5

Poem

that “last year i abstained; this year i devour / without guilt / which is also an art” poem but if the devouring was a form of abstinence: you devour impurities because you are yourself pure enough to burn them away from within; you devour everything but the bones of the thing you consume and so you find out what its real shape is, to be bared and bleached before the world, to be true

Summary:

The poem explores the concept of devouring as a paradoxical form of abstinence. Rather than indulgence, the act of devouring is portrayed as purifying oneself by burning away impurities from within. It involves consuming everything except the essence or core of what is consumed, revealing its true form to be exposed and purified before the world.

Explanation:

The poet contrasts conventional notions of abstinence (refraining from indulgence) with a deeper, more metaphorical form where devouring becomes a means of purification. It's not about excess but about consuming with an intention to reveal and purify. This process not only cleanses but also exposes the core reality of what is consumed, presenting it honestly and authentically to the world.

Notes:

  • Paradoxical Nature:
    The poem plays on the idea that devouring can be a form of abstinence when done with purity of intention.

  • Purification:
    By consuming impurities, one purifies oneself, suggesting a process of inner cleansing.

  • Revealing Truth:
    The act of leaving behind only the bones or essence of what is consumed unveils its true nature, stripped bare and authentic.



My Perspective:

During insect metamorphosis, particularly in butterflies, the animal undergoes a significant loss of neurons followed by the growth of new ones that are connected to its new body. This makes me wonder if a butterfly has any memory of being a caterpillar. Does it remember anything from its previous stage of life, or is everything forgotten due to the transformation? I also wonder if the caterpillar perceives the surge of ecdysone, the hormone that triggers metamorphosis, as a form of death or a mistake. Imagine going through such a drastic change—how terrifying and disorienting that must be. And then, I think about the concept of eternity without memory. What is the point of an eternal life if all memories, experiences, and identity are lost? It seems that without memory, eternity would be utterly useless.