Garbageman: the Man with the Orderly Mind
Garbageman: the Man with the Orderly Mind - meaning Summary
Order Versus Chaotic Striving
The poem contrasts a precise, orderly figure with people who fumble socially and fail to translate rules into action. It voices the bewildered speakers’ self-consciousness and longing for guidance: they memorize instructions yet miss the “game,” fail to catch signals, and are overwhelmed by crowd noise and confusion. The closing lines plead for clarity and transformation, asking that foggy uncertainty be dissolved so bewilderment can become light and purpose.
Read Complete AnalysesWhat do you think of us in fuzzy endeavor, you whose di- rections are sterling, whose lunge is straight? Can you make a reason, how can you pardon us memorize the rules and never score? Who memorize the rules from your own text but never quite transfer them to the game, Who never quite receive the whistling ball, who gawk, begin to absorb the crowd’s own roar. In earnestness enough, may earnestness attract or lead to light; Is light enough, if hands in clumsy frenzy, flimsy whimsicality, enlist; Is light enough when this bewilderment crying against the dark shuts down the shades? Dilute confusion. Find and explode our mist.
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