Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Concordance [Our Conversation is a Wing]" by Mei-Mei Berssenbrugge delves into the abstract and fluid dynamics of human connection, consciousness, and emotional resonance. Through the use of intricate metaphors and evocative imagery, Berssenbrugge explores the ways in which our interactions and internal experiences intertwine, shaping our perception of reality and relationships.

The poem begins with the metaphor of a conversation being a wing beneath the speaker's consciousness, likening it to the unseen forces that shape natural phenomena such as wind patterns in cloth or light on water. This imagery suggests that our dialogues and connections have a subtle, underlying order and beauty that may not be immediately apparent but influence us deeply.

Berssenbrugge introduces the concept of stories swirling into collective dreams, hinting at the shared nature of human experiences and the way personal narratives can coalesce into a broader, communal understanding. The sudden translation of flies buzzing into the recognition of another's emotional state illustrates the transformative power of empathy, where the mundane becomes meaningful through the lens of connection.

The act of embracing the old person, who is not perceived as "light" until hugged, symbolizes the transformative effect of compassion and recognition. The speaker's happiness and the mention of a French suit at the interface of wing and occasion suggest that moments of connection are not only emotional but also aesthetic, creating beauty at the points where our lives intersect.

Berssenbrugge challenges the reader to consider the nature of friendship, compassion, and the desire to be understood by another. The poem grapples with the complexity of wanting to be held in someone else's consciousness, likening it to the anticipation of someone waiting for you to wake—a metaphor for the deep yearning for mutual awareness and connection.

The exploration of the wave nature of desire and the fractal conflict along the outlines of a petal or shore from a boat extend the metaphor of connection to the natural world, suggesting that our emotional landscapes are as intricate and patterned as the physical world around us. The assertion that words spoken with force create particles and the concept of a morphic field where accidents recur resonate with the idea that our thoughts, words, and experiences have tangible impacts on the world and each other.

The poem closes on a contemplative note, with the speaker reflecting on the bitterness and helplessness of their last thoughts. The entry of friends into one's consciousness during grief illuminates the individual, bringing a quietness that suggests comfort and understanding.

"Concordance [Our Conversation is a Wing]" is a profound meditation on the interconnectedness of human consciousness, the transformative power of empathy, and the intricate patterns that underlie our relationships and experiences. Berssenbrugge's use of complex imagery and philosophical inquiry invites readers to reflect on the subtle, often unseen ways in which we influence and are influenced by the people and world around us.

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