A Sigh for The Road Not Taken

I couldn't let April pass without recognizing National Poetry Month and how better to do that than with my favorite poem by one of my favorite poets.

Robert Frost was an American poet for the ordinary American.  His poetry has a deceptive simplicity that makes it remarkably accessible to all. 

Frost's verse has always inspired something within me, which brings us to The Road Not Taken.  I believe this poem became a favorite the moment I first read it, but the fact it changes in meaning with every passing year is easily what charms me the most. As I mature and evolve, so does the complexity of each stanza and not only do I begin to see new things down that grassy path, but I begin to discern more things about that lone traveler and the time spent at that crossroad.

I love losing myself in the words of this poem.  On a sunny day with a warm breeze, I read and re-read the words of this poem, then close my eyes and imagine... I don't know about you, but I call that pretty perfect poetry. 

Love and Poetry, simply put...

Think Poetry on Valentine's Day and any number of great poets will come to mind: Byron, Browning, Dickinson, Rumi, Plath, Neruda, Shakespeare...

What poet hasn't written about love and the kaleidoscopic journey you begin the moment it claims you.  What other sentiment can arrive at your door on the brightest of days and yet at the same time carry with it the darkest of shadows? 

I've chosen a simple poem today by one of my favorite authors, Margaret Atwood.  I love her symbolism of love and marriage and the recognition that love is a journey. 

Happy Valentine's Day. 

Habitation

Margaret Atwood

Marriage is  not

a house or even a tent

it is before that, and colder:

the edge of the forest
the edge of the desert
the unpainted stairs
at the back where we squat
outside, eating popcorn

the edge of the receding glacier

where painfully and with wonder

at having survived even
this far

we are learning to make fire

My Beloved Relics - The Encyclopedia Americana

The Internet has everything these days, doesn't it?  Back when I was a kid, back before the Internet had even been imagined, if we wanted to look something up, we went to the dictionary, a thesaurus, or if we needed the big guns, we headed off to a set of Encyclopedia. 

I always felt fortunate because my parents bought a set of encyclopedia for us.  Yes, perhaps I was a bit odd, feeling fortunate about having a set of encyclopedia in the house, but I found them fascinating.  Ours was the Encyclopedia Americana, complete with a Yearbook that came each year.  Yes, they were great for study time and writing book reports, but just as people today will surf the Internet and follow threads and topics, I would pull out a volume at random and just read.  I loved to travel through each volume just to find out where it would take me.

Of course I know the Internet is faster & easier, and yes, it takes up much less room, but oh my, how I miss the smell and feel of those heavy volumes.  I miss pouring through the printed words on the page as I lay on the carpeted basement floor on my stomach with my feet up in the air and the encyclopedia du jour in front of me.  My mom always used to say, if she sent me downstairs for something and there was a book between me and my mission, there was a good chance I wouldn't make it back.  Those encyclopedia would catch me nearly every time. 

My folks got rid of those encyclopedia last year.  I was sad to hear about it, but I live too far away to take them, and I can't expect them to keep something in their house forever just to satisfy a pleasant memory when I visit.  Perhaps I can find a used set near me that isn't too beat.  I don't really have the room either, but it sure is tempting.