We are drawn to certain genres more than others. Sometimes, it depends on our moods and other times, it is because we are hungry and need to feed our souls. I read every night. Some nights, it may be news articles, essays, crazy tweets, FB posts, or movie reviews. Some nights, it may be short fiction, or a novel. But when I am feeling like chaos has exploded into my world and I need to find my rhythm, I read poetry. Poetry speaks to me in a way that is hard to describe. Perhaps, it is because we speak the same language.
This week, I want you to watch this TED Talk: Poetry: Why it is important. As you listen think about why he thinks poetry is important. Pull two items that resonate with you and explain why. Then I want you to post a poem of significance and explain why you have chosen this poem. Why is it significant to you? Why do you like it, love it, need it, return to it? Tell us why.
I found Scott Griffin’s poetry prize and his love for poetry very inspiring. It is amazing that even 60 years later, Griffin can still remember poems that he cited to his family at the dinner table. He relied on poetry whenever he was going through a transition or hard time in his life, and I believe that he still does. For one genre of art to fascinate a certain person so much that that person devotes their life to the cause is beautiful. One of my favorite parts of this talk was the last line when Griffin lists a ton of different types of art: Music, dance, painting. At the end of the list comes poetry, and that is when he says that all of these types of art define humanity; for him, it is defined by poetry. He brought up other valid points including the fact that poetry is just as important as fiction and nonfiction novels. But in a way, couldn’t poetry fit into those genres? Although poetry is a genre on its own, I believe that it is so complex that it can fit into multiple parameters. Poetry is a beautiful thing, and I believe that Griffin finds it important because he connects to it; for others, it may be one of those other types of art that they find the most impacting. Either way, Scott Griffin has definitely proved that poetry holds a significance in his life.
ReplyDeleteThe poem below is a piece of art that immediately stuck out to me. Ever since the beginning of time there has been arguments and wars over religion, race, sexuality, and much more. The reason I adore this poem is that it really puts society into perspective and allows the reader to immerse themselves in world diversity. Angelou writes, “We are more alike, my friends,
than we are unalike.” She talks about different continents and the norm at those certain locations; she talks about the fact that she has never seen two people exactly alike. And the reality is that we aren’t exactly alike, but we are more alike than what we claim to be. This poem is significant because it helps to slow the world down, and allows me to think about the diverse, unique, yet beautiful people around me.
Human Family by Maya Angelou
I note the obvious differences
in the human family.
Some of us are serious,
some thrive on comedy.
Some declare their lives are lived
as true profundity,
and others claim they really live
the real reality.
The variety of our skin tones
can confuse, bemuse, delight,
brown and pink and beige and purple,
tan and blue and white.
I've sailed upon the seven seas
and stopped in every land,
I've seen the wonders of the world
not yet one common man.
I know ten thousand women
called Jane and Mary Jane,
but I've not seen any two
who really were the same.
Mirror twins are different
although their features jibe,
and lovers think quite different thoughts
while lying side by side.
We love and lose in China,
we weep on England's moors,
and laugh and moan in Guinea,
and thrive on Spanish shores.
We seek success in Finland,
are born and die in Maine.
In minor ways we differ,
in major we're the same.
I note the obvious differences
between each sort and type,
but we are more alike, my friends,
than we are unalike.
We are more alike, my friends,
than we are unalike.
We are more alike, my friends,
than we are unalike.
Source: http://www.familyfriendpoems.com/poem/human-family-by-maya-angelou
¨Language is the mirror of the soul.¨ Scott Griffin begins his talk by addressing an anecdote explaining the importance of poetry in his life. I loved his connection that he had with his father and the poem about the Great Depression. This truly helps listeners to understand how deeply poetry can encapsulate memories and events in ways that directly reflect the characteristics that make up a man. I also respect the idea of committing poetry to memory in order to have lines and ideas become a part of oneself. Griffin so easily recited pieces of poetry within his talk in such a way that he radiated a power and appreciation in every word he spoke. Griffin stated that memorizing poetry is the closest one can ever get to a poem without having written it and I believe this to be true, for even if one is being forced to memorize, that being able to hold onto another´s words so closely means that in some way you have learned or formed an idea of its purpose and thus, the reader has grown as a person as well.
ReplyDeleteThe poem ¨Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening¨ is the first Robert Frost poem I had ever read and continues to be my favorite. The imagery and simplicity found in his words resonate with me in a way that helps me remember my childhood as well as reminding me of the things I must accomplish in the future. I also enjoy this poem greatly because it helps me to remember that no matter how busy my life gets, I will always have time to breath and enjoy my surroundings.
Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening
Robert Frost
Whose woods these are I think I know.
His house is in the village, though;
He will not see me stopping here
To watch his woods fill up with snow.
My little horse must think it queer
To stop without a farmhouse near
Between the woods and frozen lake
The darkest evening of the year.
He gives his harness bells a shake
To ask if there is some mistake.
The only other sound's the sweep
Of easy wind and downy flake.
The woods are lovely, dark and deep,
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.
Source: Collected Poems, Prose, & Plays (Library of America, 1995)
Griffin mentions that he felt poetry would last through his career, a midlife crisis, and anything else in his life. I think that this is a very interesting idea because you dont always realize how permanent things are. The things that we read now and things that we can read forever, and will always hold a message for us. Poetry especially carries a deep meaning to it that illuminates a social or moral issue and provides insight on it. Just by reading it throughout your lifetime you become a more literate person and become exposed to different kinds of thoughts. It can help shape how you think about things in your life time. He also discussed how he had to memorize and recite poetry. This immediatley made me think of my 8th grade Language Arts class because we would have to do that once a quater. It was intimidating at first, but I enjoyed the exposure to poetry, and although I was nervous to speak in front of the class, I loved reading it out loud. There is just something so beautiful about hearing poetry read out loud. The words flow and create a picture that may not have been seen just by reading. When I read poetry I like to recite it because I can connect to it more.
ReplyDeleteThe first poem that I ever recited was “O Captain, My Captain” by Walt Whitman. Being the first poem I had to memorize and research, it definetly holds a special place in my heart. I can feel the lose and despair that the Americans feel after President Lincoln was killed, and it gives me chills to think about. Everytime I read it, I am also reminded of Dead Poets Society, which is a movie that makes me cry everytime I watch it, so it just brings on a flood of emotions.
