Very interesting, Adam. A hard subject to try and capture, and so intensely personal to the individual. Kudos to you. The final 'message' is very uplifting to the human condition.
I did smile at the use of 'kitten'. There is a science about the 'baby' thing of all animals - big eyes being predominant, if I remember correctly. And utter helplessness. But kittens conquer us totally. Maybe it's the fluffy fur as well, the feel of them and the size, fitting within our human palm. Same criteria should apply to many other animals, but it doesn't, usually.
'my charming good-bye' is a poetic gem. The word 'charm' is one of the loveliest in the English language, so full of extended meaning, so often used sluggishly.
What do you consider to be 'worse' than 'death'? That gave me pause before I even read on.
Comment is about Adam's Humanity (blog)
Original item by Adam Whitworth
<Deleted User> (17789)
Wed 28th Jun 2017 23:20
Adam Whitworth
Fri 30th Jun 2017 00:29
Dear Anna, I'm so pleased you were urged to comment in such a positive way, thankyou very much.
Dear cynthia, thankyou for your comments. The infinity of things worse than death don't need me to start listing them,
I can't believe you mean there's 'nothing worse than death'.
A religious whiff is unavoidable in this poem, our "Adam" could be he of fig-leaf fame. If so (it is just one angle, Adam is also my own name, it could well be a more personal confession. In fact it is well known that where we have two interpretations of a poem, they are probably both pertinent, we must take both roads at once) I imagine this episode before the advent of apple-keen Eve, seeing Adam as an everyman, and exploring his humanity as such, even while he is the only man.
He starts in a state of perfect isolation and not very happy about it but even here he can find a believable positive attitude- it's not so bad. ?
He is then delighted finding something (rather than nothing), although it is quite inanimate, he appreciates it a great deal and his mood is certainly lifted. ?
The idea at least of a living creature, a companion, raises his spirits to a high pitch and at this point in his journey through the poem I would call him happy, despite the uncertain position. ?
His fellow humans he considered next, though none are present. His 'family' we might say, with the overwhelming love that entails. His concern for them, generous and altruistic I like to think, is the culmination of his Humanity which has been developing throughout the story. ?
Comment is about Adam's Humanity (blog)
Original item by Adam Whitworth