Carl Phillips reads “Effort at Speech Between Two People”

The video explores Muriel Rukeyser's poem 'Effort at Speech Between Two People', focusing on themes of communication and missed connections. It delves into personal reflections from childhood to adolescence, highlighting emotions of happiness, loneliness, and the desire for connection. The narrative reveals struggles with unrequited love and the longing for meaningful interaction amidst isolation.

What themes of communication are explored in the poem?

Discuss the impact of childhood memories as presented in the poem.

How does the speaker express their feelings of happiness or unhappiness throughout the poem?

What significance does the imagery of sailing have in the poem?

What does the speaker mean by 'if we could touch one another' in the context of the poem?