Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Richard Wilbur’s "Some Words Inside of Words" is a whimsical and delightful collection of verses that plays with language, imagination, and the unexpected connections between words and their meanings. Written for both children and adults, the poem blends humor, wordplay, and a sense of wonder, making it accessible while still engaging readers in its cleverness and subtle reflections on the quirks of language and life.

Each stanza functions as a self-contained vignette, offering observations, puns, or playful commentary. Wilbur uses rhyme and rhythm to enhance the poem’s lighthearted tone, crafting verses that are both memorable and enjoyable to read aloud. The poem’s episodic structure allows it to explore a range of themes, from everyday experiences to fanciful ideas, unified by its focus on wordplay and imagination.

The opening stanza sets the playful tone with a practical piece of advice: wet clothes should be hung to dry. This simple, relatable scenario becomes a metaphor for patience and process, with the cheerful rhyme emphasizing the satisfaction of letting things come to completion. The lines serve as an invitation to appreciate life’s small rituals and lessons, a recurring theme throughout the poem.

The second vignette reflects on the common frustration of blurry family photographs, where “someone in every family photograph / Has moved his head, or blinked, or had to laugh.” Wilbur humorously captures the imperfection of human moments, turning an annoyance into an affectionate acknowledgment of life’s unpredictability. The stanza celebrates the joy and humor in imperfection, reminding readers of the humanity behind every captured image.

The stanza about funambulists—tightrope walkers—introduces an element of daring and suspense. The word “funambulist” itself becomes a playful focal point, as Wilbur balances the fun inherent in the act with the danger it entails. The rhyme and rhythm mirror the precarious tension of walking a tightrope, while the final line provides a reassuring reminder that skill and memory are essential to success.

Wilbur’s exploration of words inside words is most apparent in the stanza about chrysanthemum, where “anthem” is hidden within the flower’s name. The comparison of a flower bed to a choir singing hymns and carols is a charming image, blending the natural world with the human act of celebration. This observation not only highlights the linguistic connection but also draws a parallel between the order and beauty of a flower bed and the harmony of a choir.

The stanzas about Camelot and sand-laden sandwiches further showcase Wilbur’s humor and inventiveness. The pun connecting “camel” to Camelot humorously disrupts the romantic imagery of Arthurian legend with the practical absurdity of a desert animal. Similarly, the stanza about gritty sandwiches conveys a childlike sense of distaste for the unexpected, blending humor with a relatable experience.

The poem’s later stanzas delve into the natural world, focusing on animals like the eland and the gnu. The eland’s “twisty-looking” horns evoke the mythical unicorn, blending fact with fantasy. Wilbur’s commentary on the gnu hidden within a pignut is particularly playful, inviting readers to question the truth of such an outlandish claim. The humor lies in the ridiculousness of the scenario, as Wilbur teases the reader’s credulity while reveling in the joy of storytelling.

Throughout the poem, Wilbur’s use of rhyme, meter, and wordplay reflects his mastery of language and his ability to make the ordinary extraordinary. The verses invite readers to engage with the text actively, to uncover the connections and surprises embedded in the words themselves. At the same time, the humor and lightheartedness ensure that the poem remains accessible and enjoyable for readers of all ages.

"Some Words Inside of Words" is a celebration of language, imagination, and the unexpected delights found in the world around us. Through its clever wordplay and whimsical tone, the poem encourages readers to look closely, to find joy in the small and unexpected, and to embrace the playful possibilities of language. Wilbur’s verses remind us that words—and the world—are full of surprises, waiting to be discovered with curiosity and delight.

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