Question

1. question about one art by elizabeth bishop

its evident
the art of losings not too hard to master
though it may look like (write it!) like disaster.

these final lines have intrigued readers since bishops poem was first published. what do you think she means by these lines? whats the effect of having the words write it! in parentheses like this?

Explanation:

• For the meaning: Bishop reframes loss from an overwhelming disaster to a skill that can be learned, normalizing the experience of losing.
• For the parenthetical effect: The aside mimics a private, urgent internal prompt, making the poem feel more personal and immediate. It highlights that writing (and articulating loss) is a key part of mastering the "art" of accepting loss.

Answer:

1. The lines mean that while losing can feel catastrophic, learning to accept loss is a manageable, learnable skill. Bishop frames "the art of losing" as a practice people can master, even when loss initially seems devastating.
2. The parenthetical "(Write it!)" creates an intimate, urgent tone: it feels like a direct, almost desperate self-command from Bishop, emphasizing the act of documenting and confronting loss as part of mastering the "art." It blurs the line between the poet's private process and the public poem, adding raw authenticity.