Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"The Telepathic Carnivore" by Will Alexander is a poem that delves into the complexities and mysteries of perception and reality. Alexander uses rich, abstract language to explore themes of existence, understanding, and the unknown.

The poem opens with the phrase "In the mirror of excessive drift," immediately setting a tone of introspection and contemplation. This mirror is not just a reflective surface; it is a metaphor for the way we perceive and interpret the world around us. The "excessive drift" suggests a state of constant change or movement, a fluidity in the way things are understood or experienced.

Alexander speaks of "values / which exist within schisms," pointing to the idea that understanding or truth is not singular or absolute but is instead fragmented and variable. These values exist within "error wracked spectrums," indicating that our perceptions are often flawed or limited, tainted by mistakes and misunderstandings.

The poem's imagery is vivid and enigmatic, with references to "vapour / above anti-dimensional obstruction" and "the visage of metrics / tuned to a mesmeric lisp." These phrases evoke a sense of something beyond the ordinary, a reality that is not easily defined or understood. The language is both scientific and mystical, blending concepts of measurement and analysis with a sense of enchantment and otherworldliness.

The mention of "a rancid facial dice / thrown across ethers" suggests a randomness or unpredictability in the way we perceive and understand. It's as if our comprehension of reality is a game of chance, subject to the whims of fate or forces beyond our control.

The poem concludes with the idea of understanding advancing to "a macro-positional scalding," which then "collapses" and is "bound to invisible comradery." This could be interpreted as a process of gaining profound insight or knowledge, only for it to disintegrate or transform into something else entirely—a connection with the unseen or unknown aspects of existence.

In "The Telepathic Carnivore," Will Alexander presents a complex and abstract exploration of perception, reality, and the limits of human understanding. The poem challenges the reader to consider the ways in which we make sense of the world and the inherent uncertainties and mysteries that are part of that process