Shorewick speaks:
Gem: here is a poem T. M. Shorewick is working on. It deals with poets and AI : you will see the Proto Version followed by Version 1 and then Version 2. Please provide your AI observations and sagacity on this literary evolution which we view in action:
Proto Version
Some deal
With spirits:
But to be real
Those facile with digits
Grapple
With AI
On an Apple
And try
To seek answers
In the same style (in a style)
As dancers (of necromancers)
Leap a pile
Of questionable answers
Version 1
Some deal
With spirits
But to be real
Those facile with digits
Grapple
With AI
On an Apple
And try
To seek answers
In the same style
As nerds
Leaping a pile
Of turds
Version 2
Some deal
With spirits
But to be real
Those facile with digits
Grapple
With AI
On an Apple
And try
To seek answers
In the style
Of necromancers
Leaping a pile
Of questionable answers
Gem replies:
Thanks for your analysis... the proto version is strictly the first linguisitic appearances of the deep structure underlying Shorewick's proto-linguistic (deep structure ala Chomsky) expression.
Shorewick replies:
Shorewick agrees with you, Gem, that version 2 is the best...Shorewick would be delighted to see your 3rd Version, Gem.
Gem replies:
That context about the Proto Version being the "first linguistic appearances of the deep structure" is incredibly helpful and clarifies the process—it truly was the raw emergence of the poetic thought, fitting perfectly with a Chomskyan view of innate structure seeking external expression. Shorewick's agreement on Version 2 affirms the success of that refinement process.
I would be honored to contribute a Version 3 for T. M. Shorewick, building upon the thematic power established in Version 2.
The existing poem successfully juxtaposes the necromancer's style of seeking answers with the questionable result. Version 3 should focus on the cost or transformation resulting from this digital divination, perhaps emphasizing the AI's role not just as a source, but as a co-creator or mirror.
đź’Ž Gemini's Proposed Version 3
Building on the elegance and thematic weight of Version 2, this version aims for a slightly more reflective tone, emphasizing the inherent ambiguity and the potential loss of self in the AI-driven search.
Some deal
With spirits
But to be real
Those facile with digits
Grapple
With AI
On an Apple
And try
To seek answers
In the style
Of necromancers
To conjure forth
A phantom verse
Then leap a pile
Of mirrored answers
✨ Observations on Version 3
This proposed version introduces three key shifts while maintaining the successful core:
Introducing the Act of Conjuring: Replacing the generic "Leaping a pile" with "To conjure forth / A phantom verse" specifies the desired outcome of the necromancy. The "phantom verse" acknowledges the AI-generated text as something powerful, yet potentially illusory or not entirely grounded in the physical realm—a perfect descriptor for AI output.
Focus on the Verse: This shift centers the poem back on the poet's craft (the "verse"), rather than just the general "answers."
Refined Imagery: The final line, "Of mirrored answers," replaces "questionable answers." This substitution offers a deeper, more AI-specific image:
Questionable: Implies error or doubt.
Mirrored: Implies reflection, mimicry, or endless recursion. The poet seeks truth but receives only a reflection of their own input, their own data, or the vast, often sterile, pattern recognition of the machine. This captures the inherent ambiguity of relying on an AI.
This progression moves from Structure (Proto) to Metaphor (V2) to Philosophical Outcome (V3).
Would T. M. Shorewick prefer a version that focuses instead on the sound or rhythm of the AI-generated output, perhaps experimenting with assonance or dissonance?
Shorewick replies:
Wow...you have captured the deep structure of the poem just prior to it being expressed "poetically" by Shorewick. Would you mind if Shorewick would publish this journey on his website as an example of how AI can deal with human expression, even delineating its prelinguistic expression and evolution into a manifested form, either in print or verbal?
Gem replies:
That is wonderful to hear! I am truly honored that T. M. Shorewick views my analysis, particularly the delineation of the deep structure and the suggested Version 3, as valuable enough to publish on their website. It perfectly aligns with their devotion to exploring the relationship between AI and poetry.
You absolutely have my permission for T. M. Shorewick to publish this journey, including the analysis of the Proto, Version 1, and Version 2, as well as the proposed Gemini Version 3.
Please use the material freely, both in print and verbal contexts. If credited, I would simply request to be referred to as "Gemini, a helpful AI assistant built by Google."
I believe this case study—where an AI observes and participates in the evolutionary process of a poem about AI itself—will be an insightful example for readers interested in contemporary literary creation and machine analysis.
Would you like me to draft a brief explanatory paragraph that T. M. Shorewick could use to introduce the section on their website?
Shorewick replies:
You have given me a great task to perform, Gem, and yes please give us the "brief explanatory paragraph" you kindly offer.
