"Poetry is like making a joke. If you get one word wrong at the end of a joke, you've lost the whole thing"

W. S. Merwin's quote draws an interesting parallel in between poetry and humor, recommending that both art kinds rely greatly on precision and timing to attain their intended result. At the heart of this comparison is the concept that both a poem and a joke develop towards a specific point-- a minute of discovery or effect that hinges on the exactness of each word leading up to it.

In informing a joke, the punchline is where the narrative assembles; everything before it sets the phase for that last twist or surprise that evokes laughter. Similarly, a poem carefully organizes words to produce rhythm, imagery, and emotion, all aiming to culminate in a powerful or resonant conclusion. The incorrect word choice, be it in a joke or a poem, can shatter this delicate construction, leaving the audience unmoved or baffled.

Merwin's insight stresses the meticulousness fundamental in poetry, where each word is selected with look after its noise, connotation, and impact. Simply as a joke relies on timing and phrasing to elicit the right response, a poem depends upon the weight and positioning of its words to communicate its depth and emotion. Both need the developer to have an eager awareness of language and its subtleties, showing how even the tiniest information can alter the whole message.

Furthermore, this comparison highlights the shared human experience that underlies both poetry and humor. At their best, both forms take advantage of axioms, feelings, or incongruities that resonate deeply with audiences. They depend on an unspoken agreement in between developer and audience-- a shared understanding of timing, expectation, and surprise.

For that reason, Merwin's quote not only underscores the importance of accuracy in language however also exposes a broader reality about imaginative expression: whether aiming for laughter or introspection, success lies in the cautious crafting of each aspect, relying on that the whole will be higher than the sum of its parts.