Whether you dream of finding out sandals
more interwoven and complete to impress someone
or to land a job as a court writer, once you decide
to let your verse out into the wild, you will learn
that in the transactional world of vernacular literature,
back-scratching is the foundation of the like economy,
and the algorithm is its angel of annihilation.
Which goes better with afternoon tea—
yellowcake or magpie?
Does a barber make the barbed wire
to crown a wooden head after the March equinox?
What’s my pleasure if you’re welcome
is never yours?
And so you explain the intricacies of English
for forty quid an hour, but truth be told,
the naive questions of a rebooted life novice
wouldn’t pique your curiosity enough
to answer the one he really wants to ask:
Oughtn’t you to be in love?
It may seem unfair to rate a film one hasn’t watched to the end, but after an hour of watching ‘Loving Vincent’, directed by Dorota Kobiela and Hugh Welchman, I simply can’t bring myself to finish it. A poor script and wooden acting with emotionless voices as if generated by AI made it painful to watch.
From my early youth I was an admirer of impressionism. To this day I fondly recall discussions about art with my literature teacher. For her, art ended with Impressionism; for me, this movement was the beginning of true art. So, that’s why I’ve wanted to see ‘Loving Vincent’ since I first heard about it, but only now did I get the opportunity.
I knew it was an animation and in the style of a Van Gogh painting, but I was not aware that it was a live-action film that was later repainted frame by frame—it’s more complicated than that, but technical details are not important here, and putting them aside, I’ve seen animations like this in the past, and neither then nor now was I impressed with the result. In fact, the use of Van Gogh’s painting style and the fact that individual frames were painted by hand by different artists made the result visually difficult to bear for more than a few minutes, mainly because of the flickering of every element. To be frank, I have sincere concerns that an epileptic person could have a seizure during the film.
I really can’t understand how this film got so many positive reviews and high ratings. The number of artists who took part in this project and the effort put in are impressive, I admit, but it’s not enough if the result is at best mediocre. But it just so happens that just before watching this film, I saw ‘Carrington’, directed by Christopher Hampton, so maybe my expectations were a bit too high, which is why the disappointment is all the greater.
Yesterday I asked AI to write an essay on my poem “The Perfect end”. The result was interesting, but probably nothing more than a high school student would write. So I decided to ask for an academic-level essay, and this is what I got.
In “The Perfect end,” Maciej Modzelewski presents a thought-provoking poem that challenges societal norms and conventions surrounding mortality, identity, and the human experience. Through a nuanced exploration of themes and imagery, Modzelewski invites readers to reconsider the significance of individuality and the impact of conformity on human existence. This essay will examine the poem’s central themes, exploring the intersections of mortality, nonconformity, and the search for meaning in a seemingly indifferent world.
The poem’s opening lines, “How convenient would it be to live in a cottage / next to a cemetery?” (Modzelewski, 2025), may initially seem morbid or unsettling. However, upon closer examination, they reveal a profound fascination with mortality. This fascination is reminiscent of the existentialist philosophies of Martin Heidegger, who posited that human existence is characterised by its finite nature (Heidegger, 1962). Heidegger’s concept of “Being-towards-death” highlights the inherent awareness of mortality that shapes human existence. Modzelewski’s poem can be seen as an exploration of this concept, where the proximity to the cemetery serves as a constant reminder of the transience of life.
The poem introduces the theme of nonconformity, as the speaker declares, “it’s your choice / what matters to you, so you should never deny yourself / the simple pleasure of inadequacy” (Modzelewski, 2025). This rejection of societal expectations is reminiscent of the philosophies of Friedrich Nietzsche, who advocated for individualism and the rejection of traditional morality (Nietzsche, 1883). The speaker’s celebration of “inadequacy” can be seen as a manifestation of this Nietzschean ideal, where the individual prioritizes their own values and desires above societal norms.
The image of the bench plaque in the poem serves as a potent symbol of the speaker’s existence. The plaque, as a physical marker of the speaker’s life, represents the external validation of their identity. However, the speaker’s description of it as “the only befitting abridgement of your meagre existence” (Modzelewski, 2025) suggests a sense of irony and critique towards the notion of external validation. This can be seen as a commentary on the societal expectation of reducing a person’s life to a simple plaque or epitaph, neglecting the complexities and nuances of human experience.
