Yesterday, March 21, was World Poetry Day, an event sponsored by theUnited Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), with the aim of recognizing “the unique ability of poetry to capture the creative spirit of the human mind.” According to Irina Bokova, Director-General of UNESCO, “By giving form and words to that which has none – such as the unfathomable beauty that surrounds us, the immense suffering and misery of the world – poetry contributes to the expansion of our common humanity, helping to increase its strength, solidarity and self-awareness.”
We here at the Free For All are big fans of poetry, and helping patrons everywhere to overcome their metrophobia and embrace all the beauty and wonder that poetry both captures and inspires. So, in honor of our growing love of poetry, and also, because we missed the Official World Poetry Day (Arthur Dent couldn’t get the hang of Thursdays…I’ve never been able to get the hang of Mondays), we still wanted to take a moment to share some bookish poetry with you today, and encourage you, as ever, to broaden your reading horizons with a little bit of verse today.
As our dear friends at Reading Rainbow have pointed out, poetry is not only a “high art” form that is accessible to a select few–it very often is our first introduction to language. Sing the ABC’s. Hum “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star”. You’ll see what I mean. We’ve also pointed out that reading poetry can help with stress by regulating your heart and your breathing, so it’s a delightful way to unwind no matter where you are.
So here are a few poems to make your day a little brighter, and, hopefully, a little easier. Enjoy!
Notes on the Art of Poetry
by Dylan Thomas
in the world between the covers of books,
such sandstorms and ice blasts of words,,,
such staggering peace, such enormous laughter,
such and so many blinding bright lights,, ,
splashing all over the pages
in a million bits and pieces
all of which were words, words, words,
and each of which were alive forever
in its own delight and glory and oddity and light.
(From The Poems of Dylan Thomas, New Directions, 2003)
There is no Frigate like a Book (1286)
By Emily Dickinson
There is no Frigate like a Book
To take us Lands away
Nor any Coursers like a Page
Of prancing Poetry.
This Traverse may the poorest take
Without oppress of Toll;
How frugal is the Chariot
That bears the Human Soul!
Where My Books Go
By William Butler Yeats
All the words that I utter,
And all the words that I write,
Must spread out their wings untiring,
And never rest in their flight,
Till they come where your sad, sad heart is,
And sing to you in the night,
Beyond where the waters are moving,
Storm-darken’d or starry bright.
(From the Oxford Book of English Verse, 1919)