If, as they say, poetry is a sign of something
among people, then let this be pre-arranged now,
between us, while we are still peoples: that
at the end of time, which is also the end of poetry
(and wheat and evil and insects and love),
when the entire human race gathers in the flesh,
reconstituted down to the infant’s tiniest fold
and littlest nail, I will be standing at the edge
of that fathomless crowd with an orange for you,
reconstituted down to its innermost seed protected
by white thread, in case you are thirsty, which
does not at this time seem like such a wild guess,
and though there will be no poetry between us then,
at the end of time, the geese all gone with the seas,
I hope you will take it, and remember on earth
I did not know how to touch it, it was all so raw,
and if by chance there is no edge to the crowd
or anything else so that I am of it,
I will take the orange and toss it as high as I can.
Analysis
“If, as they say, poetry is a sign of something among people, then let this be prearranged now, between us, while we are still peoples:”
The speaker begins by questioning the significance of poetry and its ability to connect people. The phrase “let this be pre-arranged now” suggests a desire to make a meaningful connection with the reader, even if it is at the end of time.
“that at the end of time, which is also the end of poetry (and wheat and evil and insects and love), when the entire human race gathers in the flesh, reconstituted down to the infant’s tiniest fold and littlest nail,”
The speaker continues to imagine a future time when everything will come to an end, including poetry, love, and life as we know it. The phrase “reconstituted down to the infant’s tiniest fold and littlest nail” suggests that even in this future time, the speaker and the reader will be reconnected at the most fundamental level of human existence.
“I will be standing at the edge of that fathomless crowd with an orange for you, reconstituted down to its innermost seed protected by white thread,”
Here, the speaker offers the reader an orange, which represents a gesture of love and connection. The phrase “reconstituted down to its innermost seed protected by white thread” reinforces the idea that even in the future, the speaker and the reader will be connected at the most fundamental level of existence.
“in case you are thirsty, which does not at this time seem like such a wild guess,”
The speaker suggests that the reader may be thirsty at the end of time, and that the orange will be a refreshing drink. This line also highlights the uncertainty and unpredictability of the future.
“and though there will be no poetry between us then, at the end of time,”
The speaker acknowledges that poetry will no longer exist in the future, but the orange will be a meaningful gesture of love and connection regardless.
“the geese all gone with the seas,”
This line suggests a future world in which natural beauty and wonder will no longer exist.
“I hope you will take it, and remember on earth I did not know how to touch it, it was all so raw,”
The speaker hopes that the reader will accept the orange as a symbol of love and connection, even though the speaker did not fully understand its significance during their lifetime.
“and if by chance there is no edge to the crowd or anything else so that I am of it,”
The final lines of the poem suggest a sense of uncertainty about the future and the possibility that the speaker may not be present at the meeting with the reader.
“I will take the orange and toss it as high as I can.”
Despite this uncertainty, the speaker vows to make the gesture of offering the orange, even if it is only to the universe itself. This final line is a powerful image of hope and connection that transcends time and space.
“peeling oranges this, sharing tangerines that, what about cutting and de-seeding pomegranates for the ones you love? the ruby stains on your fingers fleeting proofs of your undying devotion”
-aaditya
Aaditya Bajpai 