Constantly risking absurdity
In 'Constantly Risking Absurdity,' Lawrence Ferlinghetti compares the poet to an acrobat, highlighting the delicate balance and risk involved in the creative process. The poet, like an acrobat, performs above the audience, balancing on the attention and perception of those watching. The poem suggests that the poet must navigate the fine line between truth and illusion, constantly risking failure and misunderstanding. The imagery of the acrobat performing high above the ground symbolizes the poet's pursuit of beauty and truth, which are depicted as elusive and dangerous. The reference to 'Charlie Chaplin' adds a layer of humor and vulnerability, suggesting that despite the poet's efforts, success is uncertain. The poem captures the essence of artistic endeavor as a daring and precarious act, where the poet must maintain authenticity and clarity while reaching for higher ideals.
| Word | Easy Meaning | Translation | Pron. |
|---|---|---|---|
| absurdity | ridiculousness | silliness | ab-sur-di-ty |
| acrobat | performer | gymnast | ak-ro-bat |
| rime | rhyme | a word that has the same ending sound as another | rahy-m |
| eyebeams | gazes | the focus or attention of eyes | eye-beems |
| entrechats | dance jumps | a ballet jump where the dancer crosses their legs | an-tre-sha |
| sleight-of-foot | foot tricks | skillful foot movements | slite-of-foot |
| super realist | extreme realist | someone who sees things as they truly are | soo-per ree-a-list |
| perforce | necessarily | must | per-force |
| taut | tight | tight | tawt |
| stance | position | the way in which someone stands | stance |
| perch | high spot | a high or elevated position | perch |
| gravity | seriousness | importance | grav-i-ty |
| charleychaplin | comedian | referring to Charlie Chaplin, a famous comedic actor | char-lee-chap-lin |
| spreadeagled | spread out | stretched out with arms and legs spread wide | spread-ea-gled |
| existence | being | the state of being alive or real | ex-is-tence |
Lawrence Monsanto Ferlinghetti (1919–2021) was an American poet, painter, and social activist. He co-founded City Lights Booksellers & Publishers and is best known for his poetry collection 'A Coney Island of the Mind'. His work often explored themes of social justice and the human condition.
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