As for a ‘poem’ that has even more meaning to be, I love one of Roald Dahl’s excerpt from The Twists. I am hesitant to call this a poem, and it does not have a title, but it speaks to me in a way that poetry would. One line says, “but if you have good thoughts it will shine out of your face like sunbeams and you will always look lovely”. This line of the poem hangs up in my room, and I carry it around with me everyday. I got a tattoo in February of a small sun, and it represents that last line. It is to remind me to always stay postive, and that negative thoughts dont make things better. I focus in on it alot when I am stressed out because of school or golf, and it has become a special symbolm for me.
If a person has ugly thoughts, it begins to show on the face. And when that person has ugly thoughts every day, every week, every year, the face gets uglier and uglier until you can hardly bear to look at it.
A person who has good thoughts cannot ever be ugly. You can have a wonky nose and a crooked mouth and a double chin and stick-out teeth, but if you have good thoughts it will shine out of your face like sunbeams and you will always look lovely.
― Roald Dahl, The Twits
O Captain! My Captain! by Walt Whitman
O CAPTAIN! my Captain! our fearful trip is done;
The ship has weather'd every rack, the prize we sought is won;
The port is near, the bells I hear, the people all exulting,
While follow eyes the steady keel, the vessel grim and daring:
But O heart! heart! heart!
O the bleeding drops of red,
Where on the deck my Captain lies,
Fallen cold and dead.
O Captain! my Captain! rise up and hear the bells;
Rise up-for you the flag is flung-for you the bugle trills;
For you bouquets and ribbon'd wreaths-for you the shores a-crowding;
For you they call, the swaying mass, their eager faces turning;
Here Captain! dear father!
This arm beneath your head;
It is some dream that on the deck,
You've fallen cold and dead.
My Captain does not answer, his lips are pale and still;
My father does not feel my arm, he has no pulse nor will;
The ship is anchor'd safe and sound, its voyage closed and done;
From fearful trip, the victor ship, comes in with object won;
Exult, O shores, and ring, O bells!
But I, with mournful tread,
Walk the deck my Captain lies,
Fallen cold and dead.
Source : Poetry Foundation
Griffin mentions that he felt poetry would last through his career, a midlife crisis, and anything else in his life. I think that this is a very interesting idea because you dont always realize how permanent things are. The things that we read now and things that we can read forever, and will always hold a message for us. Poetry especially carries a deep meaning to it that illuminates a social or moral issue and provides insight on it. Just by reading it throughout your lifetime you become a more literate person and become exposed to different kinds of thoughts. It can help shape how you think about things in your life time. He also discussed how he had to memorize and recite poetry. This immediatley made me think of my 8th grade Language Arts class because we would have to do that once a quater. It was intimidating at first, but I enjoyed the exposure to poetry, and although I was nervous to speak in front of the class, I loved reading it out loud. There is just something so beautiful about hearing poetry read out loud. The words flow and create a picture that may not have been seen just by reading. When I read poetry I like to recite it because I can connect to it more.
ReplyDeleteThe first poem that I ever recited was “O Captain, My Captain” by Walt Whitman. Being the first poem I had to memorize and research, it definetly holds a special place in my heart. I can feel the lose and despair that the Americans feel after President Lincoln was killed, and it gives me chills to think about. Everytime I read it, I am also reminded of Dead Poets Society, which is a movie that makes me cry everytime I watch it, so it just brings on a flood of emotions.
As for a ‘poem’ that has even more meaning to be, I love one of Roald Dahl’s excerpt from The Twists. I am hesitant to call this a poem, and it does not have a title, but it speaks to me in a way that poetry would. One line says, “but if you have good thoughts it will shine out of your face like sunbeams and you will always look lovely”. This line of the poem hangs up in my room, and I carry it around with me everyday. I got a tattoo in February of a small sun, and it represents that last line. It is to remind me to always stay postive, and that negative thoughts dont make things better. I focus in on it alot when I am stressed out because of school or golf, and it has become a special symbolm for me.
If a person has ugly thoughts, it begins to show on the face. And when that person has ugly thoughts every day, every week, every year, the face gets uglier and uglier until you can hardly bear to look at it.
A person who has good thoughts cannot ever be ugly. You can have a wonky nose and a crooked mouth and a double chin and stick-out teeth, but if you have good thoughts it will shine out of your face like sunbeams and you will always look lovely.
― Roald Dahl, The Twits
O Captain! My Captain! by Walt Whitman
O CAPTAIN! my Captain! our fearful trip is done;
The ship has weather'd every rack, the prize we sought is won;
The port is near, the bells I hear, the people all exulting,
While follow eyes the steady keel, the vessel grim and daring:
But O heart! heart! heart!
O the bleeding drops of red,
Where on the deck my Captain lies,
Fallen cold and dead.
O Captain! my Captain! rise up and hear the bells;
Rise up-for you the flag is flung-for you the bugle trills;
For you bouquets and ribbon'd wreaths-for you the shores a-crowding;
For you they call, the swaying mass, their eager faces turning;
Here Captain! dear father!
This arm beneath your head;
It is some dream that on the deck,
You've fallen cold and dead.
My Captain does not answer, his lips are pale and still;
My father does not feel my arm, he has no pulse nor will;
The ship is anchor'd safe and sound, its voyage closed and done;
From fearful trip, the victor ship, comes in with object won;
Exult, O shores, and ring, O bells!
But I, with mournful tread,
Walk the deck my Captain lies,
Fallen cold and dead.
