Vol.3 (03) - What Makes the Poet?

What Makes the Poet?

Ferrick Gray

The Yellowed Page
Volume 3, Issue 3 (February 28)

About the Title

⠀ When first deciding on the title for this expository piece, I wondered which would be more appropriate: the definite article or the indefinite article. Did I want to discuss what makes the poet, or what makes a poet?

⠀ No doubt, some readers would be wondering what difference it makes. I could have used either, but one is far more significant. This choice may seem trivial at first, but using the wrong word can prove detrimental. 

⠀ A poet and the poet could mean the same poet, but the implication of the first is that it could refer to any poet (person) who calls themselves a poet. This is a general description of someone who ventures into the realm of writing poetry, or at least what they call poetry. Naturally, what we call poetry is subject to personal opinion. 

Shakespeare's Sonnet XVII

William Shakespeare's Sonnet XVII

Ferrick Gray
Poetry Showcase
February 27
⠀⠀⠀Who will believe my verse in time to come,
⠀⠀⠀If it were filled with your most high deserts?
⠀⠀⠀Though yet heaven knows it is but as a tomb
⠀⠀⠀Which hides your life, and shows not half your parts.
⠀⠀⠀If I could write the beauty of your eyes,
⠀⠀⠀And in fresh numbers number all your graces,
⠀⠀⠀The age to come would say 'This poet lies;
⠀⠀⠀Such heavenly touches ne'er touched earthly faces.'
⠀⠀⠀So should my papers, yellowed with their age,
⠀⠀⠀Be scorned, like old men of less truth than tongue,
⠀⠀⠀And your true rights be termed a poet's rage
⠀⠀⠀And stretched metre of an antique song:
⠀⠀⠀⠀ But were some child of yours alive that time,
⠀⠀⠀⠀ You should live twice, in it, and in my rime.

A Breath of Wind

Kimberley Leighton

Poetry Showcase

February 18

She shimmered turquoise against blue of sky,
Her wings ethereal, joys dust from his star;
Slowly she slips from the hand of love’s lie.

Stillness surrounds, she is unable to fly
Where once she knew heavens kiss from afar;
She shimmered turquoise against blue of sky.

She gave her heart amidst a soulful sigh
With his promise to hold safely each scar,
Slowly she slips from the hand of love’s lie.

The breathless passion of her love leapt high,
Lost in his lyrics and strings of guitar —
She shimmered turquoise against blue of sky.

The inflections of his murmurs felt shy,
The heat of his need left her heart to char —
Slowly she slips from the hand of love’s lie.

Now his silence only sings of goodbye
Like fireflies lit and left in a jar —
She shimmered turquoise against blue of sky,
Slowly she slips from the hand of love’s lie.

Kimberley Leighton

Vol.2 (01) - Dante's "Vita Nuova"

Dante's "Vita Nuova"

Possibly the greatest love poem ever written.

Snippets
Volume 2, Issue 1 (February 14)

The Dual-Language Edition of Dante's Vita Nuova, translated by Anthony Mortimer.

ALMA CLASSICS
ISBN: 978-1-84749-695-9

Prefatory Remarks

⠀ Vita Nuova is a very different work than we may expect from Dante Alighieri, the author of La Commedia. While many consider this work a poem, it is an unusual combination of prose and poetry known as a prosimetrum. The prose sections are written in a manner that suggests Dante does not want to be misinterpreted. In other words, he wants the reader to understand his poems as he meant them, in the same way. As a result, Dante can be a little repetitive in his explanations.

Vol.3 (02) - Metrical Consistency

Metrical Consistency

Is it possible, or even desirable?

Ferrick Gray

The Yellowed Page

Volume 3, Issue 2 (February 7)

Prefatory Remarks

⠀ When a poet, young or old, first begins to write formal verse, every effort is made to satisfy the metrical constraints of the form. There is nothing wrong with this pursuit, and simplification of the process can often help the beginning poet on their journey.

⠀ After the basics have been practiced, not necessarily perfected, the poet must investigate sounds and words, accent or stress, on each syllable, and how they can be combined to produce the same or similar rhythm. Note here, the use of the word rhythm, not meter.

⠀ After some initial success, the poet may unknowingly begin to concentrate on the wrong aspect of writing formal verse. Meter may seem to be the most obvious aspect to concentrate on, but as we shall see, it can be detrimental to both poem and poet.

The Damask'd Rose Would Blush

Ferrick Gray

Poetry Showcase

February 6

Across thy nose, a spray of freckles found.
Why would the Maker tarnish such a sight
As yours? You think to hide and pan the ground,
And only raise your eyes within the night.
The slightest imperfection, some may say,
Makes beauty run and hide, to shed a tear,
But I desire them all, to shun? O’ nay!
To cherish them, not see, as they appear.
No cheek is fairer lo! These lips of mine,
To press upon soft skin, to feel the rush
Of coursing blood, each aching pulse divine;
Beseech thy kiss! The damask’d rose would blush.
⠀ Perfection for the one who sees with eyes,
⠀ Will blinded be, for love wears no disguise.