Constantly Risking Absurdity by Lawrence Ferlinghetti 2026
Constantly risking absurdity
and death
whenever he performs
above the heads
of his audience
the poet like an acrobat
climbs on rime
to a high wire of his own making
and balancing on eyebeams
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
and all without mistaking
any thing
for what it may not be
For he's the super realist
who must perforce perceive
taut truth
before the taking of each stance or step
in his supposed advance
toward that still higher perch
where Beauty stands and waits
with gravity
to start her death-defying leap
And he
a little charleychaplin man
who may or may not catch
her fair eternal form
spreadeagled in the empty air
of existence
, The phrase suggests that being a poet involves
ongoing danger and uncertainty.
It implies that every act of writing risks failure,
misunderstanding, or being seen as foolish.
Poetry is not safe or predictable; it exposes the
Constantly risking absurdity poet to criticism and rejection.
Despite this, the poet continues, showing courage
and commitment.
The idea highlights that creating meaningful art
requires taking chances and accepting vulnerability
as part of the creative process.
It suggests the poet risks total failure or rejection,
and death where creative collapse feels final and emotionally
devastating, not literal physical death.
This phrase shows that poetry is not something the
poet does privately or occasionally, but something
that happens every time he presents his work.
Writing and sharing a poem is like a performance,
whenever he performs
done in front of others and open to judgment. Each
time the poet creates or shares a poem, he risks
failure, misunderstanding, or rejection, making the
act of poetry continuously challenging and brave.
This phrase suggests that the poet’s work operates
at a higher intellectual or emotional level than
ordinary thinking.
It implies that poetry challenges the audience,
requiring effort to understand. The poet performs
above the heads in a risky space where not everyone may follow or
appreciate the meaning.
It also highlights distance between poet and
audience, increasing vulnerability, since
misunderstanding or rejection is always possible.
This phrase highlights the presence of readers or
listeners who observe and judge the poet’s work.
It suggests that poetry is a public act, not a private
one, and that the poet is exposed to criticism and
of his audience
misunderstanding.
The poet performs in full view of others, creating
pressure and risk, as the audience may not fully
understand or appreciate the poem’s meaning.
Constantly risking absurdity
and death
whenever he performs
above the heads
of his audience
the poet like an acrobat
climbs on rime
to a high wire of his own making
and balancing on eyebeams
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
and all without mistaking
any thing
for what it may not be
For he's the super realist
who must perforce perceive
taut truth
before the taking of each stance or step
in his supposed advance
toward that still higher perch
where Beauty stands and waits
with gravity
to start her death-defying leap
And he
a little charleychaplin man
who may or may not catch
her fair eternal form
spreadeagled in the empty air
of existence
, The phrase suggests that being a poet involves
ongoing danger and uncertainty.
It implies that every act of writing risks failure,
misunderstanding, or being seen as foolish.
Poetry is not safe or predictable; it exposes the
Constantly risking absurdity poet to criticism and rejection.
Despite this, the poet continues, showing courage
and commitment.
The idea highlights that creating meaningful art
requires taking chances and accepting vulnerability
as part of the creative process.
It suggests the poet risks total failure or rejection,
and death where creative collapse feels final and emotionally
devastating, not literal physical death.
This phrase shows that poetry is not something the
poet does privately or occasionally, but something
that happens every time he presents his work.
Writing and sharing a poem is like a performance,
whenever he performs
done in front of others and open to judgment. Each
time the poet creates or shares a poem, he risks
failure, misunderstanding, or rejection, making the
act of poetry continuously challenging and brave.
This phrase suggests that the poet’s work operates
at a higher intellectual or emotional level than
ordinary thinking.
It implies that poetry challenges the audience,
requiring effort to understand. The poet performs
above the heads in a risky space where not everyone may follow or
appreciate the meaning.
It also highlights distance between poet and
audience, increasing vulnerability, since
misunderstanding or rejection is always possible.
This phrase highlights the presence of readers or
listeners who observe and judge the poet’s work.
It suggests that poetry is a public act, not a private
one, and that the poet is exposed to criticism and
of his audience
misunderstanding.
The poet performs in full view of others, creating
pressure and risk, as the audience may not fully
understand or appreciate the poem’s meaning.