Source : Poetry Foundation
Poetry is such an underrated form of art. At the end of the TED Talk, Poetry: Why it is important, speaker Scott Griffin explains “All the arts, whether it be music, dance, painting, or poetry, define our humanity, but the greatest of these to me...is poetry.” While in my eyes, all forms of art are equal, poetry is definitely a type to stand out. Poetry is “the language mirror of the soul”. It is simply amazing how this art has the ability transforms emotions into a beautiful combination of words. Griffin explains how poetry “with a few lines, gives the full range of human experience.” It has the ability to encompass the mixture of feelings into one entity. This is why I chose the poem “Desiderata”. While I already used this poem in a previous blog, I want to reiterate its importance to me. I read this poem almost every day. It can get me through any emotion I encounter. This poem holds great life advice that can be applied to an individual every day. “Be yourself” and “Be cheerful” are lines I stand by firmly. Desiderata has helped me through both good and bad times, and I return to it often. Griffin speaks how the recurrence to a poem, “can help to connect and enrich our lives”, and I know Desiderata has. Poetry has an unbelievable impact on people, and needs to be revived in the daily lives of humanity.
ReplyDeleteDesiderata
Go placidly amid the noise and haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.
As far as possible without surrender
be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly;
and listen to others,
even the dull and the ignorant;
they too have their story.
Avoid loud and aggressive persons,
they are vexations to the spirit.
If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain and bitter;
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.
Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs;
for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals;
and everywhere life is full of heroism.
Be yourself.
Especially, do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love;
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment
it is as perennial as the grass.
Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.
Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.
You are a child of the universe,
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.
Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be,
and whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul.
With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful.
Strive to be happy.
Max Ehrmann, Desiderata, Copyright 1952.
One sentence that Griffin said stood out to me above all others. "With the recitation of that poem I had grown up, and he recognized it". This sentence sticks with me because it shows the power of poetry and its ability to convey a message and bring people to a common understanding. Last week we talked about music being poetry and how that poetry impacts the world. The poem that Griffin memorized exemplifies that idea of the power of poetry. The other aspect of Griffin's speech that impacted me was his story of boarding school. He talks about his headmaster who could make history come alive, recite poetry, and draw a perfect map of Canada. Describing this man I was reminded of the lost art of language and knowledge, true knowledge. As Griffin goes on to discuss the loss of interest in poetry I felt saddened that I do not have that love. His discussion spurred me to become more interested and knowledgeable.
ReplyDelete"The sun was shining on the sea,
DeleteShining with all his might:
He did his very best to make
The billows smooth and bright —
And this was odd, because it was
The middle of the night.
The moon was shining sulkily,
Because she thought the sun
Had got no business to be there
After the day was done —
"It's very rude of him," she said,
"To come and spoil the fun."
The sea was wet as wet could be,
The sands were dry as dry.
You could not see a cloud, because
No cloud was in the sky:
No birds were flying overhead —
There were no birds to fly.
The Walrus and the Carpenter
Were walking close at hand;
They wept like anything to see
Such quantities of sand:
If this were only cleared away,'
They said, it would be grand!'
If seven maids with seven mops
Swept it for half a year,
Do you suppose,' the Walrus said,
That they could get it clear?'
I doubt it,' said the Carpenter,
And shed a bitter tear.
O Oysters, come and walk with us!'
The Walrus did beseech.
A pleasant walk, a pleasant talk,
Along the briny beach:
We cannot do with more than four,
To give a hand to each.'
The eldest Oyster looked at him,
But never a word he said:
The eldest Oyster winked his eye,
And shook his heavy head —
Meaning to say he did not choose
To leave the oyster-bed.
But four young Oysters hurried up,
All eager for the treat:
Their coats were brushed, their faces washed,
Their shoes were clean and neat —
And this was odd, because, you know,
They hadn't any feet.
Four other Oysters followed them,
And yet another four;
And thick and fast they came at last,
And more, and more, and more —
All hopping through the frothy waves,
And scrambling to the shore.
The Walrus and the Carpenter
Walked on a mile or so,
And then they rested on a rock
Conveniently low:
And all the little Oysters stood
And waited in a row.
The time has come,' the Walrus said,
To talk of many things:
Of shoes — and ships — and sealing-wax —
Of cabbages — and kings —
And why the sea is boiling hot —
And whether pigs have wings.'
But wait a bit,' the Oysters cried,
Before we have our chat;
For some of us are out of breath,
And all of us are fat!'
No hurry!' said the Carpenter.
They thanked him much for that.
A loaf of bread,' the Walrus said,
Is what we chiefly need:
Pepper and vinegar besides
Are very good indeed —
Now if you're ready, Oysters dear,
We can begin to feed.'
But not on us!' the Oysters cried,
Turning a little blue.
After such kindness, that would be
A dismal thing to do!'
The night is fine,' the Walrus said.
Do you admire the view?
It was so kind of you to come!
And you are very nice!'
The Carpenter said nothing but
Cut us another slice:
I wish you were not quite so deaf —
I've had to ask you twice!'
It seems a shame,' the Walrus said,
To play them such a trick,
After we've brought them out so far,
And made them trot so quick!'
The Carpenter said nothing but
The butter's spread too thick!'
I weep for you,' the Walrus said:
I deeply sympathize.'
With sobs and tears he sorted out
Those of the largest size,
Holding his pocket-handkerchief
Before his streaming eyes.
O Oysters,' said the Carpenter,
You've had a pleasant run!
Shall we be trotting home again?'
But answer came there none —
And this was scarcely odd, because
They'd eaten every one."
One of the main reasons I love this poem so much is it is the very first published poem I ever heard. My grandfather has it committed to memory and used to recite it often when I was a little boy. This is significant beyond it just being a fond memory. It sparked an interest in learning, in the meaning of things and the importance of detail. Its message about discernment in youth was a very wise one to share with me as a child and has stuck with me through my development into a young man.
DeleteOne point that resonated with me from the video was the quote, "Poetry is the essence of language, and language is the mirror of the soul." This is much an important point because when an author writes poetry there is no holding back. They pour their heart and souls onto page that creates a masterpiece. There have been so many poems written in so many different languages. This goes to show that poetry has no barriers. The competition that Griffin explained is another point that stuck with me though the video. The competition has helped to further introduce poetry in its natural, untranslated state. Students must recite a poem in its original language in front of judges and an audience. This also help student with their public speaking.
ReplyDelete“I cannot go to school today,"
Said little Peggy Ann McKay.
“I have the measles and the mumps,
A gash, a rash and purple bumps.
