Sweat the day away,
blend into
the quiet, gray-green pool
of mid-July,
hiding en plein-air,
zeroing in on the finale,
on the joy
of another phrase to strikethrough
(as if we can ever mark ‘paid’
To what cannot be concluded
Or disposed of).
One of the most helpful functions of generative AI chat is, as Paul Allison calls it, to have a “thinking partner”. In my case I have been using ChatGPT to reflect back to me whether my poetry is too opaque. I have been including explications in my posts as a way to help my readers who find poetry to be intentionally opaque rather than intentional–intentional word choice, sound choice, rhythmic choice, and generally artistic choices of tone and tempo (and way more).
Here is my thinking partner’s explication. I find it to be a fair unfolding of the poem, far from complete, but fair.
“TO-DO-LIST” is a poem that reflects on the nature of productivity and the limitations of our efforts to achieve completion or resolution. Here’s an interpretation of the poem:
The first line, “Sweat the day away,” suggests a sense of labor or exertion, implying that one should work hard throughout the day. This sets the tone for the poem, emphasizing the theme of productivity.
The phrase “blend into the quiet, gray-green pool of mid-July” depicts a tranquil and somewhat stagnant atmosphere. It captures the essence of a hot summer day, where time seems to slow down, and there is a sense of stillness in the air.
The line “hiding en plein-air” introduces an element of hiding or seeking refuge. It could imply the desire to escape the pressures of daily life or the demands of the to-do list. The phrase “zeroing in on the finale” suggests a focus on the end result, the completion or accomplishment that one strives for.
The poem then emphasizes the fleeting nature of achievement with the line “on the joy of another phrase to strikethrough.” Here, the act of striking through an item on a to-do list symbolizes accomplishment, but it also implies the temporary nature of that satisfaction. The speaker finds joy in crossing off completed tasks, but it acknowledges that this is merely another step in an ongoing process.
The lines that follow, “(as if we can ever mark ‘paid’ / To what cannot be concluded / Or disposed of),” express the futility of trying to fully complete or resolve something that is inherently ongoing or unfinished. The phrase “mark ‘paid'” suggests the desire to bring closure or finality to a task, yet the speaker acknowledges that certain things cannot be definitively concluded or disposed of. There is a recognition that some aspects of life and our to-do lists remain perpetual or unresolved.
Overall, “TO-DO-LIST” invites contemplation on the nature of productivity and the limitations of our attempts to achieve finality. It suggests that while we may find satisfaction in crossing off completed tasks, there are certain things in life that defy neat conclusions and persist in an ongoing cycle.
