Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Abnormal Is Not Courage" is a poem by Jack Gilbert, an American poet known for his works that explore themes of love, loss, and the human experience. The poem was first published in 1964 in “Poets of Today” edited. by  Walter Lowenfels,.

Explanation:

"Abnormal Is Not Courage" is a poem that challenges societal norms and expectations around illness and disability. The speaker of the poem describes an encounter with a person who is suffering from a physical ailment, and who is often referred to as "abnormal" or "courageous" by others. The poem suggests that such labels are inadequate and inappropriate, and that true courage lies not in overcoming illness or disability, but in facing the reality of one's own mortality and living life to the fullest.

Poetic Elements:

• Form: Free verse with no consistent rhyme or meter
• Tone: Critical and questioning, with a sense of moral urgency
• Imagery: Vivid descriptions of the physical and emotional experiences of illness and disability
• Symbolism: The use of illness and disability as symbols for the broader human experience of mortality and impermanence.

Conclusion:

"Abnormal Is Not Courage" is a powerful and provocative poem that challenges societal norms and expectations around illness and disability. Through its use of vivid imagery, tone, and symbolism, the poem invites us to question our assumptions about what it means to be "normal" or "courageous," and to consider the deeper realities of human mortality and impermanence. Ultimately, the poem reminds us of the importance of living fully in the face of our own mortality, and of finding courage not in overcoming illness or disability, but in facing the reality of our own lives with honesty and grace.

Poem Snippet:

"The Japanese have a word for the quality

of courage which is not foolish or blind,

but deliberate, passionate, and un-distracted.

They say it is the quality of a tree

that grows each year after the needles have fallen,

gaining strength and maturity with time,

rooting deeper into the earth."