My mouth is wet, my throat is dry,
I’m going blind in my right eye.
My tonsils are as big as rocks,
I’ve counted sixteen chicken pox
And there’s one more—that’s seventeen,
And don’t you think my face looks green?
My leg is cut—my eyes are blue—
It might be instamatic flu.
I cough and sneeze and gasp and choke,
I’m sure that my left leg is broke—
My hip hurts when I move my chin,
My belly button’s caving in,
My back is wrenched, my ankle’s sprained,
My ‘pendix pains each time it rains.
My nose is cold, my toes are numb.
I have a sliver in my thumb.
My neck is stiff, my voice is weak,
I hardly whisper when I speak.
My tongue is filling up my mouth,
I think my hair is falling out.
My elbow’s bent, my spine ain’t straight,
My temperature is one-o-eight.
My brain is shrunk, I cannot hear,
There is a hole inside my ear.
I have a hangnail, and my heart is—what?
What’s that? What’s that you say?
You say today is. . .Saturday?
G’bye, I’m going out to play!”
I like this poem because there is a twist at the end. The humor of the poem is understood by children because the theme plays upon a very common childhood stunt. Virtually every child attempts to convince his parents that he is too sick to go to school at least once and even invents symptoms as Peggy Ann does by claiming her belly button is "caving in." The poem becomes funnier as Peggy Ann's symptoms steadily build and become more dire until the climax, when Peggy Ann learns that it is Saturday. She then is suddenly well enough to play outside.
One point that resonates with me is that poetry is a language of the soul. Poetry can be as brief as only a few lines, but that brevity contains a profound meaning. Poetry with its metric feeling, gives rhythm to our lives and keeps us on track, looking back on our lives at the same times. The example that he used when he recited a poem about the Great Depression to his father truly showed how those events have shaped a person’s soul and how poetry can reveal that aspect of a person. Another point is when he said that memorizing a line of poetry would enrich our lives and be the closest to writing a poem. This is so true, especially since Griffin recited the poems with such conviction and power that it amazed me. It showed me that you don’t have to be a writer to feel the poem in your heart. As he said, the combination of such powerful words is what creates the meaning, rather than the “scrutiny of one word”.
ReplyDeleteI truly enjoy the poem “The Road Not Taken” because the extended metaphor of the paths compared to paths in life captures me. The imagery of the paths are so distinct and vivid, making me feel as if I am there with the speakers, deciding which path to go along. However, there is a sort of simplicity in the idea of paths in life and in the brevity of the lines that somehow have a tremendous impact on the overall meaning of the poem. The theme that the harder path may be the most satisfactory one really resonates with my principles as a human being.
The Road Not Taken
Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;
Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,
And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.
I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.
Source: Poetry Foundation
The opening line of the Ted Talk about poetry being “the essence of language and language is the mirror of the soul” is very powerful. It describes how influential poetry can be and how much emotion is poured into every line. In order to write a strong piece of poetry, I believe the author must focus on word choice and how the words connect with each other, while also showing strong emotions to the story being conveyed. Another statement that resonated with me was at the very end where he said, “ All the arts, whether it be music, dance, painting, or poetry, define humanity”. All forms of art are beautiful to have in life, and I really believe every human has a “soft spot” for literature of any kind. All art forms can be used to convey messages, good and bad or happy and sad. Art is so open ended and there are endless possibilities about what to write about or what story to tell, there’s something for everyone to love.
ReplyDeleteOne poem I really enjoy is Do Not Stand At My Grave and Weep by Mary Elizabeth Frye.
Do not stand at my grave and weep
I am not there. I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow.
I am the diamond glints on snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain.
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awaken in the morning's hush
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry;
I am not there. I did not die.
I enjoy this poem because it takes a whole new perspective on death. Frye here is stating that she does not want her loved ones to live at her grave, letting her death burden them. She believes that after her physical body leaves the earth, she will still be with them. I like this because even though death is a sad matter, Frye tries to show the comfort and peace of death. Everybody dies eventually and it is normal to be afraid of death, giving it a bad connotation. But in this poem, she has an assertive tone, that transitions into a more soft tone, describing that death can be and should be peaceful.
Scott Griffin’s depiction about the impact that poetry has had in his life was inspiring. It is interesting how poetry, the thing that was used as a punishment in his childhood, has turned into something that he has grown an appreciation and value for. The first thing that stood out to me is when Griffin mentioned that he believes that poetry will remain with him through all of the hardships in life. I can understand why Griffin says that poetry will remain with him because of my own connections with my favorite poets. My favorite well-known poets are Dickinson, Plath, and Hawthorne. What I love about each of these poets is that I can connect with what they have to say in almost every poem. The connection that I share with these poets is something that I can come back to in the times when I need their words the most. They help me get through my own hardships by either inspiring me or allowing me to feel understood. Griffin also mentions that each type of art defines our humanity and that he perceives poetry to be the greatest. I agree with his assertion that poetry is the greatest (with music in a close second for me). The reason why I love poetry is because it’s a way that individuals can pour out their souls onto paper. They “define our humanity” by illustrating what it is to be human in all aspects and perspectives. Whether it is to illustrate the absurd corrupt government, to lust over the beauty of love, or to discuss the impact of a mental illness, poets put a pen to paper and let their minds run wild. There is a particular, indescribable genuinity in poetry that you simply cannot find anywhere else (in my opinion), and that is what I love most about poetry.
ReplyDeleteThis poem is titled “I Taught Myself To Live Simply” by Anna Akhmatova. In this poem, Akhmatova talks about her simplistic pleasures in life. Instead of being like the rest of humanity by driving herself crazy striving for wealth, etc., she simply submerges herself in the simplistic joys of life by forgetting her useless worries to allow herself to enjoy the beauty of nature and her relationship with God. The last two lines of this poem are my favorite because they emphasize the magnitude of her serenity in life by illustrating that she is content to such an extent that she won’t be bothered even if someone knocks on her door. The reason I love this poem is because it puts into perspective the importance of just being happy with the little things in life.
I Taught Myself to Live Simply by Anna Akhmatova
I taught myself to live simply and wisely,
to look at the sky and pray to God,
and to wander long before evening
to tire my superfluous worries.
