Summary for Ation poem by Shel Silverstein

 

Ations

 By Shel Silverstein

If we meet and I say, 'Hi,'
That's a salutation.
If you ask me how I feel,
That's a consideration.
If we stop and talk a while,
That's a conversation.
If we understand each other,
That's a communication.
If we argue, scream and fight,
That's an altercation.
If later we apoligize,
That's reconciliation.
If we help each other home,
That's a cooperation.
And all these actions added up
Make Civilization.
(And if I say this is a wonderful poem,
Is that exaggeration?)

Explanation: Shel Silverstein is an American Poet, writer and Children’s author. The poem “Ation” appeared in his Anthology titled “Light in the Attic” which was published in the year 1981.  This poem is thought provoking and evocative. In each line of this poem the poet ends the song with a suffix  “ation” which adds beauty to the title of the poem.

If we meet and I say, “Hi,” That’s a salutation.If you ask me how I feel,That’s consideration…

 

This poem brings us joy and happiness in different ways. The sounds, ideas, memories and imagination provide delight and happiness.  

In the very beginning of the poem the word salutation reminds us about the lack of formality we have towards strangers and people we meet. The poet claims that just a friendly ‘Hi' is enough to approach a person at the beginning.

In the next line the poet claims that salutation differs from consideration. Inquiring to the other person’s state is a kindness but we have become plagued with treating it as a required part of a salutation giving the illusion of consideration without any genuine concern.

The third step is conversation. Conversation takes time and investment. After salutation and consideration this step happens. After conversation a deep understanding should happen. If there is no proper understanding it means your communication is incomplete.

If we argue, scream and fight, That’s an altercation.

An altercation is therefore about changing with words, the opposing argument. After a great argument at one point we reconcile. Apology is the only way to get reconciliation.  Both the sides should reconcile.

Cooperation isn’t about you helping me or me helping you, it’s about both. You might say it’s not me, it’s us. Someone begging for cooperation who is ignorant of or actively opposes your needs is misusing the word.

To create a civil society salutation, consideration, conversation, communication, argument, reconciliation and cooperation plays a key role.