Today is World Poetry Day, a time to celebrate and recognize the deep and profound influence poetry has on the human spirit. Poetry captures the heart with words that give light to our innermost thoughts and longings. It is a measure of who we are as individuals as well as a society. And best of all, we are all, in one way or another, poets. As Plato once wrote: “Every heart sings a song, incomplete, until another heart whispers back. Those who wish to sing always find a song. At the touch of a lover, everyone becomes a poet.”
Poetry comes from an oral tradition which brings together other creative endeavours such as music and dance. For me, listening to poetry is the ultimate experience. Perhaps this preference comes from the encouragement of my mother who introduced me to poetry when I was a young child. My first recitation was “The Swing” by Robert Louis Stevenson. To this day, I remember every word, every nuance, every lilt.
Happy Poetry Day 2016. May the celebration continue all year long.
On The Road Book Club 
Poetry is not only beautiful, but as an art form it is the most expressive, in my opinion. Your father loved poetry and wrote two that I know of. I wish so much that I had kept copies. What was wrong with me? I believe he wrote one when Aaron was born and another about Beauty. He may have written more. What a pity that I didn’t keep them. Thank you for following in your father’s footsteps and his love of poetry–he would be proud and happy.
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I have good news! Somewhere in my papers and files, I have the “Beauty” poem. I am enjoying going through Dad’s papers and reading his thoughts. Oh, we must all be writers, for it is a way to reconnect with those who follow.
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I memorized The Swing as a child too! What a wonderful post Rebecca and the photo is perfect!
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Thank you Cindy! What a wonderful introduction to poetry. It was only much later did I recognize it was from the same pen as the one that gave us Treasure Island and Kidnapped! Hugs!!!
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