Hi Heather and Friends, yesterday morning I read a poem aloud: John Keats'
"When I have fears that I may cease to be"; took 50 seconds, so less than two
Covid-proof handwashings; an "early sonnet" from 1818, when Keats was 22,
unlike the late sonnets when he was 24 or 25! Now, a day later I've had 24
hours of phrases like "cease to be" "glean'd my teeming brain" "the night's
starr'd face" and "huge cloudy symbols" running though my head, carried with
me, and muttered under my breath. Also the extraordinary finish: "...then on
the shore/Of the wide world I stand alone, and think,/Till Love and Fame to
nothingness do sink." Poetry keeps on helping with clarity of mind, breath,
thought and expression. Cheers, David 🙂
________________________________
From: poetpests-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx <poetpests-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> on behalf
of Heather Taylor Johnson <kingstreet1@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Wednesday, 20 May 2020 10:55 AM
To: poetpests@xxxxxxxxxxxxx <poetpests@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: [poetpests] question for you (us)
Hello friends. I’ve been asked to say a few words (5 minutes, so more than a
few) to the Medical Humanities group at UWA about why writing poetry is
particularly helpful right now, during COVID. She asked why I and my friends
are leaning into it. I’m hoping you might all send me a little something about
how it’s working – or not working – for you?
xHeather