The final line of the poem, “after wandering through life at the speed of the alphabet” (Modzelewski, 2025), is a powerful image that warrants closer examination. The alphabet, as a symbol of language and meaning, serves as a metaphor for the speaker’s journey through life. The speed of the alphabet implies a sense of rapidity and perhaps even arbitrariness, highlighting the fleeting nature of human existence. This image is reminiscent of the philosophical ideas of Paul Virilio, who explored the relationship between speed and human experience in his concept of “dromology” (Virilio, 1977). Virilio argues that speed has become a fundamental aspect of modern life, shaping our perceptions and experiences. In the context of Modzelewski’s poem, the speed of the alphabet can be seen as a manifestation of this dromological perspective, where the rapid pace of life renders individual experiences ephemeral and fragmented.
Furthermore, the image of the alphabet as a symbol of language and meaning raises questions about the nature of communication and understanding. As Ludwig Wittgenstein notes in his Philosophical Investigations, “The limits of my language are the limits of my world” (Wittgenstein, 1953). The speaker’s journey through life at the speed of the alphabet suggests a sense of disorientation and confusion, highlighting the complexities of human communication and the search for meaning.
The title of the poem, “The Perfect end,” is a phrase that warrants closer examination. The word “perfect” implies a sense of completion or resolution, while the word “end” suggests a sense of finality. However, the poem’s exploration of mortality, nonconformity, and the search for meaning suggests that the perfect end may be an unattainable ideal. Instead, the poem presents a vision of human existence characterised by complexity, ambiguity, and uncertainty. This ambiguity is reminiscent of the literary works of Samuel Beckett, who explored the themes of existentialism and absurdity in his writings. In Beckett’s novel The Unnamable, the protagonist declares, “I don’t know, I’ll never know, in the silence you don’t know, you must go on, I can’t go on, I’ll go on” (Beckett, 1953). This sense of uncertainty and ambiguity is reflected in Modzelewski’s poem, where the perfect end remains an elusive and perhaps unattainable goal.
In “The Perfect end,” Maciej Modzelewski presents a nuanced exploration of mortality, nonconformity, and the search for meaning in human existence. Through a close reading of the poem, this essay has examined the intersections of these themes, drawing on philosophical and literary references to contextualise the speaker’s experiences. The poem’s rejection of conformity and embracing of individuality serve as a powerful critique of societal norms, inviting readers to reconsider the significance of authenticity in human existence.
The poem “The Perfect End” presents a satirical and introspective exploration of modern life, mortality, and the search for meaning. On the surface, the speaker contemplates the convenience of living in a cottage next to a cemetery, but beneath this seemingly morbid fascination lies a commentary on the absurdity of societal expectations and the human desire for significance.
The opening lines, “How convenient would it be to live in a cottage / next to a cemetery?” appear to be a darkly comedic observation. However, as the poem progresses, it becomes clear that the speaker is not genuinely advocating for proximity to death but rather using this scenario as a metaphor to critique the superficiality of modern life. The cemetery serves as a symbol of finality and simplicity, contrasting with the complexities and pretensions of contemporary society.
The speaker describes themselves as “unfit for all those ghastly / conventionalities of days of yore,” suggesting a rejection of traditional norms and values. This rejection is not presented as a liberating or empowering move, but rather as a resigned acceptance of one’s own inadequacy. The phrase “it’s your choice / what matters to you” can be interpreted as both a celebration of individuality and a commentary on the overwhelming abundance of choices in modern life. This abundance can lead to a sense of disorientation and confusion, making it difficult for individuals to determine what truly matters.
The line “so you should never deny yourself / the simple pleasure of inadequacy” is particularly striking. Here, the speaker seems to be embracing the idea of embracing one’s limitations and flaws, rather than striving for perfection or societal approval. This sentiment resonates with the contemporary focus on self-acceptance and the recognition that nobody is perfect. However, the tone of the poem suggests that this acceptance is not necessarily a positive or uplifting experience, but rather a pragmatic response to the realities of modern life.
