Explicating means exploring.

Tonight I am explicating John Donne's "The Funeral". I have really enjoyed breaking this poem apart. At first, I did not realize how difficult breaking down one line of poetry was,until I noticed that you could read a poem ten different ways. All for just one simple line, yikes. But I am learning.
This poem is beautiful because it's talking about death and love. Two cliches. But Donne actually develops the themes into a unique, biological metaphor to posit that love can be idolized-but it can also be rational.crazy. I am pretty sure I had to re read this poem about 20 times before I discovered this all of that information. In a way though, it has been an exploration into the mind of someone. That unpredictability is kind of fascinating. It is moments like these that I am very thankful for my major.
I am also thankful for my friends tonight who made me laugh. I am going to miss them, some for long periods of time, and some for short periods.

Here is the poem. If you would like, you should try it, maybe you'll enjoy it as well.


THE FUNERAL.
by John Donne


WHOEVER comes to shroud me, do not harm,
Nor question much,
That subtle wreath of hair, which crowns my arm ;
The mystery, the sign, you must not touch ;
For 'tis my outward soul,
Viceroy to that, which then to heaven being gone,
Will leave this to control
And keep these limbs, her provinces, from dissolution.

For if the sinewy thread my brain lets fall
Through every part
Can tie those parts, and make me one of all,
Those hairs which upward grew, and strength and art
Have from a better brain,
Can better do 't ; except she meant that I
By this should know my pain,
As prisoners then are manacled, when they're condemn'd to die.

Whate'er she meant by it, bury it with me,
For since I am
Love's martyr, it might breed idolatry,
If into other hands these relics came.
As 'twas humility
To afford to it all that a soul can do,
So 'tis some bravery,
That since you would have none of me, I bury some of you.