For this reading log I deicide to do a poem from week twelve ‘s online packet titled “Space”, by author Ted Berrigan. He begins the poem as a continuation of the title, and goes about telling a story of an encounter. The person he encounters is not identified as neither male nor female or having any relation with him. The reader must assume the sex and relation of this character on their own. The author talks about how him and this person lock eyes from across Second Avenue. He then crosses against the light, or when its green, to see this person. They end up being in front of one another while in front of a candy store. He then describes how important and incredible this person is by saying “ the Chrysler building is making the empire state stand tall & friendly it leans your way”. In other words, even the buildings want to get closer to this person. The author finishes off by saying “ there’s appointments for everybody/ They don’t have to be kept either”. I interpreted this in two ways. One being that they are blocking and holding people up but they don’t care. Another is that they both have places to go, which is where they were going initially, but everybody has appointments and they aren’t a big deal. In the end there is no space between them.
I really enjoyed reading this poem, mainly because I could picture it as it happened. I can also relate to it because it has happened to me. I too have canceled plans due to unexpected encounters. I enjoyed the fact that he didn’t identify the person as male or female because then it become relatable to many more other people. I believe the author is trying to paint the picture of this encounter in his reader’s head. I believe he is trying to make the reader remember back to a time when he/she had this happen to them while reading the poem. In my opinion he was successful in doing this. I did not have any problems with the poem, or questions. I would not change anything about it.
