The poet alerts us to small, mundane details from everyday life that we would otherwise most likely overlook or take for granted. Once we regain our focus, it just may turn out that "all’s right with the world". Or is it?
Essay: “The Poet” by William Maccall
In this essay, originally published in 1843, the author expounds on the role of poets in the development of a civilized, cultured society. Unavoidably, he has a lot to say on the subject of poetry itself: its origins, character, and purpose. Written almost two centuries ago, Maccall’s view of poets and poetry remains relevant, inspiring, and thought-provoking.
‘The Way through the Woods’ by Rudyard Kipling
Not long ago, on one of my nature walks I visited a small lake near the town of Barajevo, Serbia. Once I got back home, I searched my library for a poem that would go well with my mental images of the place. And here it is - the subject of this blog post - Rudyard Kipling’s ‘The Way through the Woods’.
‘The February Hush’ by Thomas Wentworth Higginson
Reading this poem, you immediately find yourself in a wintery nature setting. What T. W. Higginson describes is just a fleeting moment: a wonderful snapshot captured in words.