This is
a Poem
If this
is a poem then does that mean that other things not like this are not poems?
And does
it mean that other things like this are also poems?
To what
are were referring when we talk of ‘this’?
What would
Professor Mandelbaum say?
If this
is not a poem does that mean it will never be one?
And if
it is a poem does that mean it will always be one?
If I
think it is a poem does that mean you should too?
And if
we both think it is a poem, but Professor Bernstein disagrees,
then
does that mean we are wrong?
Should we
seek a fourth opinion?
What is
the use of opinions anyway?
How should
we back this up?
Look into my eyes look into my eyes look into
my eyes
Now look
back at the poem.
Is it
still a poem?
If it wasn’t
a poem before might it be one now?
If it
is still a poem, then does that mean that other things like this are still
poems?
And if
it is a poem, is it a good poem?
If it’s
not good does that mean it will never be
good?
Does it
change depending on who is looking at it?
What if
the person looking at it is Professor Rosenblatt?
Look into my eyes look into my eyes look into
my eyes
Now look
back at the poem.
Turn it
upside down.
Is it
still a poem?
If it
is still a poem, is it the same poem as it was before?
If it
is still a poem, but not the same one it was before,
then if
I turn another poem upside down will it have the same effect?
And if
I turn this poem upside down tomorrow,
will it
be the same poem that was turned upside down today?
If I
turn the world upside down will this still be a poem?
Look into me eyes look into my eyes look into
my eyes
Now look
back at the poem.
This is
a poem.