When the burdocks rustle in the ravine
and the yellow-red rowanberry cluster droops
I compose happy verses
about life's decay, decay and beauty.
I come back. The fluffy cat
licks my palm, purrs so sweetly
and the fire flares bright
on the saw-mill turret by the lake.
Only the cry of a stork landing on the roof
occasionally breaks the silence.
If you knock on my door
I may not even hear.
I always think it is awesome to see people speak on that which they are truly passionate, whatever the topic may be. Scott Griffin’s speech showed just how much he truly loved poetry and the effects it has on people. One of the points he made that really interested me is the idea he proposed that hearing poetry is the only way to truly understand it short of actually having written it. His comment made me think of all of the times I have heard poems read aloud, and how the words and inflection had affected me. For me, hearing a poem or story read passionately aloud has always offered more meaning than analyzing. I could tear every phrase, every hidden meaning, every punctuation marks out of a poem and try to assemble it into something understandable; but then I hear it read, and none of that seems to matter. Truly understanding a poem is not always being able to articulate the them or explain this word choice, but something unexplainable that I feel.
ReplyDeleteThe second point that stuck with me, and saddened me, was that poetry has fallen largely out of favor. Of course, I knew that it had, especially after spending years in schools hearing the collective groan arise in any class where poetry was so much as mentioned. I think that this is in part caused by how old many of the best poems are, and because of instructors who claim that a student’s interpretation of the work is wrong. In my opinion, there is really no wrong way to receive or analyze any work, but in may Language Arts classes, it seems that there is only one “right” way to do things. On that note, the poem I chose to share this week is “The Haunted Palace” by Edgar Allan Poe:
In the greenest of our valleys
By good angels tenanted,
Once a fair and stately palace-
Radiant palace- reared its head.
In the monarch Thought's dominion-
It stood there!
Never seraph spread a pinion
Over fabric half so fair!
Banners yellow, glorious, golden,
On its roof did float and flow,
(This- all this- was in the olden
Time long ago,)
And every gentle air that dallied,
In that sweet day,
Along the ramparts plumed and pallid,
A winged odor went away.
Wanderers in that happy valley,
Through two luminous windows, saw
Spirits moving musically,
To a lute's well-tuned law,
Round about a throne where, sitting
(Porphyrogene!)
In state his glory well-befitting,
The ruler of the realm was seen.
And all with pearl and ruby glowing
Was the fair palace door,
Through which came flowing, flowing, flowing,
And sparkling evermore,
A troop of Echoes, whose sweet duty
Was but to sing,
In voices of surpassing beauty,
The wit and wisdom of their king.
But evil things, in robes of sorrow,
Assailed the monarch's high estate.
(Ah, let us mourn!- for never morrow
Shall dawn upon him desolate!)
And round about his home the glory
That blushed and bloomed,
Is but a dim-remembered story
Of the old time entombed.
And travellers, now, within that valley,
Through the red-litten windows see
Vast forms, that move fantastically
To a discordant melody,
While, like a ghastly rapid river,
Through the pale door
A hideous throng rush out forever
And laugh- but smile no more.
This poem is significant to me because it was the very first poem I ever analyzed and felt that I had a true understanding of it afterward. I also loved the way the poem was written and the way it conveyed its meaning, I am always grateful for rhyme in poetry, and for ghost and castle stories. The way the poem is written seems to just flow through the mind or off of the tongue. Beyond that, Poe conveys a lesson that we all must learn: that everything beautiful eventually falls apart. Beautiful language and tragic imagery work together to create the idea that these two opposing ideas can coexist in literature and in ourselves.
At the beginning of his Ted Talk, Poetry: Why it is important, Scott Griffin states, “Poetry is the essence of language and language is the mirror of the soul.” This quote stood out to me because it represents how poetry is a vital part of everyone's life. Poetry is used as form of expression, inspiration and reflection. Writers of poetry use their strong voice as inspiration to readers. I also found it interesting how Griffin went from a boy who had to memorize poetry as a punishment to someone who had a true passion for poetry. All it took was some time reading and truly understanding poetry for Griffin to realize the importance of it. Poetry can positively impact anyone who takes the time to read many different types and styles of poems. Griffin address how poetry is not as deeply studied as it once was. In order to change that, he used what he learned from reading and memorizing poetry to create the Griffin Poetry Prize and help reestablish the importance of poetry in schools. Griffin’s Ted Talk shows his admiration for poetry and it’s place in his life. One poem that I really enjoy is “Nothing Gold Can Stay” by Robert Frost. Although this poem is short it reminds me in the good times and in the bad times that nothing will last forever. The imagery and rhyme shows how things are always changing. Things that are beautiful and pure will slip away just as quickly as they came. I return to this poem to help me process change and accept the things that are happening around me.
ReplyDeleteNothing Gold Can Stay By Robert Frost
Nature’s first green is gold,
Her hardest hue to hold.
Her early leaf’s a flower;
But only so an hour.
Then leaf subsides to leaf.
So Eden sank to grief,
So dawn goes down to day.
Nothing gold can stay.
One idea that really resonated with me was when Scott Griffin says that he realized poetry would outlast future careers in business, family, and midlife crises. This is important to me because I feel like it's true of all art, and is one of the main purposes behind art. While things like jobs or relationships are temporary, art exists of an entirely different nature, a permanent nature.
ReplyDeleteAnother moment of Griffin's speech that resonated with me is when he talks about all of the statues of poets that he saw in Romania. It's really interesting that some nations idolize their poets to that extent, whereas the U.S. makes idols out of sports stars and women with really big lips. I personally think society would benefit from putting more emphasis on the fine arts and less on competitive sports and reality TV, and I think that is more or less the point that Griffin is trying to make when he points this out.
A poem that means a lot to me is "Sunflower Sutra" by Allen Ginsberg (who gets a shoutout in the beginning of Griffin's speech). This poem is very significant to me because my best friend gave me the "Howl and other poems" collection and in the front cover he wrote:
Sierra,
This was one of the most influential volumes of poetry in my life. Sunflower Sutra and Howl changed how I write, how I think. I hope they can have a similar effect on you. Love always.
