Books / Reading

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Notes on the Art of Poetry

By Dylan Thomas

 

I could never have dreamt that there were such goings-on
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.

 

 

Another one :

 

There is no Frigate like a Book

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 –

 

Those who write are generally avid readers. They all have experiences of travelling the world between the covers of books. How did you experience this journey?

 You might wish to write about a library or a librarian, or parents or  whoever has helped make this journey possible.

 Francis Bacon wrote, “Some books are to be tasted, others to be swallowed, and some few to be chewed and digested…” Have you come across such books which you read in parts or read without much curiosity? Or have you read all books wholly with diligence and attention, as Bacon puts it?

 Have your attitudes and experiences of book reading been changed from earlier on? Is there a favorite book of yours that you still go to from your childhood?

 Philip Larkin ends his poem A Study of ReadingHabits by saying, “Books are a load of crap.” Ouch!

Please link one poem that is your response to the material of this prompt. When you link your poem please visit other links in the spirit of the community