I Write Myself into The Margins – Reviewed
Ah, praise be to the margins,
the only places I call my own.
Redecorate, make comment,
doodle or make complaint,
the margins are my safety zones.
While the rest of the page is fossilized
in words (some strange)
typeset in stone,
I write myself into the margins.
…
You may find the rest of the poem here.
I Write Myself into The Margins
©2025 | K. F. Hartless
© by owner. provided at no charge for educational purposes
Analysis
“I Write Myself into The Margins” explores the relationship between the rigid, printed word and the personal, fluid nature of reader interaction. The poem treats the margins as spaces of freedom, where the speaker’s thoughts and creativity can exist alongside the unchanging text. The fixed words on the page, described as “fossilized” and “typeset in stone,” represent authority and permanence, while the margins offer a place for spontaneity and personal expression.
The speaker highlights the significance of the margins as “safety zones,” places where they can make notes, doodle, or even complain. These blank spaces are seen as untouched and welcoming, contrasting with the rigid structure of the main text. Metaphors like “snow-covered fields” and “pillars” suggest the potential of these spaces, where the reader can experiment, reflect, or simply leave a mark. The act of writing in the margins becomes a way to reclaim and interact with the material, turning reading into a dynamic conversation.
The poem’s tone is reflective yet playful. The speaker treats the margins with reverence but also sees them as a personal playground, a space to break free from the constraints of the printed words. In formal settings, like academia, where the text is presented as a “palace of knowledge,” the margins still provide an opportunity for individuality and connection. The poem acknowledges the authority of the main text while celebrating the reader’s ability to personalize and reinterpret it.
Ultimately, the poem elevates the margins from overlooked spaces to vital ones. By writing in the margins, the speaker asserts their presence and ensures a connection with the material. The poem captures how these blank spaces can transform reading into a shared, creative experience, where both the text and the reader leave their marks.
Photo by Tim Wildsmith on Unsplash