The last verse is the most impactful:
We’re not our skin of grime, we’re not dread bleak dusty imageless locomotives, we’re golden sunflowers inside, blessed by our own seed & hairy naked accomplishment-bodies growing into mad black formal sunflowers in the sunset, spied on by our own eyes under the shadow of the mad locomotive riverbank sunset Frisco hilly tincan evening sitdown vision.
This piece is comforting for me because it creates a sense of reality and a beauty in that reality. It says that we have the potential to be beautiful, be great, despite what's around us or what is done to us. It says that the world is a forgiving place, if we allow it to be, that we as people, as sunflowers, have the ability within ourselves to make our lives and our worlds good.
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ReplyDeleteDuring his Ted Talk, Griffin compares poetry to music: “Dylan Thomas is able to make music with words: words that reach beyond definition into imagination.” I find this comparison interesting, considering he outrage in the literary community concerning Bob Dylan’s achievement. Griffin draws this comparison by realizing the chaotic nature of poetry when analyzed as separate phrases and lines, as well as its amazing emotion-stirring qualities when listened to as a whole, despite its chaotic nature. The humanity that Griffin feels when analyzing, reciting, and listening to poetry parallels the humanity I feel when listening to music. When listening to harmonies and partials independently, music doesn’t make any sense. However, when these harmonies, melodies, and parts come together to form chords, music becomes an emotional experience.
ReplyDeleteGriffin also compares the reverence for art in other countries to his the reverence for art in his own country: Canada. This comment on systems of education reminds me of the problems we encounter with art in our schools. Emphasis is put on math and science, which is important in society, but not in everybody’s personal life. Art, however, has the potential to touch everyone, and should thus be treated with equal importance.
I poem that I relate to is “He Would Never Use One Word Where None Would Do” by Philip Levine. This poem shows the beauty of a friendship that can be reassured without relying on spoken communication. Levine demonstrates how a relationship becomes almost divine only after comfort can be given, even through silence.
If you said "Nice day," he would look up
at the three clouds riding overhead,
nod at each, and go back to doing what-
ever he was doing or not doing.
If you asked for a smoke or a light,
he'd hand you whatever he found
in his pockets: a jackknife, a hankie --
usually unsoiled -- a dollar bill,
a subway token. Once he gave me
half the sandwich he was eating
at the little outdoor restaurant
on La Guardia Place. I remember
a single sparrow was perched on the back
of his chair, and when he held out
a piece of bread on his open palm,
the bird snatched it up and went back to
its place without even a thank you,
one hard eye staring at my bad eye
as though I were next. That was in May
of '97, spring had come late,
but the sun warmed both of us for hours
while silence prevailed, if you can call
the blaring of taxi horns and the trucks
fighting for parking and the kids on skates
streaming past silence. My friend Frankie
was such a comfort to me that year,
the year of the crisis. He would turn
up his great dark head just going gray
until his eyes met mine, and that was all
I needed to go on talking nonsense
as he sat patiently waiting me out,
the bird staring over his shoulder.
"Silence is silver," my Zaydee had said,
getting it wrong and right, just as he said
"Water is thicker than blood," thinking
this made him a real American.
Frankie was already American,
being half German, half Indian.
Fact is, silence is the perfect water:
unlike rain it falls from no clouds
to wash our minds, to ease our tired eyes,
to give heart to the thin blades of grass
fighting through the concrete for even air
dirtied by our endless stream of words.
Scott Griffin’s speech about poetry was very touching and inspiring to me. A line that stood out to me is spoken about halfway through his speech: “It appeared to me that poetry would be something that would last and be more powerful and go beyond and survive a future career in business, a midlife crisis, and the growing demands of family life.” I think this part was especially beautiful. Not only does it really show how strongly he feels about poetry and how much it means to him, but it actually changed the way I personally viewed writing in general. I love writing and books and literature, but poetry has never really stood out to me. That quote can be interpreted into pretty much anyway necessary for one’s own life. For me, I saw the quote as speaking more about writing books than poetry, and it comforted me in a way. It makes me feel almost safe, knowing that I will always have my writing as a stress reliever and way to express myself. Towards the end of the speech when Griffin starts reciting a poem and then mentioning different forms of art, you can truly see his passion for what he’s talking about. His ability to recite poetry so easily and his attitude towards what he is talking about really caught my attention throughout the whole speech.
ReplyDeleteA Poem I love is “Phenomenal Woman” by Maya Angelou. It is so empowering and well written, and it reminds me to be proud of who I am.
Pretty women wonder where my secret lies.
I'm not cute or built to suit a fashion model's size
But when I start to tell them,
They think I'm telling lies.
I say,
It's in the reach of my arms
The span of my hips,
The stride of my step,
The curl of my lips.
I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.
I walk into a room
Just as cool as you please,
And to a man,
The fellows stand or
Fall down on their knees.
Then they swarm around me,
A hive of honey bees.
I say,
It's the fire in my eyes,
And the flash of my teeth,
The swing in my waist,
And the joy in my feet.
I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.
Men themselves have wondered
What they see in me.
They try so much
But they can't touch
My inner mystery.
When I try to show them
They say they still can't see.
I say,
It's in the arch of my back,
The sun of my smile,
The ride of my breasts,
The grace of my style.
I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.
Now you understand
Just why my head's not bowed.
I don't shout or jump about
Or have to talk real loud.
When you see me passing
It ought to make you proud.
I say,
It's in the click of my heels,
The bend of my hair,
the palm of my hand,
The need of my care,
'Cause I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.
While watching Scott Griffin’s TED talk on why poetry is important a lot of what he said truly connected with me, but one of the things he said that really stuck out to me was that to truly understand a piece of poetry one must commit the poem to memory. I think this is a wonderful idea because I know if I were to memorize a poem, I would not simply memorize, I would analyze the words I was memorizing and relate them to things in my past or present. Relating to poetry pieces is something I love to do and I think Scott Griffin wants us to memorize our favorite poems so we always have something to fall back on when we need a constant in our lives. Another point of his that resonated with me was the last thing he said, which was that all the arts, not only poetry, define our humanity. I love that he brought this point up because individuals not only use poetry as a means of expression, but we use music, painting, sculpting, dancing, and many more artforms to show others how we feel or think. I also like that he mentioned this because he is acknowledging the fact that one artform is not better than another, but all artforms are equal to each other in quality because everyone’s expressions matter even if they are made in different ways.
