Friday, March 14, 2008

John Keats, poetry and me

I really couldn’t tell you what it is about poetry that has caused me to resist the occasional thought, that maybe I should dabble in it. Yet, somehow, every now and then, something in the back of my mind needles me to try. You know, just give it a try, just for the fun of it.

Last night, the needling resumed and I wondered, if perhaps, it wasn’t just something in the back of my mind, but a deeper, more sensitive voice in my heart crying out for me to delve into this creative outlet.

Now, I thought that was weird since I wouldn’t describe myself as a fan or lover of poetry. John Keats was my favorite in school, and his Ode to Autumn, was my joy to read. And I can only recall the first four lines of the first verse.

"Season of mists and mellow fruitfulness,

Close bosom-friend of the maturing sun;

Conspiring with him how to load and bless

With fruit the vines that round the thatch-eaves run;"

In 1992, some eighteen years after leaving school, I was struck with an overwhelming urge to re-read Mr. Keats’ poems, especially his Ode’s. The urge sent me on a dogged hunt for the text I used in school. Some amateur detective work uncovered the title of the book and eventually I found it.

A Choice of Poets, an anthology of poets from Wordsworth to the present day - by R. P. Hewett, accompanied me everywhere, even to bed. I was like a woman who had found a long-lost love. I read through the book many times, but slowly, the blazing flame died, or so I thought.

It probably only dwindled to a faint flicker because it is roaring again. The voice disturbed my usual restful sleep with those first four lines of Ode to Autumn, and I awoke this morning, like a woman on a mission. I retrieved the book from my bookshelf and read the poem.

I've decided to keep it close, as I did before, only this time, I'll listen to my heart and follow where it leads.

Maybe, just maybe, I'll give poetry a try. Maybe, just maybe, I'll write a poem or two or a few.

After all, what do I have to lose?



2 comments:

Sandra Sealy said...

Hi Cheryl:

Congrats on your blogs! Found ya thru Google girl!

Well, I'm back up after major drama with ADSL. Come back to visit my Seawoman's Caribbean Writing Opps with updates.
URL: www.seawoman.wordpress.com

Also, if you're not on Facebook.com, get on there. Join my CARIBBEAN WRITERS.

Peace,
Sandra

Cheryl Wright said...

Hey Sandra,

Thanks for visiting and leaving a comment. I'll hoping over to see what you're up to at Facebook and Wordpress.

Cheryl

 
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