Poetry

I actually did not know that last Wednesday, April 25th was national Poetry Day! I love poetry and I love to write poetry so I was disappointed that this day got past me without my knowledge. However, as fate would have it, I had a small Brunch that morning for some friends, one of whom is blind, and I thought it would be fun to read some poetry aloud, which we did. And one of the poems I chose was the poem, "Keep a Poem in your Pocket" by Beatrice Schenk de Regiers which seemed to be the theme for the day. The poem says:

"Keep a poem in your pocket
and a picture in your head
and you'll never feel lonely
at night when you're in bed
********************
The little poem will sing to you
the little picture bring to you
a dozen dreams to dance to you
at night when you're in bed.
***********************
So-----
Keep a poem in your pocket
and a poem in your head
and you'll never feel lonely
at night when you're in bed.

I actually have three favorite poems. One is "Daffodils" (William Wordsworth) which, at one time, I could recite by heart. Another favorite, with a similar theme, is " The Lake Isle of Innisfree" (William Butler Yeats) and when I was in Ireland with my mother, sister and niece...we saw this isle from a distant shore, and my sister, Maureen, recited the entire poem from memory. It must speak to our Irish souls.Both these poems paint a space of wonder and tranquility to behold at the moment but, equally important, to take the image with you to bring joy when you are in places that are not as lovely as these.  A third poem that I love is "Ulysses" (Alfred, Lord Tennyson) especially the last 26 lines that begin, "There lies the port; the vessel puffs her sail..... In this poem, Ulysses is saying that, though his life is coming to an end, he has at least one more good sail in him, and he is going to continue on in life doing what he has always loved to do; that age will not deter from living his life to the fullest until he is gone. I like this sentiment. I too wish to live life to the fullest until I can no more, and enjoy doing the things I love to do; one of which is writing poetry. So I will add one of my most recent poems that is neither thoughty (as my Dad would say) nor profound...perhaps just one we can all relate to, and one that was fun to write.

THE CLUTTERED TABLE BY THE DOOR

Oh cluttered table by the door
Keeper of family treasures
And things that suddenly appear
Placed here upon your table top
Car keys
Overdue books
Letters to be sent
Bills to be paid
What else has been laid
Upon your table top?
 What other trinkets
Besides the dust gathering here?
Invitations
Salutations
A letter from a friend (rare)
Rubber bands
Ball point pens
Assorted change
Ah, such a range
Of meaningless clutter
Oh brother!
Just so much stuff
To put away
To get ready for another day....
When other things
Find their way to your table top.

A Dreary Sunday Turn-Around

I don't do well on overcast, dreary days. I always thought that I was immune to such "nonsense" that lack of sun can affect your mood or disposition. I always thought that I was "bigger" than that; who gives in to such a thing??? Not me. Well, then again, yes me. Today was just such a day in central Illinois. And, yes, I did read about the snow storm covering the east coast, but never mind that; I am here under a windy, blustery, cold, overcast rainy day, and right after lunch, and up until 2:30, I was under the covers hoping the day would just go away. But then, I had one ace in my pocket, if I could motivate and muster the energy to get up and out the door to attend an afternoon concert on the campus of Illinois Westley University which was titled, "Love Songs Over All the Earth...Unifying Humanity through Music, Poetry and Art. Well, I got myself there and oh, the joy of it all!
The program talked about the extraordinary powers of music to calm;to shape emotions; to perswade our minds and hearts to beauty's end. When we add the universal and supremely powerful emotions of Love to the extraordinary persuasive power of Music, we have a potent mix to which virtually everyone can respond.
Songs of love were played by the most wonderful violinist I have ever heard, with piano accompaniment, while different masterpieces by famous artists were featured from overhead projector. Along with this, there was a vocalist and poetry readings, all with the theme of love.  Love drew me in; the music soothed my soul and the day turned out well.