Tissue

Question 1

“Paper that lets the light

shine through, …”

Answer 1

Dharker uses light as a symbol of enlightenment and truth, suggesting the potential for knowledge and power inherent in even the simplest of materials.

Question 2

“… this

is what could alter things.”

Answer 2

The poet hints at the transformative power of paper, suggesting its ability to influence change and shape destinies, highlighting the significance of seemingly mundane objects.

Question 3

“the kind [of paper] you find in well-used books,”

Answer 3

Dharker draws parallels between the ageing of paper and the passage of time in human life, implying that experience and wisdom are gained through both.

Question 4

“If buildings were paper, I might

feel their drift,…”

Answer 4

Through the hypothetical scenario of paper buildings, Dharker critiques the rigidity of human constructions, advocating for adaptability and fluidity.

Question 5

“Maps too. The sun shines through

their borderlines,…”

Answer 5

The poet uses the image of sunlight penetrating maps to underscore the overpowering force of nature, suggesting that human boundaries and divisions are ultimately meaningless in the face of natural forces.

Question 6

“Fine slips from grocery shops

that say how much was sold”

Answer 6

Dharker critiques the dominance of consumerism and material wealth, suggesting that the pursuit of monetary gain can lead to a loss of autonomy and control over one’s life.

Question 7

“An architect could use all this,

place layer over layer, …”

Answer 7

Through the metaphor of architectural design, Dharker explores the transient nature of human creations, advocating for a more fluid and adaptable approach to life rather than rigid structures.

Question 8

“the kind you find in well-used books,

the back of the Koran, …”

Answer 8

• The poet suggests that even though paper grows older and thinner, it does not lose its importance.
• Paper is powerful, and Dharker uses the example of a religious book to demonstrate this.

Question 9

“Find a way to trace a grand design

with living tissue, …”

Answer 9

Dharker suggests that true beauty and significance lie in the brief and transient aspects of life, advocating for a deeper appreciation of the impermanent and ever-changing nature of existence.

Question 10

“of paper smoothed and stroked

and thinned to be transparent,

turned into your skin.”

Answer 10

The poet concludes by equating the fragility of paper with the vulnerability of human life, urging readers to embrace the transient and delicate nature of existence, finding beauty in its impermanence.