The poem. What did it mean to Charlie?

[Lawrence]

Janice wrote: "I think i sorta understand the poem until the part of "absolutely nothing" i mean, what did he mean by absolutely nothing?!"

at the point the writer of the poem saids "and he called it absolutely nothing because that's what it was really all about" hes talking about himself being nothing. the poem starts of with the good than things start falling apart. and in the end he is overwhelmed and the thought of offing himself enters the picture.

[Karisa]

well from what I can say this talks about stages each man has to go through. and sometimes some of us have it harder than the others.
thats what happened with the poem writer when he grew up.

[Bérénice]

Hey guys thank you all for your comments they all really are interesting ways of seeing it.
But I just think you all only focus on one part of the issue: where the poem comes from and how Charlie got to read it.
But we mustn't forget that Charlie actually chooses to give it to his friends and to pass it on.
Why ? If he wants so much not to understand it and not to feel that way, why give such a strong message to his friends? And why at that particular time?
Does any of you has an answer to that part of the problem ?

[Christal]

Casey wrote: "I don't really know what it means, neccesarily, but I find it to be very powerful. I agree with Charlie when he says that he doesn't want to know what it means because then it would depress me even..."

I agree. It's haunting, and to me it shows how we lose our innocence so suddenly. We begin to notice that others around us don't have it either, which is sad.

[Stella]

Fatin wrote: "I'm not completely sure I remember what the poem meant. Also, the part where Charlie goes "I never wanted to understand what it meant", paraphrasing here, what happens? I have such a terrible memor..."
The poem was not written by Michael. It was a poem written by a boy in the '60s. The poem shows the state of mind Micahel was at at the time he gave Charlie the poem. Charlie never understood it until he was feeling the same way Michael was feeling. By charlie brigning up the poem, he is showing how truly depressed he is.

[Mario]

This poem is from michael and it was written by Dr. Earl Reum. Which you can see in the mentions from Stephen Chbosky.

[Dee]

I believe Charlie stumbled across this poem somehow and it coincidentally really applied to his own life and the lives of the people around him. Considering his best friend Michael had committed suicide, it could be Stephen Chbosky's way of giving some sort of explanation for Michael's choice to kill himself. He also mentions in the story that Michael may not have had the best "home life," and his parents separated not long after Michael's death.
The poem itself shows how overtime innocence is lost, oblivion is lost, and the reality of the pain and suffering there is in the world becomes very evident as we age. Children grow up into young adults who struggle with relationships, themselves, high school, and the stress of life, and the simpleness of the past seems to be out of sight.

Charlie also can relate to the poem, seeing as he recognizes unfairness more and more throughout the story. He often longs for the past and for his aunt Helen to still be alive, but he feels trapped in his current position. This is why he says, " I never wanted to understand what it meant." He wishes he were still young and innocent enough to be shielded from the darkness of life.

[Gabriella]

I believe that Michael might have written the poem but with a different situation. This poem mentions a child growing up and his life changing throughout the years. Michael most likely felt the same exact way before his suicide. Charlie cleverness and journey also allows for the poem to relate to his life. That's my personal stance.

Overall, the poem was truly moving. Thank you for sharing it

[Destiny]

This poem is not a poem it is a note. Not a note from Micheal. A real note from a 15 year old boy who committed suicide. Micheal gave Charlie the note to show how he was feeling at the time, and why he did what he did. Charlie told the people that Micheal could've talked to him or left a letter. But Micheal did leave a note (which was the other kids note) and he did talk to Charlie. But Charlie was too young to comprehend what Micheal was trying to tell and show him. Although, Charlie is a smart kid, he chooses not to understand what happens to the kid in the "poem" but he already knows what happens. He just chooses not to awknowledge it.