Counting/ Mandala:Dilemma

I chose to do a comparative analysis on the article “counting” by various authors and “Mandala:Dilemma” by Alastair Reid. The reason I chose to do a comparative analysis on these two pieces of literature is because one is an article discussing the significance of concrete poetry, and the other is a poem which I think is a perfect example of concrete experimental writing.

I previously did an analysis of the Reid Poem “Mandala:Dilemma” which is poem that consist of one line that is constructed in a circular fashion. The one line of the poem reads “The pen is mightier than the.” Well..that’s how I read it anyway. The article “Counting” by various authors is composed of several articles from several authors in which they all try to define “Concrete poetry” and it its significance within the poetry world. The reason I chose to analyze this article is because I’m currently taking a poetry workshop class and we are talking about the difference between concrete and abstract poetry.

The “Counting” article begins with a brief description by Ian Hamilton Finlay on what concrete poetry is. He says “Concrete Poetry is not a visual but a silent poetry. Concrete poetry was considered childish because it was seen and not heard.” (179) When you compare this quote with Reid’s poem they almost go hand in hand. The first impression that most readers would get when reading “Mandala:Dilemma” for the first time is “What is this?” “Why is it one line written in a circle?” The poem would come across as very childish for readers who did not take the time to understand the true meaning of the poem.

I think the Reid poem is concrete in message, and abstract and experimental in delivery. In my opinion the primary motivation behind experimental writing is to break up the monotony of reading in straight lines. Experimental writing is also designed to force the reader’s brain to read and process information in a new way. The food for thought doesn’t change it’s how the food for thought is presented that makes the information more appetizing.

An open mind is really all a reader/viewer needs to bring when reading experimental writing. It is easier said than done, especially in American culture where everything is simplified or “dumbed down” so people can digest and dispose of information faster. You have to use your critical thinking and analytical skills when reading experimental writing, which is a tough task for a society of people that gets angry when you ask them to think about something.

When comparing these two pieces of literature I think what I will hold onto and use in my own work is the knowledge and better understanding of what “concrete poetry” is. Like I said earlier I’m currently taking a Poetry workshop class where we’re talking about what is “concrete poetry”. At first I really did not understand what my professor was talking about, but after reading the “Counting” article it really cleared up any cloudiness and confusion I had about the definition.