Did I Miss Anything?

For an irregular, unrhymed poem, “Did I Miss Anything” has an unexpectedly musical quality. Much of this musicality arises from the repetition of the words “nothing,” “everything,” and “anything” in the poem. The title of the poem ends on an “anything,” which is soon followed by the “nothing” of the first line, which sets up an internal rhyme that binds the poem together. The poem’s easy pace is linked with its minimalist structure and fluid diction. As is typical of Wayman’s poetic style, most of the poem’s words are accessible and informal without being too casual. The abstract nouns “everything” and “nothing” are used frequently in everyday speech and are associated with a vague, unquantifiable quality. The poet uses these nouns deliberately to mimic everyday speech as well as to create a juxtaposition where solid objects like desks are pitted against abstract notions of “nothing” and “everything.” Thus, Wayman draws out the poetry inherent in everyday speech, highlighting the grounded, accessible ethos of work poetry and further emphasizing the inextricably compatible relationship between academic learning and everyday life.

Further, the poem uses rhetoric effectively, where the intent of the teacher’s speech is to make a statement rather than initiate a conversation. The teacher is tired of trying to initiate a dialogue, and now they want to impress their point of view upon the insensitive students. In keeping with rhetorical tradition, the poem is arranged as a series of answers in response to the central question: ”Did I Miss Anything?”