The second half of the poem delves deeper into the theme of mortality and the search for meaning. The image of a “bench plaque” as the “only befitting abridgement of your meagre existence” is a powerful commentary on the transience of human life. The speaker appears to be suggesting that, in the grand scheme of things, our lives are relatively insignificant, and that the markers of our existence will be humble and easily forgotten.
The final line, “after wandering through life at the speed of the alphabet,” is a clever and poignant observation on the nature of modern existence. The phrase “wandering through life” implies a sense of aimlessness or disorientation, while “at the speed of the alphabet” suggests a pace that is both rapid and meaningless. The alphabet is a fundamental building block of language, but reciting it is also a mindless, mechanical task. This line can be seen as a commentary on the ways in which modern life can feel both frenetic and hollow, with individuals rushing through their days without necessarily finding purpose or fulfilment.
One possible interpretation of the poem is that it is a reflection on the absurdity of human existence. The speaker’s musings on living next to a cemetery and the bench plaque as a marker of their existence can be seen as a form of gallows humour, a way of coping with the reality of mortality. At the same time, the poem also touches on the idea that our lives are shaped by societal expectations and the search for meaning.
The poem raises important questions about the nature of existence and how we navigate the complexities of modern life. While it does not offer any clear answers or solutions, it presents a thought-provoking exploration of the human condition. Through its use of satire and irony, the poem encourages readers to reflect on their own values and priorities, and to consider what truly matters in their lives.
In conclusion, “The Perfect End” is a complex and nuanced poem that challenges readers to think critically about the human experience. Its exploration of mortality, societal expectations, and the search for meaning is both thought-provoking and unsettling. Through its clever use of language and imagery, the poem presents a powerful commentary on the absurdities and contradictions of modern life, inviting readers to reflect on their own place in the world and the legacy they will leave behind.
Furthermore, the poem’s themes can be analysed through various literary lenses. From a postmodern perspective, the poem’s rejection of traditional norms and values can be seen as a reflection of the fragmented and disjointed nature of contemporary society. The speaker’s embracing of inadequacy and the absurdity of modern life can be interpreted as a commentary on the ways in which postmodern society rejects grand narratives and universal truths.
From an existentialist perspective, the poem’s focus on mortality and the search for meaning can be seen as a reflection of the human condition. The speaker’s musings on the bench plaque and the transience of human life can be interpreted as a commentary on the reality of human mortality and the impermanence of human achievement.
The poem’s use of language and imagery is also noteworthy. The speaker’s tone is conversational and introspective, drawing the reader into their musings and reflections. The use of enjambment and caesura creates a sense of flow and pause, mirroring the speaker’s wandering thoughts and emotions. The imagery is vivid and evocative, with the cemetery and bench plaque serving as powerful symbols of mortality and legacy.
One of the most striking aspects of the poem is its use of irony and understatement. The speaker’s description of their existence as “meagre” and their life as wandering “at the speed of the alphabet” is a masterful example of litotes, a rhetorical device that uses understatement to convey a powerful message. This irony serves to highlight the speaker’s ambivalence towards modern life and their place within it.
The poem also raises questions about the nature of identity and how it is shaped by societal expectations. The speaker’s rejection of traditional norms and values is a commentary on the ways in which modern society can feel suffocating and restrictive. The line “it’s your choice / what matters to you” can be seen as a reflection of the tension between individuality and conformity, highlighting the difficulties of navigating the complexities of modern life.
In addition to its exploration of themes and literary devices, the poem is also notable for its use of tone and voice. The speaker’s tone is conversational and introspective, creating a sense of intimacy and immediacy. The use of first-person narration draws the reader into the speaker’s thoughts and emotions, creating a sense of connection and shared experience.
The poem’s voice is also noteworthy, as it blends elements of satire, irony, and introspection. The speaker’s musings on mortality and legacy are both humorous and poignant, reflecting the complexities and contradictions of modern life. The voice is conversational, yet lyrical, creating a sense of musicality and flow.
