Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Alicia Suskin Ostriker's poem "It Hurts It Is Impossible" is a stark and raw expression of pain, vulnerability, and a desperate plea for companionship in the face of suffering. The poem’s brevity and repetition emphasize the intensity of the speaker's emotional state, distilling the experience of pain down to its most fundamental elements. The repetition of certain phrases creates a rhythm that mirrors the relentless nature of the pain being described, while the plea for someone to "please come" underscores the profound need for connection and support during moments of acute distress.

The poem begins with the simple declaration: "it hurts it is impossible." This opening line captures the essence of overwhelming pain—physical, emotional, or both—while also conveying the sense of helplessness that accompanies it. The repetition of "it is impossible" serves to reinforce the idea that the pain is insurmountable, beyond the speaker's ability to manage or control. The word "impossible" here is not just a statement of fact, but an acknowledgment of the speaker's despair, the recognition that their suffering feels unendurable.

As the poem progresses, the speaker's plea becomes more urgent: "come when it happens / please come when it happens." The repetition of this request intensifies the sense of desperation, as if the speaker is calling out into a void, hoping for a response but unsure if one will come. The use of the word "please" adds a layer of humility and supplication, revealing the speaker's vulnerability and their dependence on the presence of another person to help them through their pain.

The structure of the poem, with its short lines and repetitive phrases, reflects the fragmented, almost gasping nature of speech during moments of intense suffering. The lack of punctuation creates a sense of continuity, as if the speaker's thoughts and words are tumbling out in an unbroken stream, driven by the need to communicate their pain and the desperate hope that someone will hear and respond.

The final lines of the poem—"please come when it happens / please"—are particularly poignant. The repetition of "please" at the end of the poem leaves the reader with a lingering sense of the speaker's profound need for comfort and reassurance. It suggests that in the face of unbearable pain, the most basic human desire is for connection, for someone to be present, to acknowledge the suffering, and to offer whatever solace they can.

"It Hurts It Is Impossible" is a powerful meditation on the experience of pain and the human need for connection in moments of despair. Through its minimalist structure and repetitive language, Ostriker conveys the raw intensity of suffering and the deep vulnerability that comes with it. The poem speaks to the universal experience of pain and the desperate hope that, in our darkest moments, we will not be left to face it alone.

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