As a physician I frequently have to search for a diagnosis which will account for most, or hopefully all, of a patient's problems. So when I consider a question related to politics, religion or philosophy, I look for an answer that will help us to understand the known facts.
When you read these poems, I don't expect that you will necessarily agree with the conclusions but hope that you will be stimulated to ask, 'What do I think?' and, maybe of more importance, 'Why do I think so?'
The interpretations will be a product of age, gender, culture, race, nationality, politics, education and religious beliefs or lack of them. It is hardly surprising that our responses may differ. I frequently apply the following quotation from Oliver Cromwell (1599-1658), the Lord Protector of England, Scotland and Ireland, to my own thoughts:
"I beseech you, in the bowels of Christ, think it possible you may be mistaken."
- Letter to the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland (8/3/1650).