This is what I believe:
That I am I.
That my soul is a dark forest.
That my known self will never be more than a little clearing in that forest.
That gods, strange gods, come forth from the forest into the clearing of my known self, then go back.
That I must have the courage to let them come and go.
That I must never let mankind put anything over me,
but that I will always try to recognize and submit
to the gods in me and the gods in other men and women.
There is my creed.
– DH Lawrence
I love getting these bits of poetry from your blog. Do you have any recommendations for poetry anthologies/collections that are good for a budding collection? I’m still a (flailing) newbie, seriously regretting not squeaking in at least one course in college amongst all the science back then. I’ve got a few Mary Oliver, Jane Kenyon and Wendell Berry and a few of the major standards already, but I’m looking for books that feature a broader slice of poets that I’m sure I’ve not even yet discovered. Any suggestions? Thanks!
So long as we all keep believing.
Love.
Happy days to you through the weekend, kindred spirit.
I’m with Kristen. I really appreciate it when you share these these poems that have touched you in some way.
Hmmm. Garrison Keillor has actually curated a few editions (“Good Poems,” “Good Poems for Hard Times,” and there may be more) that I like. There’s also Best American Poetry each year. Caroline Kennedy actually has a book of poetry (maybe called She Walks in Beauty?) that happens to have some of my favorites. I’ll keep thinking, too. xoxo
Thank you for sharing this list — I really do appreciate it. After commenting here, I actually found a book in my nightstand that I forgot that I had, and which supplied the readings for our wedding exactly eleven years ago: Poems That Touch the Heart. I’m hoping to revisit that and dig into the new ones you’ve suggested over the coming chilly months. Thanks!