Ferlinghetti Questions (Constantly Risking Absurdity)

In the extended metaphor, who is constantly "risking absurdity/ and death"?

a poet, similar to an acrobat is constantly risking absurdity

pun because high can mean both superior and

at a great height

What does this poem suggest about the reasons poetry is important to a society?

because it provides an unexpected and dangerous beauty to a rather bland world.

climbs on rhyme

pun

Who is waiting on the other side of the high wire? Why is the poet not certain he will catch this figure?

the female counterpart of the performance which symbolizes beauty.

When Ferlinghetti says that the poet performs "sleight -of-foot tricks", what is he comparing the poet to?

to a magician

In what ways is "truth" like a tightrope?

truth is a fine line which is delicate but must be faced