Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Fast as You Can Count to Ten" by John Ciardi is a succinct yet profound poem that delves into themes of morality, forgiveness, and human fallibility. Through a compact and evocative structure, Ciardi explores the tension between the rigid structure of moral laws, as symbolized by the Ten Commandments, and the boundless nature of forgiveness and mercy. This poem, in its brevity, encapsulates a deeply human dilemma—the struggle to align one's actions with one's moral beliefs and the inevitable need for forgiveness when one falls short.

The poem opens with a playful yet meaningful comparison: "Fast as you can count to ten commandments, I would count to twenty forgivenesses." This line immediately sets up a contrast between the concrete, defined nature of the Ten Commandments—a cornerstone of Judeo-Christian ethics that outlines a clear set of moral imperatives—and the poet's desire to offer twice as many acts of forgiveness. The use of the number ten, associated with completeness and divine order, against the number twenty, suggests an attempt to go beyond merely adhering to a set of rules towards a more generous, compassionate approach to human interactions.

However, the speaker's admission of uncertainty—"could I think which twenty"—introduces a note of human fallibility. This uncertainty reflects the complexity of moral and ethical decisions, where the right course of action is not always clear, and the need for forgiveness is a constant. It suggests that despite the speaker's aspiration to offer abundant forgiveness, the process of identifying when and how to forgive is fraught with difficulty.

The poem then shifts to a more personal plea: "let me offer all and without number and beg for myself, if you please, your used mercies." Here, Ciardi emphasizes the idea of limitless forgiveness, moving beyond the initial framework of counting and quantifying forgiveness to a more expansive, unconditional offering. This shift underscores the transformative potential of forgiveness, not as a finite resource to be allocated or counted but as an infinite wellspring of compassion and understanding.

By invoking "your used mercies," the speaker acknowledges the recipient's capacity for forgiveness, which has been exercised in the past, and appeals for a continuation of that mercy towards himself. This request for "used mercies" conveys a sense of humility and recognition of the speaker's own imperfections and the ongoing need for grace and forgiveness in human relationships.

"Fast as You Can Count to Ten" is a contemplative piece that uses a simple, direct structure to explore complex themes of ethics, forgiveness, and the human condition. Ciardi's poem suggests that while moral laws provide a necessary framework for behavior, the essence of morality lies in our capacity for compassion, forgiveness, and understanding beyond the confines of any rule or commandment. It is a call to embrace a more forgiving stance toward ourselves and others, recognizing that mercy is not a finite commodity but an essential component of our humanity.

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