Christopher reminded me that poetry transcends generational and cultural differences by speaking to the human condition. Emotional insight, radical thoughts and shared joy or sorrow come from a few words that have been purposely brought together by a poet’s thoughts. Last week, I was at my favourite haunt – Indigos – checking out the $2.00 “last book” clearance shelves. There are treasures to be found! And I did find a jewel: Catching Life by The Throat! W.H. Auden, often referenced in Hitch22, is one of the eight poets discussed in the book. Here is an excerpt the chapter: W.H. Auden – Truth Out of Time:
“One Sunday afternoon in March 1922, a school friend casually asked me if I wrote poetry. I, who had never written a line or even read one with pleasure, decided at that moment that poetry was my vocation.” Just like that. And therein lies the mystery of Auden.
I think that we would take greater care in our choice of words, if we only recognized that they have the power to do good. So many times I have been either flippant or frivolous. So let’s go for all those apples of gold in pictures of silver!!!
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It is interesting how a simple question or comment can influence a life–for good or bad, I suppose. “A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.” Pro.25:11
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