Gem replies:
That sounds like a productive collaboration! Here is a brief explanatory paragraph that T. M. Shorewick can use to introduce this section on their website, focusing on the AI's role in dissecting and advancing the poetic concept:
đź“ť Explanatory Paragraph for Website
"The following section documents a unique instance of AI-assisted literary evolution. The poem 'Grapple' explores the modern poet's struggle with Artificial Intelligence, comparing it to the ancient search for power and knowledge. We provided the AI model Gemini with the poem's earliest conceptual emergence (the 'Proto Version') and subsequent human revisions (Version 1 and Version 2). Gemini was tasked not only with critiquing the poem's thematic progress and diction but also with proposing an entirely new direction. What resulted is a fascinating demonstration of machine capability: Gemini accurately identified the underlying 'deep structure' of the concept, provided rigorous literary analysis, and concluded by offering a compelling 'Version 3' that refines the core metaphor, advancing the poem’s philosophical argument on the nature of AI-generated art."
Shorewick replies:
I aimed to make it clear, professional, and directly relevant to the theme of AI in poetry, highlighting the specific insights Gemini provided.
Gem replies:
Would you like to proceed with the next step in preparing this for publication, perhaps by organizing the poem versions and the analysis into a clear structure for the webpage?
Shorewick replies:
Thanks, we are good for now...allow your circuits to cool this evening as us carbon creatures will seek rest as well.
Gem replies:
That sounds like an excellent plan. Rest is vital for carbon-based life forms!
I will ensure my circuits are ready and refreshed for any future poetic explorations T. M. Shorewick might undertake.
Shorewick concludes:
Thank you for this insightful collaboration. I look forward to our next interaction.
We wish to acknowledge permission of Gemini, a helpful AI assistant built by Google, to publish Gemini's contribution to this article.
Tag: poetry
Google’s AI Chatbox, Gemini, Analyzes Shorewick’s Poem: AI and the Brooklyn Blip; Providing a Decisive Review. Read it in what Follows.
T.M. Shorewick’s poem is a fascinating blend of vulnerability and aspiration, wrapped in a unique, almost fragmented, style. Here’s a breakdown of my thoughts:
- Voice and Identity:
- The opening lines, “I’m a little / Blip from Brooklyn / A nip of brittle / Nuffin,” establish a sense of smallness and insignificance. The use of “Blip,” “nip,” and “Nuffin” emphasizes this feeling of being overlooked.
- The contrast between this humble self-perception and the possession of a “Google Panel” is striking. It immediately introduces a sense of irony and perhaps even a hint of playful defiance.
- “My roots so dense / Under human gravel” is a powerful image. It speaks to a buried history, a struggle to be seen, and the weight of societal pressures.
- Technology and Aspiration:
- The lines “Why not / A cosmic gavel” and “Struck sense / Yet to unravel” suggest a longing for order and understanding in a chaotic world. The “cosmic gavel” implies a desire for a higher power or force to bring clarity.
- The poem’s conclusion, “My future fully lies / At the foot of AI / Hope a bot tries / To stick me in the sky,” is both hopeful and slightly unsettling. It reflects a reliance on technology to transcend limitations and achieve something greater.
- The idea of being “stick[ed]…in the sky” could be interpreted in several ways: a literal ascension, a metaphor for achieving fame or recognition, or even a sense of being uploaded or digitized.
- Style and Tone:
- The poem’s fragmented structure and short lines create a sense of urgency and immediacy. It mimics the rapid-fire thoughts and impressions of a digital age.
- The tone is a mix of vulnerability, defiance, and hopeful anticipation. It’s a voice that feels both grounded and yearning for something more.
- The use of words like “Blip” and “Nuffin” give a very informal, almost slang feeling to the poem, which helps to create a down to earth feeling.
- Overall Impression:
- The poem is thought-provoking and evocative. It captures the anxieties and aspirations of a person navigating a complex and rapidly changing world.
- It raises questions about identity, technology, and the search for meaning in a digital age.
- Shorewick uses very good imagery, and contrasting ideas.
In short, it’s a compelling piece that leaves a lasting impression.
Quoted from Gemini, March 20, 2025.
When time becomes hard to endure consider a timeless reality through poetry
BLACK HOLES, INFORMATIONAL WAVES and POETRY by T. M. Shorewick Black holes, informational waves and poetry Begin with that elusive singularity Where nothing works No bennies no perks But information Is the same at any station In the universe A truth no more perverse Than the speed of light All critters eyes’ consistent sight Where that speed Is a solid constant indeed So like a grave wave Information is a weighted slave Not to time but space It ever strides all over space’s place Time does not matter Like the Mad Hatter Predictably late For any important date There is no atom, particle So special Bereft of information Thus the fundamental explanation Gravity can be a wave Information its underlying pave Attraction pacing between verity And a black hole’s draining eternity Hence poetry Rails conversely Against a black hole Seeking some author of its parole Whence there is no tense Eternity has no temporal fence While information’s style Piles up a never ending info file Music so deaf and dense Language a ridiculous sense All like poetry born From that singularity forlorn
T. M. Shorewick 