We need to read more poetry. The collections of words and rhythms that we call poems force us to appreciate beauty, to stop and think. Here’s what the current U.S. poet laureate, Tracy K. Smith, says on the matter:
Poetry surprises and deepens our sense of the ordinary. Poetry tells us that the world is full of wonder, revelation, consolation, and meaning.
I agree! Today, April 26, 2018, is Poem in Your Pocket Day, and I’ve got a short poem to deepen your sense of the ordinary. Please read it, enjoy it, ponder its meaning, and pass it along to someone else.
The Balloon of the Mind by W.B. Yeats
Hands, do what you’re bid:
Bring the balloon of the mind
That bellies and drags in the wind
Into its narrow shed.
Poem in Your Pocket Day is part of the National Poetry Month activities sponsored by The American Academy of Poets. Every April, The Academy encourages parents, teachers, and librarians to engage in poetic pursuits. You can find more poems, including a downloadable PDF of short poems, at poets.org. Leave a few poems around your home or work place, put them in notes in your kids’ lunchboxes, or write them in chalk on the sidewalk. Whatever it takes to bring more poetry into the world!
I chose “Balloon of the Mind” because it is short and captures how I often feel, that my mind is a wondering thing that I must learn to contain. What do you think of the poem?
Thanks for getting nerdy with me!
Last week was the hell week of After-Prom prep, so I did not ready anything online…I’m sorry I missed this day! You always make me appreciate poetry, even though it’s a genre I struggle to add to my reading repertoire. Unless it’s a limerick;)
No worries, Dana. I was in a similar hell week, moving on to Graduation preparations, so there is no rest in sight. Thanks for taking the time to stop by when you can. I’m glad I’m getting at least a little poetry in your life. 😉
I agree – we need more poetry. Our little elementary/middle school does poetry so well, I think. Every child in the school (K-8) has to memorize a poem and then two students from each class are selected to recite it at Poetry Night, a dressy affair, recited on the stage in front a large auditorium. It’s one of the few nights that prizes are awarded – 1st, 2nd, and alternate medal. I love it. Kids have GREAT capacity to memorize looooong poems that always astound me. My 11-year-old recited “The Highway Man.” Very dramatic. Love it 🙂
That sounds WONDERFUL! I love hearing stories like this- gives me hope. 😉