The title of a poem sometimes appeals our attention but after reading we are not sure what was the intention.
Is it possible that the poem fails to accomplish its message when the title is not the right one?
Different interpretations may be better too......
When someone catches the right intention of the poet he may smile but keep silent.......that is the interesting side of poetry for me.....
As I pondered this comment, perhaps? in light of my understanding of Leonard’s poem, ‘the Genius,’ I began to wonder about evaporation and censorship.
Yet I am certain that no fan of poetry is in favor of the latter. As people discuss what poetry means to them, it is a given we draw our own conclusions. In my consideration of this poem, I’m reminded that I won’t, and we will ‘never forget’ the Holocaust. The real tragedy of individuals has now become mythic, such that ‘no mind can understand.’ At the same time another tragedy has occurred, rendering objectivity off limits, and without words. In his book, “the Holocaust Industry” Norman Finkelstein writes of this, as he sees it personally, that his parents were real individuals who survived… and have been exploited by the industry. It is worth noting the similarity of Leonard’s “that no mind can understand” with Eli Wiesel’s ‘uniqueness’ doctrine regarding the suffering of Jews.
This is what the poem makes me wonder about. I say it here, much more than I said to Jen. Does this ruin the discussion of the poem for you, or could it open doors to other questions?
regarding the title of the poem ......that is maybe the intention of the "that no mind can understand"......
I can imagine this in the sense that it may have a biased or hidden message to make other think about it openly ...people may be mistaken when giving meaning to it ....but the real meaning it is most of the time hidden for others to decipher.
Beyond the line “no mind can understand” is everything in between this and the title of the poem.
Jewish. Jewish stereotypes, any stereotype or lifestyle... Jewish. Anti-Semitism... the assumed condition. Talmud controversy (more Anti-Semitism.) The Holocaust. At any moment the speaker is a victim or could be... imputed status from THE Holocaust, ever present, and ever present throughout the poem. This Is Genius and powerful in this world.
The conclusion I draw, is that Leonard is clearly observant of this but his intention of writing it ? it isn’t part of it. To me, that is what is hidden.
