Ars Poetica by Brooke1020

Ars Poetica is a poem written by Archibald MacLeish, and it is poem written about why a poem shouldn't necessarily have a meaning but should just be.  Throughout this poem it uses symbols to show how poetry can be dumb, "palpable and mute", wordless, motionless, and not true.  Some examples of the symbolism's used are: the idea of a moon lurking through leaves and branches compared to memories, a flight of birds having direction but are wordless, and a medallion to a thumb is symbolized for dumb.  Also, he says direct lines like, "A poem should not mean...But be."  Basically, his approach is simple and just allows poetry to be words on a page without having to have a meaning.  I like this idea because I believe certain poetry can create different responses from different people.  Just as in English class when a poem is presented, everyone has their own interpretation.  I think there is a leniency that this author allows in this poem which creates an atmosphere that allows people to be free with poetry.