Mimesis

I had to search for the meaning of its title and how it was relevant to the content of  the poem that I wish to include here!  Why this particular title, MIMESIS ?  According to the Chambers Cambridge Dictionary, “mimesis” is related to “mime” an ancient farcical play of real life; a play without dialogue, relying solely on movement, expression, etc; imitation or representation in art; simulation of one disease by another  What meaning does the author of this poem, Fady Joudah, wish to convey?  Given this moment in our history, how does this provocative poem speak to you? to us?

 

          Mimesis

My daughter

wouldn’t hurt a spider
that had nested
between her bicycle handles
for two weeks
She waited
until it left of its own accord 

 

If you tear down the web I said

it will simply know
this isn’t a place to call home
and you’d get to go biking

 

She said that’s how others

become refugees isn’t it?


Renee Domeier, OSB