Salutation To Civilization: A Poetic Breakdown

If you’re like me, you’ve never read a lot of Shel Silverstein’s work. Some of you may remember my complicated feelings regarding “The Giving Tree” from a few months back. Beyond that, Silverstein’s books of poetry were some of the favorites of my grade-school classmates. As a general rule, anything they liked, I didn’t. I was that kid.

I didn’t want to deprive my child of the standards though, so I’ve been reading Silverstein’s works at bedtime lately. On the whole, I find it to be a mixed bag of beautiful imagery, interesting turns of phrase, and an admirable willingness to broach heavier if morbid topics for the setting, wrapped up in an overly simplistic and occasionally lazy construction.

That being said, there’s one poem that I read recently and as soon as I finished, my wife and I looked at each other with appreciative smiles. It struck true. I’d like to replicate it here and break it down a bit. It’s not a perfect work, but it offers interpretations of words that get misused and misunderstood all too often. This is “Ations” by Shel Silverstein.

“If we meet and I say, ‘Hi’/ That’s a salutation.”

I like the word “salutation”. It reminds me of the formality that often lacking as we meet people both well known and stranger. It doesn’t have to be a long conversation, just a friendly “hello” as you stroll down the walk. It represents a willingness to accept the other into your world.

“If you ask me how I feel,/ That’s a consideration.”

The important part for this one is that it’s distinct from salutation. Inquiring to the other person’s state is a kindness but we have become plagued with treating it as a required part of a salutation giving the illusion of consideration without any genuine concern.

“If we stop and talk a while,/ That’s conversation.”

Not until this third step, do we get conversation. Conversation takes time and investment. It requires the first two steps here presented. It’s not enough to say “hi” and quickly ask how they are to have a conversation. There must be follow through.

“It we understand each other./ that’s a communication.”

If you aren’t being understood, it’s incomplete communication. If you aren’t understanding, it’s incomplete communication. I’m sure communication instructors could speak more articulately about this, but this line speaks to the essential collaborative element of communication.

“If we argue, scream and fight,/ That’s an altercation.”

Etymology note, “altercation” originally referring to argument, relies on its root, “alter,” to change. An altercation is therefore about changing with words, the opposing argument. No physicality is required.

“If later we apologize,/ That’s reconciliation.”

This one I take issue with. Apology is the beginning of reconciliation, not the complete process. It’s important to point out that it says “we” though. Again, it’s a 2-way street.

“If we help each other home,/ that’s a cooperation.”

Cooperation isn’t about you helping me or me helping you, it’s about both. You might say it’s not me, it’s us. Someone begging for cooperation who is ignorant of or actively opposes your needs is misusing the word.

“And all these actions added up/ Make civilization.”

I like that ending. If you want a civil society, greet, engage with, sometimes argue, but ultimately collaborate with the other members of that society. Anything more complicated is window dressing.

There is one more line to the poem, but I think it hurts the message of the piece.

“(And if I say this is a wonderful poem,/ Is that exaggeration?)”

I’ll leave you to your own answers on that one.