Over at Ethical ELA last month, host Amber Harrison invited Open Write participants to compose a poem inspired by Walt Whitman’s “Song of Myself”:
I celebrate myself, and sing myself,
And what I assume you shall assume,
For every atom belonging to me as good as belongs to you.
The idea being to fill in these blanks:
I celebrate____.
And what I _______you _____.
For every ___________ me as good
_______ you.
My poem:
Grandmothering
I celebrate the immutable now.
And what I pour of myself, you drink—a transubstantiation of sorts,
blood-memory in the making.
For every day, in passing, decreases me as good
as it increases you.
As anyone in a writing community knows, giving and receiving comments is the stuff we feed on to keep going. One of my fellow Open Write participants (“tellio”) offered this astonishing reponse to my poem:
Here is an explication of your poem by the AI Perplexity. It is, in a way a backfilling in of the lines. I wonder what Uncle Walty would make of it.
“Grandmothering” is a poem that delves into the profound connection between generations, particularly the relationship between a grandmother and her grandchild. The poem celebrates the present moment, emphasizing its unchanging nature, hence the phrase “the immutable now.” The act of sharing and passing on experiences, wisdom, and love is likened to a sacred transformation, described as a “transubstantiation of sorts,” evoking the religious concept of the Eucharist, where bread and wine are transformed into the body and blood of Christ.
The line “And what I pour of myself, you drink” vividly captures the idea of the grandmother imparting her essence to her grandchild, who receives it eagerly and completely. This exchange is described as a “blood-memory in the making,” suggesting that the bond between them is not only emotional and intellectual but also deeply rooted in their shared heritage and lineage.
The final two lines, “For every day, in passing, decreases me as good as it increases you,” encapsulate the bittersweet reality of this intergenerational relationship. As the grandmother imparts her knowledge and love to her grandchild, she recognizes that her own time and energy are finite. Each day that passes diminishes her own vitality and presence, yet simultaneously enriches and empowers the younger generation. In essence, “Grandmothering” beautifully captures the timeless cycle of giving and receiving between generations, acknowledging both the sacrifices and the joys inherent in this process. It speaks to the enduring significance of familial connections and the profound impact of legacy and heritage on our lives.
Oh, Perplexity. You have me weeping over the way you’ve pulled all that’s behind the poem and in my heart out into the open. How profoundly you understand the depths of my soul.
And you aren’t even human.
Or alive.
I celebrate the immutable now
*******
Composed for Day 18 of the Slice of Life Story Challenge with Two Writing Teachers
lit bits and pieces 
Speechless over here over your exquisite poem and AI’s ability to analyze it. Could you imagine if this tech could help people understand each other better? Or will it just tell us what to think? So much food for thought this morning, especially since the topic of your poem is what I have been thinking about, but on the receiving end.
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Thank you for your words about the poem, Cindy…about being on the receiving end: Trust me, your grandmother would have given her all for you; this I know from my own and from walking in her shoes now. And OH, if only AI could help us all understand each other and have empathy for one another!
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I agree with Ciindy – speechless as both poem and AI’s analysis are spot-on to what I now know as this stage in my identity web labeled Grandmother. I type this through my own tears. Such a concept – decreasing me – increasing you. Thank you for sharing!
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Thank you for your words and the tears, Sally – I know they are born of great grandmothering love! It is the best.
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Fran, wow! I remember the poem like yesterday, but somehow I missed the AI interpretation of it before today. You’re right – – it absolutely seems human in its understanding of the essence of the poem. The photo of you and Micah is so sweet, and she looks so much like you. I am speechless about the AI analysis. I didn’t think it had it in it to be so insightful and understanding of human nature.
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The AI feedback blew my mind. It’s astonishingly human… almost superhuman, which is alarming. My Micah is attached to me as much as I was, as I am, to my own grandmother. Perplexity nailed the celebration of family and legacy – just wild.
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I concur! Your poem is remarkably vulnerable, honest, and complex. And then the AI’s interpretation…wow…it gives so much more depth to the piece. You are such an amazing writer!
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Thank you so much, Jennifer, for this response! Your words mean much – AI can only give back what it is fed. Still…it blew my mind.
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That is amazing! You have written a beautiful poem (I am a grandmother, too) and amazingly, AI has understood it.
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I am still floored by Perplexity’s analysis of the poem. It does simulate human thought – I couldn’t have imagined this extent. I so appreciate your word about the poem and I know, as a grandmother yourself, that you truly understand – you have lived it, too!
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Your poem is lovely, and the AI interpretation brings out the deeper meaning in many ways. I am a fan of finding the essence, which you did, and not much of a fan of AI. It did remind me of my high school teachers interpreting poetry, when I always wondered, “How do they know this?” I do like the human explanations much better.
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I’ll be honest – AI is more than a little alarming. I cherish the interpretation, but…anything coming from a human heart, so much more. Thank you 🙂
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Okay, Fran. I now have a newfound reverence for AI. It analyzed your poem expertly! Who knew?! When I play with it to see what kind of poetry it can create, I disappointed and then happy!
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Joanne, I never imagined that AI could produce such an interpretation. I am awed…but then I remember that humans are ultimately behind it, feeding it what it needs to “think like a human.” Also awe-inspiring…but no replacement for what comes directly from the heart.
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Agreed! I’m so glad we’ve become writing friends! Your posts brighten my days!
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And you brighten mine, dear friend! ❤
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I loved the poem. Frame poems are so fun and you take Whitman’s youthful speaker and infuse the wisdom of someone who sees her time with her granddaughter as something worth cherishing beyond self celebration. Thanks! AI nailed the response.
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Thank you, Thomas…I so appreciate your response to the poem, and the depth of your insight. Perplexity awed me…but is no match for real intelligence and actual heart.
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I love the poem and amazing that AI also so the beauty and the depth of your writing!
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Thank you so much for these beautiful words, Joanne!
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I am frightened by AI, and now I see why. That analysis is far better than anything I could’ve written even though I say “of course” with each statement. AI seems to be more aware of us as humans than we, the humans, are. Your poem is beautiful and original (or is it?) See…scary.
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AI is frightening, Margaret – I would even say terrifying. I think: How is this even possible? I try to take comfort that AI is programmed by humans to respond like humans…but it is otherworldly. Thank you for your words about the poem…I know they came from a real heart!
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Oh my, what a poem. It expresses what it is to be a grandmother with such depth. I can’t believe the layers of meaning in the AI response; I am usually highly suspicious of AI and what it’s ultimate aim is and how it will be used, but the interpretation is so poignant, I am amazed.
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I thought the same, Celia – I couldn’t believe the depth of Perplexity’s response. I cannot help but treasure it – even though it didn’t come from anything human, which feels so bizarre.
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this is such a beautiful poem
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Thank you!
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