Insomnia - A poem by Elizabeth Bishop

Elizabeth Bishop - Insomnia

The moon in the bureau mirror
looks out a million miles
(and perhaps with pride, at herself,
but she never, never smiles)
far and away beyond sleep, or
perhaps she's a daytime sleeper.

By the Universe deserted,
she'd tell it to go to hell,
and she'd find a body of water,
or a mirror, on which to dwell.
So wrap up care in a cobweb
and drop it down the well

into that world inverted
where left is always right,
where the shadows are really the body,
where we stay awake all night,
where the heavens are shallow as the sea
is now deep, and you love me.

Added: on October 8th, 2008 at 6:33 AM | Viewed: 14217 times | Comments (14)

Insomnia - Comments and Information
Poet: Elizabeth Bishop Poem: Insomnia Poem of the Day on: Apr 7 2006 Comment 14 of 14, added on March 30th, 2009 at 4:14 PM. Yes, Elizabeth Bishop may have been in love with women, but that does not necessarily make this a "lesbian" poem. The poet is in love, but she can't be with the one she wants to be with the most. Laura from United States Comment 13 of 14, added on October 24th, 2008 at 12:42 AM. I agree with what Francis said about not reading this as a "lesbian" poem. Bishop is known for being unlike other modernist contemporary poets, who wrote in the "personal event confessional" style, such as Lowell. While obviously, she did incorporate her own feelings/experiences, her emotions portrayed in her poems are subtle enough that these poems really can relate to anyone. Elaine from United States Comment 12 of 14, added on October 8th, 2008 at 6:33 AM. To be in a minority of any kind is to feel remote from the Universe, that is, the universe of one's social group. You may tell that universe to go to hell, but it will not, because it is stronger than you. It may say "It's OK, we understand your position" but it doesn't and you have to walk a precarious (left is right) line all the time, because that universe will break out any time and wreak its revenge on you for being different. Kevin from United Kingdom More Comments >> Are you looking for more information on this poem? Perhaps you are trying to analyze it? The poem, Insomnia, has received 14 comments. Click here to read them, and perhaps post a comment of your own. Of course you can also always discuss poems by Elizabeth Bishop with others on the Poetry Connection poetry forum!

Poem Info
Insomnia Last read: 2009-11-21 22:00:01 Poem of the Day on: Apr 7 2006 Viewed 14217 times. Added on October 8th, 2008 at 6:33 AM.

Bishop Info
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