‘Constantly Risking Absurdity’ is a poem that was first published in 1958 in the collection ‘Á Coney
Island of the Mind: Poems by Lawrence Ferlinghetti. Lawrence Ferlinghetti’s poems are often
straightforward and uses language that are easy for readers to understand. The imagery of this
specific poem, however, is accessible in a way that many poems are not. Lawrence Ferlinghetti uses
descriptive and figurative language to emphasis the complex relationship between a poet and his
literary creations (Constantly Risking Absurdity by Lawrence Ferlinghetti, n.d.).
The poem’s structure is written in such a way that one can easily relate it to circus images. It appears
the lines are swaying back and forth and then regaining balance, just like an acrobat experiences
when walking across a high wire. This can also indicate the difficulty a poet experiences when
producing a piece of literature – they struggle to find the right words and constantly go back and
forth in their mind, conflicted about word choice and the message and eventually, achieve balance.
Through this poem the poet is interested in the quest to reach the ultimate perch on with beauty
exist. Through writing, the poet seeks out the truth which is something that is unattainable. truth,
beauty, the perfect poem is all out of reach even if one is able to make some progress across the
high wire (Constantly Risking Absurdity by Lawrence Ferlinghetti, n.d.).
This poem relates to the physical description the poet makes so we understand how something
looks, tastes, smells, feels and sounds. Descriptive words can entertain, inform and educate the
reader on what the poet’s point is (Kane, 2006).
“above a sea of faces
paces his way
to the other side of day
performing entrechats
and sleight-of-foot tricks
and other high theatrics”
The phrase “a sea of faces” uses descriptive language to indicate that the number of people present
in the audience appears to be immeasurable, like the sea, and holds an anxious and nervous tone as
the acrobat, and metaphorically the poet, performs. The word “paces” adds to the anxious tone as
one tends to pace when nervous and describes the way in which the performer is walking; back and
forth. The phrase “sleight-of-foot tricks” is another descriptive segment used in order to identify
how quickly, smoothly and professionally the acrobat, and the poet, appears to be performing. The
words “tricks” and “theatrics” indicate that the speaker moves with the intention of entertaining his
audience, an audience which will not be delighted by simple movement (J.Hamann, 2017).
Figurative language often includes metaphors, similes, personification and hyperbole. Figurative
language is when the poet uses a word or phrase that does not have its normal every day, literal
meaning. Often times the poet will use figurative language to enable readers to use their
imagination to compare two unlikely things (Kane, 2006).
“CONSTANTLY risking absurdity
and death whenever he performs
above the heads
of his audience
Island of the Mind: Poems by Lawrence Ferlinghetti. Lawrence Ferlinghetti’s poems are often
straightforward and uses language that are easy for readers to understand. The imagery of this
specific poem, however, is accessible in a way that many poems are not. Lawrence Ferlinghetti uses
descriptive and figurative language to emphasis the complex relationship between a poet and his
literary creations (Constantly Risking Absurdity by Lawrence Ferlinghetti, n.d.).
The poem’s structure is written in such a way that one can easily relate it to circus images. It appears
the lines are swaying back and forth and then regaining balance, just like an acrobat experiences
when walking across a high wire. This can also indicate the difficulty a poet experiences when
producing a piece of literature – they struggle to find the right words and constantly go back and
forth in their mind, conflicted about word choice and the message and eventually, achieve balance.
Through this poem the poet is interested in the quest to reach the ultimate perch on with beauty
exist. Through writing, the poet seeks out the truth which is something that is unattainable. truth,
beauty, the perfect poem is all out of reach even if one is able to make some progress across the
high wire (Constantly Risking Absurdity by Lawrence Ferlinghetti, n.d.).
This poem relates to the physical description the poet makes so we understand how something
looks, tastes, smells, feels and sounds. Descriptive words can entertain, inform and educate the
reader on what the poet’s point is (Kane, 2006).
“above a sea of faces
paces his way
to the other side of day
performing entrechats
and sleight-of-foot tricks
and other high theatrics”
The phrase “a sea of faces” uses descriptive language to indicate that the number of people present
in the audience appears to be immeasurable, like the sea, and holds an anxious and nervous tone as
the acrobat, and metaphorically the poet, performs. The word “paces” adds to the anxious tone as
one tends to pace when nervous and describes the way in which the performer is walking; back and
forth. The phrase “sleight-of-foot tricks” is another descriptive segment used in order to identify
how quickly, smoothly and professionally the acrobat, and the poet, appears to be performing. The
words “tricks” and “theatrics” indicate that the speaker moves with the intention of entertaining his
audience, an audience which will not be delighted by simple movement (J.Hamann, 2017).
Figurative language often includes metaphors, similes, personification and hyperbole. Figurative
language is when the poet uses a word or phrase that does not have its normal every day, literal
meaning. Often times the poet will use figurative language to enable readers to use their
imagination to compare two unlikely things (Kane, 2006).
“CONSTANTLY risking absurdity
and death whenever he performs
above the heads
of his audience
