by Paul Hostovsky
The way out
isn’t under or
over or around
or even through.
It’s with. With is
the only way out.
In fact, out isn’t
the way out either.
Out is a misnomer.
The Way Out
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{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
When Ferdinand de Saussure talked about the radical arbitrariness of language, he nailed it: Context is everything, context makes words mean what we need and want to say. When we go searching for words in our word banks, it is such a remarkable pleasure to find little, bland, dull-seeming pieces like “with” that gleam at us, smiling at our surprise at what they can mean, in context. (See also, “dancing with the wind” in Cameron Conaway’s posting, “From this height.”)
Paul,
Always a delight to see you name pop up on this site. And, Kristina has your number. Both of you nailed it. Context. Context. Context. As in…
Poets can’t leave well enough alone.
Can’t stop pulling the bucket up or down?
For crying out loud.
3rd place at the talent show?
Free shoes.
Let them go home?
Traveling light.
Across the room before I can sit?
Tip my hat to Paul and Kristina.
Gratuity included?
Amicus poeticae,
Neal Whitman
And yet… the context is not stated. It’s the only thing left out. The way out of what, would you say? I’m curious to know your take on it.
The paradox is the context. That is what “with” points to: there IS no way out, with or without (it, you, me, us?)! Dixit