Understanding "Tissue" - The Power of Fragility
Ever noticed how tissue paper lets light shine through? Dharker uses this simple observation to explore massive themes about truth, power, and human existence. The poem begins with paper that's been worn thin by age and touching - think of those well-used textbooks where pages have become almost transparent.
The most powerful image comes from the back of the Koran, where someone has handwritten family histories - births, deaths, and life stories. This isn't just about religion; it's about how we record what matters most. These sepia-dated records show how our entire identity can exist on something as fragile as paper.
Dharker then shifts to architecture, imagining buildings made entirely of transparent paper rather than solid brick or stone. She suggests we should "let the daylight break through" our structures, challenging the monuments that pride creates. The poem argues that permanence might not be as valuable as we think.
Key insight: The poem uses paper's fragility to question why we build things meant to last forever when life itself is temporary.