ReplyDeleteThe untitled poem below is one written by Rupi Kaur who is one of my favorite poets. I love this poem so much because it emphasizes the idea that people can’t sit around and wait for fate to control their lives. We must make our own future and our own decisions so that we can live a life led by us rather than an imaginary thing called “fate”. Kaur writes, “who convinced you. you’ve been given a heart and a mind that isn’t yours to use. that your actions do not define what will become of you,” which really resonates with me because other people cannot force you to love or hate another person, you do that all on your own. Other people do not make you make this decision or that decision because your mind is your own. So, why would you be given free will if none of these things were decided by you?
you said. if it is meant to be. fate will bring us back together. for a second i wonder if you are really that naive. if you really believe fate works like that. as if it lives in the sky staring down at uus. s if it has five fingers and spends its time placing us like pieces of chess. as if it is not the choices we make. who taught you that. tell me. who convinced you. you’ve been given a heart and a mind that isn’t yours to use. that your actions do not define what will become of you. i want to scream and shout it is us you fool. we’re the only ones that can bring us back together. but instead i sit quietly, smiling softly through quivering lips thinking. isn’t it such a tragic thing. when you can see it so clearly but the other person doesn’t.
Source: Milk and Honey by Rupi Kaur
While watching Scott Griffin’s TED talk on why poetry is important a lot of what he said truly connected with me, but one of the things he said that really stuck out to me was that to truly understand a piece of poetry one must commit the poem to memory. I think this is a wonderful idea because I know if I were to memorize a poem, I would not simply memorize, I would analyze the words I was memorizing and relate them to things in my past or present. Relating to poetry pieces is something I love to do and I think Scott Griffin wants us to memorize our favorite poems so we always have something to fall back on when we need a constant in our lives. Another point of his that resonated with me was the last thing he said, which was that all the arts, not only poetry, define our humanity. I love that he brought this point up because individuals not only use poetry as a means of expression, but we use music, painting, sculpting, dancing, and many more artforms to show others how we feel or think. I also like that he mentioned this because he is acknowledging the fact that one artform is not better than another, but all artforms are equal to each other in quality because everyone’s expressions matter even if they are made in different ways.
ReplyDeleteThe untitled poem below is one written by Rupi Kaur who is one of my favorite poets. I love this poem so much because it emphasizes the idea that people can’t sit around and wait for fate to control their lives. We must make our own future and our own decisions so that we can live a life led by us rather than an imaginary thing called “fate”. Kaur writes, “who convinced you. you’ve been given a heart and a mind that isn’t yours to use. that your actions do not define what will become of you,” which really resonates with me because other people cannot force you to love or hate another person, you do that all on your own. Other people do not make you make this decision or that decision because your mind is your own. So, why would you be given free will if none of these things were decided by you?
you said. if it is meant to be. fate will bring us back together. for a second i wonder if you are really that naive. if you really believe fate works like that. as if it lives in the sky staring down at uus. s if it has five fingers and spends its time placing us like pieces of chess. as if it is not the choices we make. who taught you that. tell me. who convinced you. you’ve been given a heart and a mind that isn’t yours to use. that your actions do not define what will become of you. i want to scream and shout it is us you fool. we’re the only ones that can bring us back together. but instead i sit quietly, smiling softly through quivering lips thinking. isn’t it such a tragic thing. when you can see it so clearly but the other person doesn’t.
Source: Milk and Honey by Rupi Kaur
One thing I really, really enjoy is when Griffin starts to recite what sounds like slam poetry around the 2:30 mark. I hate to admit it, but I’ve never really viewed slam poetry as… credible… as your standard poem. But to hear an older gentleman who has established a poetry prize speak so eloquently, it has made me realize that just because something isn’t what you expect doesn’t mean that it doesn’t have any meaning or worth. Knowing that he comes from a background where poetry is really important helps me see that it expresses meaning and paints an image of how a person is feeling in the midst of strife. Another two things I liked, intertwined together, were that he mentioned was how poetry doesn’t have much of a presence in our school system, and he states earlier in the talk that “language is the mirror of the soul.” I think reciting poetry cultures a more intelligent, emotionally aware individual. Everyone thinks intelligence is just common sense and/or book smarts, but really it’s so much more. I don’t have much common sense (oh my gosh, sometimes I’m so stupid, you have no idea) and sometimes I’m not very book smart (science class, for example), but emotional intelligence is something so important that so few people possess. The ability to understand and culture the emotions of not only yourself, but others leads to people connecting with each other more and more societal peace. I think poetry allows people to express themselves in a way that is scholarly, but also very emotionally intense. If schools taught students more significant poetry, our youth would be smarter and more compassionate. “Poetry is just as important as fiction and nonfiction.” If we can teach our students poetry, they’ll be golden.
ReplyDeleteHonestly, I’m not that much into poetry. I think it’s a fantastic art form, but I don’t have the motivation to seek it, and it’s not really my thing. Most often, I get lost in books, and I usually get my poetry fill from choral arrangements of pre-existing poems. However, there is one poem I find impactful and thought-provoking: “Los novios” (“The Couple”) by Octavio Paz. I remember hearing it in the choral piece “A Boy and a Girl” by Eric Whitacre, and the music fits perfectly with the words. It’s rather lovely. The English text is almost an exact translation of the original Spanish:
Stretched out on the grass,
a boy and a girl.
Savoring their oranges,
giving their kisses like waves exchanging foam.
Stretched out on the beach,
a boy and a girl.
Savoring their limes,
giving their kisses like clouds exchanging foam.
Stretched out underground,
a boy and a girl.
Saying nothing, never kissing,
giving silence for silence.
Source: Octarium, Modern Masters (Nov 2011).
