Meanwhile, memorize

The argument about poetry

comes back often,

is it academic

or a feeling?

The classicists insist:

one must deconstruct,

study Latin and Greek, and etymology,

or at least Middle English.

Shakespeare, they say,

writes in a language that is laudable;

learners owe to their intellect,

and the Upstart Crow,

their most enlightened readings.

And then there are the modernists--

my term.

They love students, especially minorities,

long for them to enjoy all things literary

without stumbles.

They swear there’s nothing “to get”;

you see Ithaca in a text?

Skip or pause, as you feel,

no need to have journeyed with Ulysses.

Some folks,

I among them,

claim no side or proficiency,

and wait instead for the denouement.

But should a line or few float into our memory

like a leaf or a scent carried by a tender breeze,

we take notice

and welcome the ancient practice: 

arguments there will be,

but meanwhile, memorize.