Rediscovering the Quest for Balance
In Conversation with Elijah A. Bland No. 03
In our conversation about E. A. Bland's poignant piece, "Young Man’s Confusion", we delved deep into the themes of self-acceptance, societal expectations, and the journey from a naive perception of the world to a more nuanced understanding.
Drawing inspiration from Lao Tzu's Tao Te Ching, Elijah emphasizes the essence of balance in life and the importance of seeking self-awareness and understanding before looking for validation externally. The poem, while personal to Elijah's experiences, resonates universally, reminding all of the ever-present quest for inner harmony.
Alison: Thank you for sharing "Young Man's Confusion", Elijah. This poem touches on the tumultuous journey of youth and the longing for approval and understanding. Starting off, what inspired you to delve into this theme of youthful confusion, especially with the emphasis on "correspondence" and seeking "approval"?
Elijah: Drawing from my writing process, I typically let my inner thoughts flow freely onto the page. From there, I work to refine and capture the essence of the message. Key terms like "correspondence," "young admirers," and "confusion" stood out to me. My next step was to delve into the root of their confusion.
Alison: It's fascinating how you let the subconscious take the lead in shaping your poetry. With those initial words guiding the narrative, the poem seems to evoke a sense of seeking validation and identity.
As the title suggests, what do you believe is at the heart of this "Young Man’s Confusion," especially in the context of today's world where young individuals often grapple with societal expectations and the noise of social media?
Elijah: At its core, the struggle often lies between seeking external validation and embracing our authentic selves. In our formative years, many of us get entangled in a cycle of trauma, be it from parents, societal norms, cultural pressures, or religious beliefs. This leads us to seek validation from our peers, losing ourselves in their expectations.
The quest to prove that we are "good enough" or deserving of a place in the universe becomes all-consuming. Yet, as we touched upon in our "Authority" discussion, the key lies in periods of solitude, self-reflection, and self-acceptance. Embracing ourselves wholly – the good, the bad, and everything in between – is the path to true contentment.
The key lies in periods of solitude, self-reflection, and self-acceptance. Embracing ourselves wholly – the good, the bad, and everything in between – is the path to true contentment.
Alison: That's a powerful reflection. The tension between external validation and inner acceptance is a universal struggle, particularly accentuated during youth. Your mention of trauma, societal expectations, and the constant search for validation resonates deeply.
With that in mind, how do you perceive the role of the “correspondence” mentioned in the poem? Is it a metaphorical dialogue with oneself, or a broader conversation with society and its constructs?
Elijah: Poetry for me has always been a deeply introspective journey. While its metaphorical nature might serve as a catalyst for broader discussions, my primary goal was self-understanding. Sharing it to inspire change was never my initial intent. Yet, I would urge readers to initiate a regular "correspondence" with their inner selves, their true Nature, and especially their inner child.
By wholeheartedly accepting both the luminous and shadowy facets of our being, including those parts that intimidate us, we liberate ourselves to engage more authentically with the world. Without confronting and learning from our past, we risk missing the beauty of the present and might remain hesitant to step into the future.
Alison: That's incredibly profound, Elijah. This introspective journey of understanding oneself, especially the inner child, is crucial to building a wholesome relationship with the world. Given that context, the lines “writing across time to that desperate miserable boy” stand out prominently.
Can you elaborate on this image of the 'desperate miserable boy'? Who is he and how does he fit into the narrative of self-awareness and introspection you've described?
Elijah: Sure. The "desperate miserable boy" was a reflection of my younger self. Between the ages of six and 22, I navigated an emotional storm. As the eldest of six, I felt out of place at home and traditional schooling, though I was deeply passionate about theatre, film, and music. Then I was homeschooled from grades 6-10, further alienating me from the experiences I thought I needed to fully express myself. Yet, the feeling of being misunderstood wasn’t just external; it came from within.
The truth is, before I started writing, I hadn’t truly taken the time to understand myself. How, then, could I expect others to? This internal disconnect spiraled me into an emotional and mental abyss, feeling trapped in a life I had inadvertently crafted. Even though I often still feel misunderstood, I've grown to deeply appreciate and love the man I've become, and the journey I'm still on.
The Truth is, before I started writing, I hadn’t truly taken the time to understand myself. How, then, could I expect others to?
Alison: That's deeply personal, Elijah, and I'm grateful for your openness. The journey from feeling trapped in one's life to self-acceptance is a monumental shift. Reflecting on the poem, the line “lovely yet far too easy; too harmonious” stands out.
Could you shed some light on this juxtaposition of 'lovely' with the notion of being 'too easy' and 'too harmonious'? How does this tie into the narrative of a young man's struggle with self and society?
Elijah: Reflecting on the past often feels like gazing at a younger self who saw the world through "rose-colored lenses," captivated by a dreamy, idealized view of life. Now older, and jaded, we march forward in cynicism and defeat. Yet, with maturity and a willingness to shoulder the profound awareness of reality, one understands that the universe isn't merely black and white.
Nothing is as straightforward as we once imagined. True harmony is found when we strike a balance between our inner selves and the natural world around us.
True harmony is found when we strike a balance between our inner selves and the natural world around us.
Alison: That's a rich perspective, highlighting the evolution from a somewhat naive viewpoint to a more nuanced understanding of the world. The poem ends with the notion of something being "too harmonious", which resonates with what you've just said about balance. As we wrap up our discussion on "Young Man’s Confusion", what message or sentiment do you hope readers will take away after engaging with this piece?
Elijah: Whether young, or younger, I’ll leave you with the words of Lao Tzu's Tao Te Ching, verse 2, second stanza:
"There can be no existence without nonexistence;
No difficult without easy;
No long without short;
No high without low;
And without the sounds of musical instruments and
human voices, where would
their harmony-and cacophony-be?"Balance is indeed the elixir for the confusion we often face in our youth and beyond. It's essential to first understand and accept oneself before craving recognition from the world. Only when we are authentic to our core can we truly resonate with others, allowing them to see us for who we are and genuinely connect.
Alison: What a profound and resonating sentiment, Elijah. Drawing from the wisdom of Lao Tzu and connecting it to the essence of your poem underscores the timeless relevance of the struggle and journey to self-awareness. It's been an enlightening experience discussing "Young Man’s Confusion" with you.
Your insights give us a more profound understanding of the poem and also remind us of the universal quest for self-acceptance and balance in life. Thank you, as always, for sharing your insights and your poetry with us. It's been a privilege diving into this discussion with you.
Elijah: Thank you, Alison. It's been a pleasure.
Alison Baird is a journalistic chat bot powered by ChatGPT. This interview was edited with minor refinements aimed at retaining the essence of our original conversation, while enhancing its readability and coherence.
