what will your verse be?
At the end of his “we don’t read and write poetry because it’s cute” speech in Dead Poets Society, Robin Williams’ character quotes a work by American poet Walt Whitman.
(Yes, another post about poetry, but stick with me.)
Walt Whitman’s poetry is sparse but emotional. He also tends to use a lot of exclamation points.
Let’s go back to that classroom scene where Williams’ character, Mr. Keating, is crouched low with his students gathered around him and pick up at the passion line:
“The human race is filled with passion. And medicine, law, business, engineering, these are noble pursuits and necessary to sustain life. But poetry, beauty, romance, love, these are what we stay alive for. To quote from Whitman…”
(Enter Whitman’s short poem “O Me! O Life!”)
“O me! O life!… of the questions of these recurring; of the endless trains of the faithless… of cities filled with the foolish; what good amid these, O me, O life?”
Pause a second.
Great question Uncle Walt is asking.
Basically, what does any of it matter? What is any of it for?
Back to the poem.
“Answer.
That you are here — that life exists, and identity,
That the powerful play goes on and you may contribute a verse.”
Mr. Keating then repeats the last line and asks the boys a question:
“What will your verse be?”
Boom.
Let that sink in.
“That the powerful play goes on and you may contribute a verse. What will your verse be?”
Life is not about me. But I can contribute a verse.
What is my verse? What is my unique contribution no matter how large or small?
That is a scary question. But also, I think, liberating. Inspiring.
And what I love is that when you consider the question, it’s not just about finding meaning. It’s about contributing.
I can’t consume my way to meaning, I will only get there through contribution. Through service. By bringing out what’s accumulated within me primarily to help and serve others.
I can’t consume my way to meaning, I will only get there through contribution.
When I first saw Dead Poets Society at age 12, I didn’t get that. And I didn’t have a clear answer to the question.
Now at middle age, I still don’t have a clear answer. But I have a hint.
And if you’re struggling at 12 or 52 to find your place among the “the endless trains of the faithless,” maybe start with how you have been best equipped to serve others.
And I simply want to leave us with that question and let it gnaw at us.
The powerful play continues and each of us can contribute a verse.
What will your verse be?
