In the meantime, I have had poetry on my mind. In a recent discussion with my friend on literature, I was amused to discover that my three favorite poets were so vastly different: Dorothy Parker, Percy Shelley and Pablo Neruda.
Dorothy Parker
Dorothy Parker was a genius with words. My favorite poem by her is:
The Flaw in Paganism
Drink and dance and laugh and lie,
Love, the reeling midnight through,
For tomorrow we shall die!
(But, alas, we never do.)
Percy Shelley
My parents gave me a book of poetry by Percy Bysshe Shelley for my 15th birthday and I have been in love ever since. His words are so visceral and evocative. His lyrical poetry was, in my opinion, his finest. Here is an excerpt from my favorite poem by Shelley:
And the sunlight clasps the earth
And the moonbeams kiss the sea:
What is all this sweet work worth
If thou kiss not me?
-excerpt from Love's Philosophy
Pablo Neruda
And finally, Pablo Neruda. His poems- even translated into English- are so romantic and moving. The Captain's Verses is my favorite of his books.
In the night we shall go in
up to its trembling firmament,
and your little hands and mine
will steal the stars
-excerpt from The Stolen Branch
**sigh**
I would love to know who your favorite poets are...
7 comments:
I have heard of Neruda but have not read him. I will definitely be looking for his poems. One of my favorites is the Sufi poet Rumi. I think his verses are beautiful and give great food for thought.
BTW your parents give very thoughtful gifts (the books, and I read another entry about a cashmere sweater)!
I love a lot of poetry. Some famous poets such as Shelley and others who are lesser known. I have been enjoying reading the poems of Mary Oliver lately. I think poetry is wonderful for inspiration and for enriching your life in all aspects. I try to read a poem a day. I'm not really familiar with Dorothy Parker but she is one person I keep meaning to read more on. xx
Hi Rebecca- Neruda is wonderful... "The Captain's Verses" is a great introduction to his work. His poems written in Spanish are on the left hand side and the translation on the right.
I must delve into the world of Rumi. I have heard so much about him and can't believe I have yet to read his work.
My parents do give very thoughtful gifts... they are the best :) xo
Hi Josephine,
I am going to check out Mary Oliver... I am unfamiliar with her work. That is the best part of blogging for me... hearing what other people read and enjoy. I love being introduced to new authors!
Reading poetry every day and for inspiration is such a wonderful idea. Maybe each morning after my mindful breakfast I will do the same xo
Here's a Sanskrit verse in praise of poets.
जयन्ति ते सुकृतिनो
रससिद्धाः कवीश्वराः ।
नास्ति येषां यशः काये
जरामरणजं भयम् ॥
Those great poets who are profound masters of creative literary work attain the real victory. Their embodiment of success does not have any fear of old age or death.
Thank you Subhashita Manjari for that lovely verse in praise of poets. It is so true that the words of great poets allow their spirit to never die...
I wandered on your blog by googling "favorite poems." So I can't resist adding mine. Besides, of course, Emily Dickinson, I love Darrell Grayson (Universal Song), Dorianne Laux (How it Will Happen, When), Elizabeth Bishop (I am in Need of Music).
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