By Jack Joseph Smith
Original Scan
AI Interpretation
It is difficult treats understanding as common and insufficient; poetry is instead figured as difficult, stepwise work that never simply explains or exposes the self.
This is close to an ars poetica. The poem distrusts both confession and easy explanation, insisting that truth in poetry has to be worked toward again and again.
It is difficult. Understanding is common; work is a dream. Not explaining or giving yourself away like a hurt child. Poetry's truth is never verifiable — but it is. Step by step all over again.