Choral arrangement: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rpog3w98Tz0
DeleteThe poem is so simplistic, and I never really understood the last stanza until about eleventh grade (I was a very naive child. Still am a naive adult). I love how Paz uses anaphora to connect the different stages of the relationship, and interweaving them so the same feeling remains through the entirety of the couple’s lives. Call me cheesy, but ever since I first heard this poem, I always wanted a relationship like this one. In the first stanza, I imagine them lying in a grassy meadow, looking up at the clouds, in puppy love. Everything is innocent and sweet, and their kisses are like so. I like how he mentions kisses in association with the innocence, because I think it is all too often that we think of physical affection in a more… meaningless, sexual manner. But this kiss is something so pure, so innocent, that embodies their love. I also like how in the second stanza, Paz compares the clouds to the waves. The earth is one, and he connects it just how he connects the rest of the poem. The couple stays together even when times are sour, just because of how unconditional their love is. But my favorite stanza (and I think most people’s) is the last one. Even though the couple has died, they are still together in spirit, exchanging their love, despite it not being physical. Most people think of death as something sad, but this makes the death out to be happy, which I think is how the couple actually passed. Especially since he used the phrase “stretched out.” It’s almost as if the couple is still alive, and this was how they interacted when they were alive. I really love this poem, and I love what Whitacre did in the choral arrangement. After the last stanza, the choir continues to hum the melody, symbolizing that the love is still going strong and their silent messages will live with them forever.
What resonated with me is simply Scott Griffin’s love for poetry and his early association with poetry, as my father is also very well read and imposed that upon me. Scott stated, “Poetry is the essence of language and language is the mirror of the soul. Poetry is able to deliver with just a few lines the full range of human experience.” Quite honestly poetry is my favorite form of literature, and I am able to feel more passion and emotion when reading poetry: I feel, as Scott stated, the “human experience.” Poetry does not sit well with many because of its intensity. It is very hard to limit such a gravitating message within one page, so some readers are overwhelmed by its weight but I feel invigorated. I love unwrapping it and finding the poem’s core meaning, or what the poem has to comment on society and life in general. Also another topic that struck home was Canada’s and also the United State’s lack of appreciation for poetry in comparison to the rest of the world. Poetry is not often taught in school, in comparison to books, and readings are few and far inbetween. Most of my friends think poetry is “boring” or that it “doesn’t make any sense” and there is no true respect for poetry within the common public of America. Personally, I believe that poetry should be appreciated just as much as fiction and nonfiction is and read as causally and often as them.
ReplyDeleteWhen I think of my favorite poems a very unconventional book come to mind: Shel Silverstein’s “Where the Sidewalk Ends.” A very worn copy of this book now rests in my hands and it brings back memories of my childhood and of my parents reading to me every night. My dad often read very complex books of literary merit while my mother often read Shel Silverstein’s works to me, this book being my very favorite. One poem that sticks out to me is the very last of the entire book called, “The Search.”
The Search
I went to find the pot of gold
That’s waiting where the rainbow ends.
I searched and searched and searched and searched
And searched and searched, and then⎯
There it was, deep in the grass,
Under an old and twisty bough.
It’s mine, it’s mine, it’s mine at last. . . .
What do I search for now?
This book of poems is significant to me because it reminds me of my childhood and the beginning of my love of books and poetry in particular. This poem has always made me question human’s unquenchable need to set and accomplish goals, to always achieve and conquer. As a child I recognized its importance but loved it in a sort of puzzling way and as I have matured and grown I can finally draw conclusions. Overall I continue to come back to Shel Silverstein as he is a wonderful writter and continues to teach me as I grow.
While expounding upon the musicality of the language of Dylan Thomas, Griffin made a noteworthy point about the power of poetry. He said something along the lines that Thomas was able to make music with words, and by such, the words themselves would transcend definition and become imagination. I have felt that way through many a reading when I was truly moved by the words and the rhythm in a poem. At such points I feel as if I've drifted far off into seas traversed. In short, I feel like Le Bateau Ivre, the titular narrator of Rimbaud's "The Drunken Boat."
ReplyDeleteArthur Rimbaud and the musicality of poetry go hand in hand. The images provoked by his equations of words are ingrained in my memory.
A perfect example of the use of literary skill to displace the reader from reality to what lies beyond or underneath (what is inevitably linked with the imagination), such would be any part of his poem The Drunken Boat (Le Bateau Ivre).
Comme je descendais des Fleuves impassibles,
Je ne me sentis plus guidé par les haleurs :
Des Peaux-Rouges criards les avaient pris pour cibles
Les ayant cloués nus aux poteaux de couleurs.
J'étais insoucieux de tous les équipages,
Porteur de blés flamands ou de cotons anglais.
Quand avec mes haleurs ont fini ces tapages
Les Fleuves m'ont laissé descendre où je voulais.
The plastic language suits the dream-like quality of the boat's liberation, as the haulers have been killed nude by Indians, leaving the boat the roam the waters as it pleases, liberated from the weighty luggage.
The poetry of Rimbaud has long been of great importance to me. Rimbaud was a true sort of visionary and a precursor to the surrealists as well. I began reading his poetry when I was 13. His poetry, with it's lucid depictions of such sensations as one finds in his Illuminations, A Season in Hell (Une Saison en Enfer), or poems like "Vowels".
On thinking of the poetry of Rimbaud, I am reminded of Scott's remark that poetry, in a few lines, encompasses the full range of human experience. How true this is of the poetry of Arthur Rimbaud! In Rimbaud, one finds dreams, nightmare, the commonplace, the erotic, and the ugliness of the mundane. None of life was unworthy of literature for Rimbaud. Rimbaud simply liberated it from reason. His poetry, finds it's truth in the disorientation of the senses, of time, of reality.Just see the beginning of his prose- poem After the Flood("Après Le Deluge"):
"As soon as the idea of the Flood was finished, a hare halted in the clover and the trembling flower bells, and said its prayer to the rainbow through the spider’s web.
"Oh! The precious stones that hid, – the flowers that gazed around them."
Rimbaud is a poet to whose works I'll return until the end of my days. He is the poet who, first and foremost, arises in my mind when I hear the way Scott describes the greatness of a poet such as Thomas. He is a poet of illusions, who realized that illusions are inseparable from life.