Bring on the tough stuff - there’s not just one right answer.
- The speaker has a core belief, or principle, that guides him through life. How practical are principles in this day and age? Are they still valuable, or a relic of the past?
- How does the form of the poem compliment the content? Do they seem to be working together in some way?
- Where do you think the speaker is today? Is he still racking up the years and miles? Is he happy? (How long is his beard??) What parts of the poem support your guess?
- Is death all we have to look forward to? Is there a way to escape that cold grip and be chipper through our elder years and beyond (without being crazy)? How might the speaker answer that question?
- What image stuck with you when reading this poem? What makes it separate from the pack?
- Consciousness and memory sure do complicate the idea of a physical reality, but is there such a thing as too deep? Kunitz is drilling through "The Layers" like an oil rig, but at some point do we burn ourselves out? Does the speaker need to come up for air? (Maybe he should host a game night? Or adopt a dog?)