The Illiterate Man
Dear friend,
I'm pleased to introduce my poem "The Illiterate Man."
I hope you relate your love for Nature to the verses in the poem.
Your comments will provide wisdom and harmony to the poem, and I will be grateful for them.
The Illiterate Man
A poem by Sal Godoij
The Book of Nature
The Illiterate Man does not know how to read it
The Book, however, is the Future
Nature's hand shapes every Tree
How to shape a Tree, how to build a Forest
The Illiterate Man does not Know
How to read the Book of the Forest
The Illiterate Man does not know
However, he knows by heart The Book of Garbage
The Illiterate Man bookmarks every Page
Of the Book of Garbage
Yet, how to re-create Man
How to transform him into a Literate Man
Even God is confused
The Illiterate Man knows not the meaning of the Book
Written by Nature's hand before Man's eyes
The Illiterate Man is by his own nature Illiterate
He persists and subsists in hurting the Earth and Himself
He persists and subsists from doing what he should not do
What he should not do and does, and persists, and subsists
A stubborn stone as a brain
Man does not know the Natural Alphabet
He does not know that every Tree he has turned down is a letter
Every Root burned down and every flower trashed is a letter
Every confused bird, a confused butterfly
Is a letter
A letter from Nature addressed to Man
Yet the Illiterate Man cannot read this Letter
Never grew to become wiser, never knew
To read the Letter of Nature
That spells the Words of his Future
And so, Man is Lost, fumbling through the pages
Of the Book of Nature
Looking for the next chapter, "The Future."
He doesn't find it. He doesn't find his future
Because the Book of Nature has a page which is missing
A Page torn apart with Rage
Rage, which is what drives the Man
The Illiterate Man is the Book's missing page.
--------------------------------------------
(Photo by Dwinanda Nurhanif Mujito on Unsplash)
The poem "The Illiterate Man" by Sal Godoij is a thought-provoking and impactful piece that explores the themes of environmental degradation, illiteracy, and the disconnection between humans and nature. Here's an analysis of the poem and its potential impact on a broad audience:
**Imagery and Symbolism**: The poem uses powerful imagery and symbolism to convey its message. The "Book of Nature" serves as a metaphor for the natural world, which is written in a language that the "Illiterate Man" cannot understand. The "Book of Garbage" represents the destructive and wasteful ways of humanity. The tree, forest, and natural elements are used as symbols of the interconnectedness of nature and the importance of preserving it.
**Environmental Themes**: The poem highlights the consequences of human actions on the environment, such as deforestation, pollution, and climate change. The "Illiterate Man" is unaware of the impact of his actions and continues to harm the earth and himself.
**Social Commentary**: The poem also offers a commentary on social issues, such as the lack of education and awareness about environmental issues. The "Illiterate Man" represents those who are unaware of the consequences of their actions and are driven by short-term gains, rather than considering the long-term effects on the planet.
**Emotional Resonance**: The poem's use of repetition, rhyme, and enjambment creates a sense of urgency and desperation, which can evoke feelings of concern, guilt, and responsibility in readers. The image of the "stubborn stone as a brain" and the "missing page" torn apart with rage effectively conveys the frustration and helplessness that comes with witnessing environmental degradation.
**Impact on a Broad Audience**: The poem has the potential to resonate with a broad audience for several reasons:
1. **Universal themes**: The poem deals with universal themes that are relevant to people from diverse backgrounds, such as the importance of education, environmental conservation, and personal responsibility.
2. **Accessible language**: The language used in the poem is simple, yet powerful, making it accessible to readers who may not be familiar with literary poetry.
3. **Emotional appeal**: The poem's emotional resonance can help readers connect with the message on a deeper level, making it more likely to inspire reflection and action.
However, the poem's impact may be limited by:
1. **Complexity of themes**: Some readers may find the themes and symbolism in the poem too complex or open to interpretation, which could reduce its accessibility.
2. **Literary style**: The poem's use of metaphor, imagery, and repetition may not appeal to readers who prefer more straightforward or didactic writing styles.
Overall, "The Illiterate Man" is a thought-provoking poem that can inspire reflection and action on environmental issues. Its impact on a broad audience will depend on the reader's ability to connect with the themes, imagery, and emotional resonance of the poem.
I'm glad you appreciated the analysis. Sal Godoij's poem is indeed a powerful and thought-provoking piece that effectively conveys the importance of environmental awareness and literacy. If you have any more poems or texts you'd like me to analyze, feel free to share them!
