Poem Questions

Working Together
by David Whyte

We shape our self
to fit this world

and by the world
are shaped again.

The visible
and the invisible

working together
in common cause,

to produce 
the miraculous.

I am thinking of the way
the intangible air

passed at speed
round a shaped wing

easily
holds our weight.

So may we, in this life
trust

to those elements
we have yet to see

or imagine,
and look for the true

shape of our own self,
by forming it well

to the great 
intangibles about us.

• What is the significance of the title? The title is "Working Together". It presents to us that by coming together and forming that everything will soon be good again. 
• What is the tone of the poem? The tone of the poem is soothing. Whyte provides to us that, yes, we all do have problems and try to fit in with all this other crazy stuff, but he also knows we can fix it all by coming together. 
• What is your mood as you read it? As i read this, it makes me feel hopeful. To me, it's a little inspiring because it lets me know that I'm certainly not alone and will one day find certain content. 
• Is there a Shift?  Where?  From what to what? There is a shift from the line "So may we in this life trust". Before Whyte was just talking about the problem but now he's talking about how to confront it and find a solution. 
• What is the theme of the poem? The theme of the poem is coalition. David Whyte makes it a point that the best way to solve a problem is by working together. By coming together and forming ways to maintain an obstacle you may receive the best results.