Challenge 370 Response

“It’s Raining”

by Arnold Hollander

Arnold Hollander’s “It’s Raining” exploits an ambiguity peculiar to English grammar. Is the narrator of the poem male or female?

Hi Don,

When I wrote it I was thinking it was a woman storming out. Your challenge had me realize the poem is gender neutral. Thank you for extending my train of thought.

Arnie

Hi, Arnie...

Let’s call it serendipity. And I don’t see how the poem could be translated into any other language I know of; gender would have to be indicated in some way. English often allows ambiguities that other languages can’t. In your poem I’d say the ambiguity is a happy one.

Don