I’m Speechless: I am Living
In the next minute, two hundred and sixty-seven human beings will be born onto this planet. These souls may be fortunate enough to be born into a life of endless love, prosperity, and happiness. They could be born in the midst of crisis and chaos and destined to withstand emotional hardships and pains. The course of their lives has not been determined – there is infinite potential. What is important to understand is that these beings are alive, and the gift of life is the most precious gift of all.
Marie Howe’s mesmerizing poem, “What The Living Do”, is an eye-opening piece which reveals the human tendency to take life for granted and complain, while looking past the essential beauty of life itself. The poem is addressed to someone that has already passed, possibly a loved one or close friend. Howe speaks of the minutiae daily struggles she faces and inherent hardships of life, yet eventually realizes that there is more to living than dilemmas and finds a greater appreciation for her flawed life.
Li-Young Lee’s poem, “Self-Help for Fellow Refugees”, depicts Lee’s struggle through a difficult situation with his father, along with the burden of another culture. Lee speaks of a time and a place where “all human aching starts”, evoking feelings of intense emotion and agony that Lee was going through. However, as the piece comes to a close, Lee’s attitude shifts and the language turns from resentful and judgmental to hopeful and optimistic. Lee proclaims, “It doesn’t matter. What matters is this: The Kingdom of heaven is good. But heaven on Earth is better. Thinking is good. But living is better. Alone in your favorite chair with a book you enjoy is fine. But spooning is even better.” Lee’s transition acknowledges his recognition of the greater realities of life. This coincides beautifully with Howe’s awareness of the essential importance of human life. Howe states in her captivating poem, “What The Living Do”, “When I catch a glimpse of myself in the window glass…I’m gripped by a cherishing so deep for my own blowing hair, chapped face, and unbuttoned coat that I’m speechless: I am living.” Here, Howe conveys her apparently selfless and raw identity by acknowledging how grateful she is to be alive. Both Lee and Howe carry demons and hardships that are burdensome and are eternally a part of their beings. Yet, as Lee acknowledges the present and the love that is here and now on Earth, and as Howe understands how precious life truly is despite the suffering, it is evident that both poets share a common obsession with the essence of life.
“The Gift” by Li-Young Lee centers around the idea that the physical and emotional pains of life should not distract one from love. The “gift” is essentially the love that Lee received from his father in a painful situation, which he is able to use in his art, making it valuable. Lee demonstrates an inherent positivity by which he is able to connect struggle and pain to love. Similarly, Howe’s continual daily dilemmas allow her to eventually realize that being alive is a gift in itself. Howe and Lee both struggle with conflicting feelings about the pains of life and they acknowledge the importance of life’s beauty. This selflessness speaks wonders about Howe’s identity and who she is as a person. From her poem, it is clear that she does not take her life for granted and has the ability to appreciate what she sometimes looks past – the gift of life.
By utilizing common dilemmas that are relevant to others, Howe is able to intrigue and capture her readers with her struggles. Spilling coffee, dropping groceries, and fantasizing about love are such everyday, normal parts of Howe’s life, that she finds it hard to always acknowledge their significance. Howe uses vivid detail as she describes how the “Drano won’t work but smells dangerous.” She ironically complains how she is “waiting for plumber I still haven’t called”. Conversely, sporadically placed throughout the poem,