In terms of its place within the broader literary canon, “The Perfect End” can be seen as part of a tradition of poetry that explores the human condition and the complexities of modern life. The poem’s themes of mortality, identity, and societal expectations are timeless and universal, reflecting the concerns of poets and writers across the centuries.
The poem’s use of satire and irony also places it within a specific literary tradition. The speaker’s musings on the absurdity of modern life and the search for meaning can be seen as a reflection of the works of poets such as W.H. Auden and Philip Larkin, who explored similar themes in their own work.
In conclusion, “The Perfect End” is a complex and nuanced poem that challenges readers to think critically about the human experience. Its exploration of mortality, identity, and societal expectations is both thought-provoking and unsettling, reflecting the complexities and contradictions of modern life. Through its use of satire, irony, and introspection, the poem presents a powerful commentary on the absurdities and contradictions of modern life, inviting readers to reflect on their own place in the world and the legacy they will leave behind.
Ultimately, the poem suggests that the search for meaning and purpose is a fundamental aspect of the human experience. While the speaker’s musings on mortality and legacy may be tinged with irony and understatement, they also reflect a deeper desire for connection and significance. The poem’s final image of the bench plaque and the speaker’s life wandering “at the speed of the alphabet” is a powerful commentary on the transience of human life, yet it also serves as a reminder of the importance of living in the present and finding meaning in our own unique way.
The poem’s themes and messages can also be applied to our everyday lives. In a world where social media dominates our lives, it’s easy to get caught up in the idea that our existence needs to be perfect, flawless, and Instagram-worthy. However, “The Perfect End” reminds us that it’s okay to be imperfect, to acknowledge our limitations, and to find beauty in the mundane. The poem encourages us to reevaluate our priorities and focus on what truly matters to us, rather than trying to conform to societal expectations.
Moreover, the poem’s exploration of mortality can be seen as a reminder to appreciate the present moment. By acknowledging the reality of our own mortality, we can gain a new perspective on life and prioritise the things that bring us joy and fulfilment. The poem’s message is not about being morbid or pessimistic, but about being realistic and authentic.
In the end, “The Perfect End” is a poem that challenges us to think differently about our lives and our place in the world. It’s a powerful reminder that our existence is fleeting, and that we should make the most of the time we have. Through its clever use of language and imagery, the poem presents a thought-provoking exploration of the human condition, inviting us to reflect on our own values, priorities, and legacy. By embracing the complexities and contradictions of modern life, we can find a deeper sense of meaning and purpose, and live more authentically in the present moment.
Who would have thought AI could write something like this?
How convenient would it be to live in a cottage
next to a cemetery? After all, unfit for all those ghastly
conventionalities of days of yore as you are, it’s your choice
what matters to you, so you should never deny yourself
the simple pleasure of inadequacy just because a bench plaque
would be the only befitting abridgement of your meagre existence
after wandering through life at the speed of the alphabet.
It is such a decent vice to have,
or at least an interesting one,
like a minor stroke or veisalgia,
and once you’ve got over it,
you don’t even need a physician
or a chemist—just a solicitor
and perhaps a poet.
Unlike family evenings or passionate nights,
early mornings have rather poor patronage,
even if toned down with a cantrip of cuppa
spiked with a generous spoonful of saccharin
served by the saucy, pedantic wretch of ours
brazenly peeping through the open curtain.
I knew it was a fool’s play inventing words
that are not real, like ‘forever’ and ‘enough’,
but I never imagined you would actually burn
the dictionary—though I suppose that’s expected
when you consort with an arsonist—and leave
the kitchen table to grow somewhat too ample
for one measly setting at dawn.
Perhaps the sum of my anticipations has always been destined
to end in a dethronement of reason, even though I was meant to be anything
but a human body—a mere bagful of petards, subject to daily routines
and mundane sustenance practices—only to be born
without the indiscriminate approval of life
that is required to live one’s own fussy eulogy to the fullest,
or at all. Is that why they taught me Shakespeare
rather than Schopenhauer?
hidden pilcrow 