I have learned so much (by Daniel Ladinsky)

I

Have

Learned

So much from God

That I can no longer

Call

Myself

A Christian, a Hindu, a Muslim

A Buddhist, a Jew.

The Truth has shared so much of itself

With me

That I can no longer call myself

A man, a woman, an angel

Or even pure

Soul.

Love has

Befriended Hafiz so completely

It has turned to ash

And freed

Me

Of every concept and image

My mind has ever known.

Analysis:

Title

Since "I have learned so much" usually refers to studying, it seems easy to miss the important meaning of the poem when just looking at the title.

Paraphrase

I have extended my knowledge by God, therefore I can not be called as any of the well known religions. I have gotten to know much of the real meaning, so I am not normal. Love has given me freedom, by sacrificing itself.

Connotation

Point of View- 1rst person

Connotation- It has turned to ashes

Denotation- I have learned so much

Attitude

In this poem, the author seems to be happy and sad at the same time. Happy because he learned a lot and sad because Jesus died for us.

Shifts

In the first stanza, you don't really know what the author is talking about, but as you start reading the second stanza and move on to the third stanza, it becomes more clear of what the author is trying to tell us.

Title

After I read this poem, I was able to understand of what Daniel ladinsky wanted to say. I think he wanted to remind us that Jesus died for us on the cross without mentioning His name.

Theme

As i have said above, Daniel Ladinsky doesn't mention the name of Jesus but is indirectly telling us that He died for us on the cross.