Original Poem：
35? I have been looking forward
To you for many years now
So much so that
I feel you and I are old
Friends and so on this day, 35
I propose a toast to
Me and You
35? From this day on
I swear before the bountiful
Osiris that
If I ever
If I EVER
Try to bring out the
Best in folks again I
Want somebody to take me
Outside and kick me up and
Down the sidewalk or
Sit me in a corner with a
Funnel on my head
Make me as hard as a rock
35, like the fellow in
The story about the
Big one that got away
Let me laugh my head off
With Moby Dick as we reminisce
About them suckers who went
Down with the
Pequod
35? I ain’t been mean enough
Make me real real mean
Mean as old Marie rolling her eyes
Mean as the town Bessie sings about
“Where all the birds sing bass”
35? Make me Tennessee mean
Cobra mean
Cuckoo mean
Injun mean
Dracula mean
Beethovenian-brows mean
Miles Davis mean
Don’t-offer-assistance-when
Quicksand-is-tugging-some-poor
Dope-under-mean
Pawnbroker mean
Pharaoh mean
That’s it, 35
Make me Pharaoh mean
Mean as can be
Mean as the dickens
Meaner than mean
When I walk down the street
I want them to whisper
There goes Mr. Mean
“He’s double mean
He even turned the skeletons
In his closet out into
The cold”
And 35?
Don’t let me trust anybody
Over Reed but
Just in case
Put a tail on that
Negro too
February 22, 1973
Analysis and Interpretation of the Poem
This poem, written on the occasion of turning 35, is a vivid and intense reflection on maturity, self-expectations, and personal transformation. The speaker addresses the age "35" as if it were an old friend, signaling a long anticipation and a complex relationship with this milestone. The poem blends humor, defiance, and a raw emotional tone to explore themes of identity, strength, and the struggle to bring out the best in others.
The speaker makes a bold vow not to try to bring out the best in people again, suggesting a weariness or frustration with idealism or perhaps failed efforts to improve others. Instead, there is a call for toughness—"Make me as hard as a rock"—and a desire to become "mean" in various vivid and culturally rich ways, from "Tennessee mean" to "Pharaoh mean," emphasizing a transformation into a hardened, unyielding character. This "meanness" is not just cruelty but a metaphor for resilience, self-protection, and perhaps a rejection of naivety.
The poem references literary and cultural figures like Moby Dick and the Pequod, symbolizing epic struggles and losses, and it uses strong imagery ("kick me up and down the sidewalk," "funnel on my head") to convey a sense of harsh discipline or self-imposed punishment. The closing lines evoke suspicion and guardedness, warning against trust except for a select few, highlighting a hardened worldview shaped by experience.
Background and Author Introduction
This poem was written on February 22, 1973, a period marked by significant social and cultural changes worldwide. The early 1970s saw a rise in introspective and confessional poetry, where poets explored personal identity, societal roles, and emotional complexity. The poem’s tone and style suggest it may be influenced by the Beat Generation or postmodern poetry movements, which often embraced raw honesty and rebellious spirit.
The author, whose identity is not explicitly stated here, likely uses this poem as a personal manifesto marking a turning point in life. The invocation of Osiris, an Egyptian god associated with rebirth and the afterlife, hints at themes of renewal and transformation. The poem’s rich cultural references and emotional intensity suggest a writer deeply engaged with both literary tradition and contemporary struggles.
Lessons and Educational Value for Children and Students
Though the poem’s tone is mature and complex, it offers several valuable lessons for young learners:
- Understanding Milestones: The poem personifies turning 35 as a significant life event, encouraging students to think about how age and experience shape identity.
- Emotional Expression: It shows how poetry can express frustration, humor, and resilience, helping students appreciate the power of language to convey complex feelings.
- Cultural References: The poem introduces literary and historical allusions (Moby Dick, Osiris, Pharaoh), offering opportunities to explore these topics further.
- Critical Thinking: Students can analyze the speaker’s vow and attitude toward "meanness," prompting discussions about character traits, empathy, and self-protection.
Practical Applications in Life and Learning
- Self-Reflection: Students can use poetry as a tool to reflect on their own growth and challenges.
- Creative Writing: Encouraged to write about personal milestones or emotions, fostering creativity and self-awareness.
- Literary Analysis: Learning to identify metaphors, symbolism, and cultural allusions enhances reading comprehension and critical thinking.
- Discussion of Values: The poem’s themes can lead to conversations about kindness, toughness, trust, and the balance between them.
Reading Comprehension Exercises
- What is the significance of the number 35 in the poem?
- Why does the speaker want to become "mean"? List at least three types of "mean" mentioned.
- What literary figure is referenced with "Moby Dick" and what does it symbolize in the poem?
- Explain the meaning of the speaker’s vow not to bring out the best in people again.
- What does the poem suggest about trust and relationships at age 35?
Answer Key
- The number 35 represents the speaker’s age and a milestone of maturity and self-reflection. It is treated almost like a friend that the speaker has anticipated meeting.
- The speaker wants to become "mean" to become tougher and more resilient. Types of "mean" mentioned include "Tennessee mean," "Cobra mean," and "Pharaoh mean."
- "Moby Dick" refers to the famous whale in Herman Melville’s novel, symbolizing a great challenge or struggle. The poem uses it to reminisce about past losses and battles.
- The vow suggests the speaker is tired of trying to improve others and wants to stop being idealistic or overly hopeful about people’s goodness.
- The poem implies a guarded attitude toward trust, warning not to trust anyone except a select few, reflecting a hardened outlook shaped by experience.
