My favorite lit professor lamented the absence of what she called 'art in the street' in modern life (compared to the medieval period - at the time we were reading the mystery/miracle plays). It was the 90s, before the digital/social media landscape really formed, but I'm sure she would have only felt that lament harder today.
This post was a good reminder of her, and an encouragement. Thanks for both.
I agree! My best man did a poem at my wedding, which started a mini-tradition where I did one at the next two weddings of that and another friend of ours. They aren't only a way to bless others as you and James say here, but also can be created into a blessing in the more specific and poetical sense to the couple in the case of a wedding (may you always etc). Also personally it gets me to think about 'the thing' we are doing. Like your example of Thanksgiving. Anyway great post, I am inspired to embrace the become of a poet.
I'd say to anyone (*ahem* myself) a bit self-conscious about writing occasional poetry, hey, think of it this way: it's not really about you. We have a bit of a rubric about certain cultural observances. If "live violin player" equals "classy dinner" in the public consciousness, and you play the violin, you have the ability to elevate any meal to which you might bring your instrument. It's a gift you're able to give. Poetry's like that, I think. It's a cultural shorthand for "this is an important occasion that deserves commemoration." When writing and sharing poetry for occasions, the point won't be all the shortcomings you'll be able to see in the work. It'll be the fact that you elevated the occasion with what you know how to do.
There are many other ways poetry can (and in my opinion, should) re-enter daily life, but I'm glad you mentioned occasions here. This doesn't always occur to me, but it's probably the most direct and impactful way to apply what we do to the good.
Poetical gifts are important for preachers to cultivate. My father gave me one of his old KJV Bibles when I went to Bible school. Inside the rear cover leaf he had written something, back in the early 80's.
'If you would capture men's hearts, you must paint pictures in their minds.'
I'm my sister's maid of honor this spring, and between James' comments yesterday and this piece, I'm now tossing around the idea of writing something for her and her fiancé. (A sonnet, maybe?) Also, how neat to see ideas from last night's conversation already taking shape in writing. Glad to "meet" you "in person" then, and I really enjoyed this piece!
The other day I overheard my teenaged daughter talking to a friend on the phone. She was saying: my mom is a poet. It surprised me— in a good way.
My favorite lit professor lamented the absence of what she called 'art in the street' in modern life (compared to the medieval period - at the time we were reading the mystery/miracle plays). It was the 90s, before the digital/social media landscape really formed, but I'm sure she would have only felt that lament harder today.
This post was a good reminder of her, and an encouragement. Thanks for both.
Thanks for the lovely comment!
I agree! My best man did a poem at my wedding, which started a mini-tradition where I did one at the next two weddings of that and another friend of ours. They aren't only a way to bless others as you and James say here, but also can be created into a blessing in the more specific and poetical sense to the couple in the case of a wedding (may you always etc). Also personally it gets me to think about 'the thing' we are doing. Like your example of Thanksgiving. Anyway great post, I am inspired to embrace the become of a poet.
Thanks for the comment, and God speed your efforts!
I'd say to anyone (*ahem* myself) a bit self-conscious about writing occasional poetry, hey, think of it this way: it's not really about you. We have a bit of a rubric about certain cultural observances. If "live violin player" equals "classy dinner" in the public consciousness, and you play the violin, you have the ability to elevate any meal to which you might bring your instrument. It's a gift you're able to give. Poetry's like that, I think. It's a cultural shorthand for "this is an important occasion that deserves commemoration." When writing and sharing poetry for occasions, the point won't be all the shortcomings you'll be able to see in the work. It'll be the fact that you elevated the occasion with what you know how to do.
There are many other ways poetry can (and in my opinion, should) re-enter daily life, but I'm glad you mentioned occasions here. This doesn't always occur to me, but it's probably the most direct and impactful way to apply what we do to the good.
I am becoming certain that the poetical skills are such things as I ought to develop. No sane man would dare accuse me of being a poet... :)
I'm going to start building the case now.
Poetical gifts are important for preachers to cultivate. My father gave me one of his old KJV Bibles when I went to Bible school. Inside the rear cover leaf he had written something, back in the early 80's.
'If you would capture men's hearts, you must paint pictures in their minds.'
I'm my sister's maid of honor this spring, and between James' comments yesterday and this piece, I'm now tossing around the idea of writing something for her and her fiancé. (A sonnet, maybe?) Also, how neat to see ideas from last night's conversation already taking shape in writing. Glad to "meet" you "in person" then, and I really enjoyed this piece!
Thank you, sister. Have fun at that wedding, sonnet or no!