Old Joke By Alan R. Shapiro - Giggle Poems

Original Poem：

Radiant child of Leto, farworking Lord Apollo,
with lyre in hand and golden plectrum, you sang to the gods
on Mount Olympus almost as soon as you were born.
You sang, and the Muses sang in answer, and together
your voices so delighted all your deathless elders
that their perfect happiness was made more perfect still.
What was it, though, that overwhelmed them, that suffused,
astonished, even the endless ether? Was it the freshest,
most wonderful stops of breath, the flawless intervals
and scales whose harmonies were mimicking in sound
the beauty of the gods themselves, or what you joined
to that, what you were singing of, our balked desires,
the miseries we suffer at your indifferent hands,
devastation and bereavement, old age and death?
Farworking, radiant child, what do you know about us?
Here is my father, half blind, and palsied, at the toilet,
he’s shouting at his penis, Piss, you! Piss! Piss!
but the penis (like the heavenly host to mortal prayers)
is deaf and dumb; here, too, my mother with her bad knee,
on the eve of surgery, hobbling by the bathroom,
pausing, saying, who are you talking to in there?
and he replies, no one you would know, sweetheart.
Supernal one, in your untested mastery,
your easy excellence, with nothing to overcome,
and needing nothing but the most calamitous
and abject stories to prove how powerful you are,
how truly free, watch them as they laugh so briefly,
godlike, better than gods, if only for a moment
in which what goes wrong is converted to a rightness,
if only because now she’s hobbling back to bed
where she won’t sleep, if only because he pees at last,
missing the bowl, and has to get down on his knees
to wipe it up. You don’t know anything about us.

Analysis and Interpretation of the Poem

This poem addresses Apollo, the radiant god of music, prophecy, and healing in Greek mythology. It begins by praising Apollo’s divine musical talents, describing how he sang to the gods on Mount Olympus from the moment of his birth, accompanied by the Muses. Their harmonious voices elevated the joy of the immortal gods, suggesting the power and beauty of Apollo’s art.

However, the poem quickly shifts tone, questioning what Apollo truly understands about human suffering. It contrasts the god’s perfect, effortless mastery with the harsh realities of mortal life — illness, aging, physical decline, and death. The poet vividly depicts intimate, painful scenes: a father struggling with paralysis and incontinence, a mother hobbling with a bad knee before surgery. These moments reveal the fragility and indignities of human existence that Apollo’s divine perfection cannot grasp.

The poem critiques the god’s detachment from human suffering, suggesting that Apollo’s art and power are insufficient to fully comprehend or alleviate the everyday struggles of real people. The brief moments of laughter and dignity amid hardship are precious but fleeting, underscoring the resilience of the human spirit despite its frailty.

Background and Author Introduction

This poem is a modern reflection on classical mythology, blending ancient themes with contemporary human experience. The author uses Apollo as a symbol of ideal beauty and divine power, then contrasts this with the raw and often painful reality of human life. This technique invites readers to reconsider the relevance of mythological figures in understanding modern existence.

The poet is known for exploring themes of mortality, suffering, and the human condition through vivid imagery and emotional honesty. By juxtaposing the divine and the mundane, the author challenges the reader to empathize with the imperfect, vulnerable aspects of life that gods traditionally overlook.

Insights and Lessons for Children and Students

From this poem, children and students can learn several important lessons:

• Empathy and Compassion: The poem encourages readers to recognize the struggles of others, especially the elderly or ill, fostering a sense of empathy.
• The Imperfection of Life: It teaches that life includes hardship and vulnerability, which are natural and shared human experiences.
• The Limits of Idealism: The contrast between Apollo’s perfection and human frailty shows that even greatness cannot erase suffering.
• Resilience and Dignity: Despite difficulties, moments of joy and dignity persist, highlighting human strength.

Practical Applications in Life and Study

• In daily life: Understanding the challenges faced by family members, especially elderly relatives, can encourage patience and kindness.
• In literature study: This poem is an example of how classical mythology can be used to explore modern themes.
• In health education: It sensitizes students to physical disabilities and the emotional impact of aging and illness.
• In creative writing: Students can learn how to use contrast and imagery to deepen the emotional impact of their work.

Reading Comprehension Questions

1. Who is the main divine figure addressed in the poem?
2. What musical instrument does Apollo play?
3. How do the Muses respond to Apollo’s singing?
4. What human experiences does the poem contrast with Apollo’s divine perfection?
5. Describe one example from the poem that shows human vulnerability.
6. What is the poem’s overall message about the relationship between gods and humans?
7. How does the poem portray moments of happiness amid suffering?
8. Why does the poet say Apollo "doesn’t know anything about us"?

Answers to the Comprehension Questions

1. The main divine figure addressed is Apollo, the god of music and prophecy.
2. Apollo plays the lyre with a golden plectrum.
3. The Muses sing in answer to Apollo’s song, creating a harmonious duet that delights the gods.
4. The poem contrasts Apollo’s perfection with human misery, old age, illness, and death.
5. One example is the father who is half blind and palsied, struggling with incontinence.
6. The poem suggests that gods, like Apollo, are detached and do not fully understand human suffering.
7. Moments of happiness are brief and fragile, such as laughter or small victories amid hardship.
8. Because Apollo’s divine mastery is untested by real human struggles, he cannot truly comprehend the complexity of mortal life.

This poem offers a profound meditation on the gulf between divine ideals and human reality, inviting readers to appreciate the resilience and dignity found in everyday life despite its inevitable challenges.