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45th Virtual Poetry Circle

May 15, 2010 by

Welcome to the 45th Virtual Poetry Circle.  The poetry doesn’t stop here on the blog just because National Poetry Month ends.

Don’t forget to vote for your favorite National Poetry Month Blog Tour post; today’s the last day for voting.

Remember, this is just for fun and is not meant to be stressful.

Keep in mind what Molly Peacock’s books suggested. Look at a line, a stanza, sentences, and images; describe what you like or don’t like; and offer an opinion. If you missed my review of her book, check it out here.

Our return to classic poetry brings us to the verses of George Herbert:

The Collar 
I struck the board, and cry'd, No more.
                 I will abroad.
     What? shall I ever sigh and pine?
My lines and life are free; free as the rode,
     Loose as the winde, as large as store.
        Shall I be still in suit?
     Have I no harvest but a thorn
     To let me bloud, and not restore
     What I have lost with cordiall fruit?
                  Sure there was wine
Before my sighs did drie it: there was corn
        Before my tears did drown it.
     Is the yeare onely lost to me?
        Have I no bayes to crown it?
No flowers, no garlands gay? all blasted?
                  All wasted?
     Not so, my heart: but there is fruit,
                  And thou hast hands.
     Recover all thy sigh-blown age
On double pleasures: leave thy cold dispute
Of what is fit and not. Forsake thy cage,
                  Thy rope of sands,
Which pettie thoughts have made, and made to thee
     Good cable, to enforce and draw,
                  And be thy law,
     While thou didst wink and wouldst not see.
                  Away; take heed:
                  I will abroad.
Call in thy deaths head there: tie up thy fears.
                  He that forbears
        To suit and serve his need,
                  Deserves his load.
But as I rav'd and grew more fierce and wilde
                  At every word,
Me thoughts I heard one calling, Child!
                  And I reply'd, My Lord.

Let me know your thoughts, ideas, feelings, impressions. Let’s have a great discussion…pick a line, pick an image, pick a sentence.

I’ve you missed the other Virtual Poetry Circles, check them out here. It’s never too late to join the discussion.

Filed Under: virtual poetry circle

Comments

  1. Jeanne says
    May 17, 2010 at 2:32 pm

    The first time I read this poem, I was so amazed that someone could feel such passion for religion. Each time I’ve read it since, I feel an echo of that. “Still in suit” is such an odd image, and yet we all know what it feels like. To feel that immediacy about God…it makes me full of wonder.
    .-= Jeanne´s last blog ..The Girl Made of Cool =-.

  2. Anna says
    May 15, 2010 at 8:21 am

    With a title “The Collar” and his calling from the Lord, was this guy a priest? Other than that, I have no clue.
    .-= Anna´s last blog ..Giveaway: On Folly Beach by Karen White =-.