Robert Frost is a personal favorite. His Zen portrayal of a bird at twilight hasting to return to its nest, a place of safety is endearing. This is both for its appreciation of the wondrous rhythms and flow of the natural world and the realization that we humans are that bird. We all seek the same basic things in life and shouldn't be Don Quixotes within the context of cosmic law. The point of departure and non acceptance is rightful resistance to those who would attempt to control others and nature respectively as has been done by tyrants throughout history and the arrogance and ill-fated presumption of conquering nature, especially these last few centuries.
This is a Frost poem I hadn't encountered before--at least, not that I remember. Thank you for sharing it! I may just commit it to memory, as a pleasant brain and soul exercise, as I have two other much more well-known of his. I love poetry (or, more accurately, what I consider to be "good" poetry, haha) and appreciate your inclusion of it in your posts.
Yes, there's just something so satisfying about committing a poem to memory and being able, whenever you want or feel the need, to bring it forth from within, where it's been tucked away. I often find reciting them to be a kind of self-soothing activity, even if the subject matter of the particular poem is more on the serious or grim side (like, for example, Dylan Thomas' A Refusal to Mourn the Death, by Fire, of a Child in London).
I have about 30 poems 'on tap' in my head, and go for a walk most days reciting them and learning new ones. I have no idea why, but this January I had a sudden urge to learn poetry off by heart. But I've learned to trust my intuition on these things. Sometimes in life if you manage to do things "in season", it comes easier, and only later, maybe years later, do you know why. Nelson Mandela was sustained for years in prison by knowing William Henry's "Invictus" off by heart - which he also recited to fellow prisoners.
I'm not familiar with the DT poem you mention; I'll check it out. Thank you for the tip.
You presumed correctly on The Road Not Taken. In junior high, many moons ago, I was in a choral group that performed it, and still like to sing it to myself.
I didn't know (or even envisage) that there might be a singing version of The Road Not Taken; intriguing. Also just thought of Frost's "Mending Wall', which when reading it now is interesting that it caused so much controversy back then. Then again, walls between peoples are very much a contemporary issue, in Europe, and cause heated debate (or polemic rants).
As with other poet's Robert Frost's work is too beautiful and true to be counted 'art' by the postmodernists. A shame. Plus he was a white male. Can't have that.
What would it be to be a being who cannot think in words? That poem seems to me to come as close to 'being' a bird as you can. Maybe that is the long sought difference between humans and other animals. They accept and we cannot.
And to dwell and reflect on the word acceptance. Far more to it than meets the eye,...or the brain..or the heart...because in acceptance we then notice how much resistance we have to the present moment and whatever arises..in us and around us.
What a lovely reminder. The universe is a field of intelligence as Eckhart Tolle has voiced. Eternal First Field Intelligence is everywhere. Acceptance and trust makes us a participant in this field.
Love this one; new to me, too. Always a good reminder to accept what we cannot change and, instead, work on ourselves. That was my theme this year; just take care of myself, so that I can give the best version of myself to those I love. ♥
His beautiful presence at JFK's inauguration is unforgettable and we can see the wolves all around that despised that presence. Just bought his early works at a used bookstore.
The only thing necessary for evil to triumph in the world is that good men do nothing-
So beautiful. And yet ...
I see your Frost, and raise you my Thomas:
https://poets.org/poem/do-not-go-gentle-good-night
Robert Frost is a personal favorite. His Zen portrayal of a bird at twilight hasting to return to its nest, a place of safety is endearing. This is both for its appreciation of the wondrous rhythms and flow of the natural world and the realization that we humans are that bird. We all seek the same basic things in life and shouldn't be Don Quixotes within the context of cosmic law. The point of departure and non acceptance is rightful resistance to those who would attempt to control others and nature respectively as has been done by tyrants throughout history and the arrogance and ill-fated presumption of conquering nature, especially these last few centuries.
This is a Frost poem I hadn't encountered before--at least, not that I remember. Thank you for sharing it! I may just commit it to memory, as a pleasant brain and soul exercise, as I have two other much more well-known of his. I love poetry (or, more accurately, what I consider to be "good" poetry, haha) and appreciate your inclusion of it in your posts.
The two other poems: Fire & Ice, no doubt; The Road Not Taken, presumably.
Maybe "Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening" too.
Yep! Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening is the second Frost poem I have memorized. Such a lovely work.
I like memorising poems, partly so they become part of my 'heart-system', and partly because I give the occasional poetry recital. Best regards, Josh.
Yes, there's just something so satisfying about committing a poem to memory and being able, whenever you want or feel the need, to bring it forth from within, where it's been tucked away. I often find reciting them to be a kind of self-soothing activity, even if the subject matter of the particular poem is more on the serious or grim side (like, for example, Dylan Thomas' A Refusal to Mourn the Death, by Fire, of a Child in London).
I have about 30 poems 'on tap' in my head, and go for a walk most days reciting them and learning new ones. I have no idea why, but this January I had a sudden urge to learn poetry off by heart. But I've learned to trust my intuition on these things. Sometimes in life if you manage to do things "in season", it comes easier, and only later, maybe years later, do you know why. Nelson Mandela was sustained for years in prison by knowing William Henry's "Invictus" off by heart - which he also recited to fellow prisoners.
I'm not familiar with the DT poem you mention; I'll check it out. Thank you for the tip.
You presumed correctly on The Road Not Taken. In junior high, many moons ago, I was in a choral group that performed it, and still like to sing it to myself.
I didn't know (or even envisage) that there might be a singing version of The Road Not Taken; intriguing. Also just thought of Frost's "Mending Wall', which when reading it now is interesting that it caused so much controversy back then. Then again, walls between peoples are very much a contemporary issue, in Europe, and cause heated debate (or polemic rants).
As with other poet's Robert Frost's work is too beautiful and true to be counted 'art' by the postmodernists. A shame. Plus he was a white male. Can't have that.
What would it be to be a being who cannot think in words? That poem seems to me to come as close to 'being' a bird as you can. Maybe that is the long sought difference between humans and other animals. They accept and we cannot.
And to dwell and reflect on the word acceptance. Far more to it than meets the eye,...or the brain..or the heart...because in acceptance we then notice how much resistance we have to the present moment and whatever arises..in us and around us.
I was not familiar with that particular poem of his. Thank you for bringing it and its message to remembrance
Beautiful~
Thanks, Celia. I've been a fan of Frost for a long time and never came across this gem.
It's the sesquicentennial of his birth in 2 weeks.
What a lovely reminder. The universe is a field of intelligence as Eckhart Tolle has voiced. Eternal First Field Intelligence is everywhere. Acceptance and trust makes us a participant in this field.
Love this one; new to me, too. Always a good reminder to accept what we cannot change and, instead, work on ourselves. That was my theme this year; just take care of myself, so that I can give the best version of myself to those I love. ♥
It's great that poetry also finds a home on your postings
"Where power corrupts, poetry cleanses", (JFK's "Amherst" speech, 26th Oct, 1963)
His beautiful presence at JFK's inauguration is unforgettable and we can see the wolves all around that despised that presence. Just bought his early works at a used bookstore.
I think the cadence of old poetry is a benefit to the brain in some way.... and could be why critical thinking isn't so prevalent anymore.
So timely. Thank you.