[Julie]

Since Peter Earsman brought up minimalism, I thought I'd bring up this little sonnet by Bishop.

Sonnet

Caught -- the bubble
in the spirit level,
a creature divided;
and the compass needle
wobbling and wavering,
undecided.
Freed -- the broken
thermometer's mercury
running away;
and the rainbow-bird
from the narrow bevel
of the empty mirror,
flying wherever
it feels like, gay!


While talking with a friend, he mentioned his belief that this piece was minimalist. I disagree, though the piece definitely has its idiosyncracies.

Is this minimalism? And does anyone else feel the last line is a disappointment?

Julie