Poetry Explication

Poetry Explication The second sonnet in Mark Jarman's group of sonnets entitled The Word "Answer" can be interpreted two different ways. Is there a "right" way from which to view this poem, or is the poet simply exercising his God given right to ambiguity? Sonnet 2, as I will refer to it, revolves around someone sitting in a bathtub when suddenly there is a knock at the door, which soon turns into ringing and pounding, and …

…not an entertaining thought to picture God sitting in a bathtub reading the newspaper debating whether or not he wants to answer our prayers while we stand wondering whether there is anyone home, it is one way to read this sonnet. The more plausible possibility is that Mark Jarman is reminding us that God wants inside our hearts and it is our responsibility to move out of our warm, comfortable baths and let him in.