoke you, anyway," comparing it to a sculptor making plaster casts of tools or carving marble boxes of Kleenex. These metaphors illustrate the act of capturing and preserving the utility of language, suggesting that words, like tools and tissues, are essential and universally needed. The sculptor's work, creating objects of both art and function, parallels the poet's task of crafting language that serves both aesthetic and practical purposes.

The poem then touches on the paradox of language's patience and its mercurial nature: "A swift, mercurial agency we've come to count / On, for turning up the suffering in the act." This duality reflects the power of language to reveal deeper truths and emotions, transforming passive experiences into active expressions of meaning. Hollander suggests that language's strength is mirrored in the world, implying that our use of words shapes our perception of reality.

In the closing lines, Hollander offers a "sort of acknowledgment" of language's role in creating and reflecting reality: "It's time for some sort of acknowledgment / Of what makes it the case strangely that I'm / In dire straits in Detroit, and on the streets." Here, he addresses the ability of words to bring fictional scenarios to life, making them feel real and immediate. The phrase "Without making Detroit an everywhere" emphasizes the specificity of language in grounding experiences in particular places and contexts, while also highlighting its universal resonance.

"And Most of All, I Wanna Thank ?Ǫ" ultimately celebrates the complexity and resilience of language. Hollander's exploration of linguistic nuances, regional differences, and the physicality of words underscores the dynamic interplay between language and meaning. Through his playful yet profound meditation, he invites readers to consider the power and patience of words, and the ways in which they shape and are shaped by our experiences. The poem stands as a testament to the enduring and transformative nature of language, capable of both reflecting and creating the world we inhabit.


Copyright (c) 2025 PoetryExplorer





Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!


Other Poems of Interest...



Home: PoetryExplorer.net