“The future perfect
is no place to hide,”
I read from bed,
from the morning table,
and again,
from a quiet place
on All Saints Road.
The future is elected
as the arbiter
of the good —
an absurd
grace period
as the right thing
never waits.
I am not lost
in knowing
even in our trying
we are complicit
in wretchedness
in a world that breeds
wretchedness.
I am startled by a pigeon
in Tavistock Gardens.
I am watching
my six.
I am numb to the news
that deserves all my senses.
— Poem inspired by “The Right Side of Now,” New Yorker
How ChatGPT analyzed my poem “All Saints Road” —
This poem explores themes of existential and societal responsibility, the limitations of projecting solutions into the future, and the personal struggle to stay alert and engaged in a world filled with persistent challenges. Here’s a breakdown of its elements:
1. Critique of Future Expectations: The poem begins with the line, “The future perfect is no place to hide,” indicating skepticism towards the notion that future states or solutions can offer refuge from present issues. This sets the tone for a reflection on the impracticality of relying on the future to resolve the ethical and moral dilemmas of today.
2. Questioning Societal Norms: The speaker critiques how society often defers moral judgment and action to future outcomes (“The future is elected as the arbiter of the good”), describing this deferment as “an absurd grace period.” This implies frustration with the common tendency to postpone necessary actions, highlighting the urgency and immediacy often required for ethical decisions and actions (“the right thing never waits”).
3. Personal Awareness and Complicity: The speaker acknowledges a deep awareness of their own and society’s role in perpetuating “wretchedness” despite attempts to improve (“even in our trying we are complicit in wretchedness in a world that breeds wretchedness”). This acknowledgment points to a broader, systemic issue where even well-intentioned actions are insufficient to completely eradicate widespread problems.
4. Moment of Surprise and Vigilance: The mention of being startled by a pigeon in Tavistock Gardens introduces a personal narrative, symbolizing unexpected moments that jolt us back to reality. “I am watching my six” further adds to this theme of vigilance and caution, suggesting a need to remain aware and prepared in an unpredictable world.
5. Desensitization to Media: The speaker expresses a numbing towards news, “that deserves all my senses,” indicating an overwhelming barrage of information that often leads to emotional fatigue or apathy. This desensitization highlights the challenge of maintaining an engaged and sensitive response to ongoing global crises.
Overall, the poem reflects a profound contemplation on the ethical challenges of contemporary life, critiquing the notion of deferring responsibility and questioning how individuals can effectively respond to systemic issues without becoming numb or complacent. It invites readers to consider the importance of immediate action and personal accountability in a complex world.