Henry David Thoreau as an American Philosopher on Poetry

Henry David Thoreau as an American Philosopher on Poetry

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“As naturally as an oak bears an acorn, and the vine a gourd, the man bears a poem, spoken or done.”

~ Henry David Thoreau

 

“A Thought went up my mind to-day” ~ Emily Dickinson

Done?  Henry David makes distinction in

Between two types of poems, not just one

From inspiration of the gods or jinn,

Yes, those set down in lines or otherdone,

Perhaps in mind alone or made with tools

Like brush or chisel in another form

Than words, produced as flying jewels

Like “Bird in Space” (Brâncuși), the notes in storm

On opera stage, a Shaker piece in wood,

Or felt in heart, unspoken, utter though,

High utterness unuttered, understood

By God alone, perfection found, just so.

  His point is that pure poetry comes out

    Of elsewhere with one man its fountain spout.

~ Phillip Whidden

by phillipw | Aug 25, 2024 | Uncategorized | 0 comments