Often to understand poetry, it helps to compare two poems of a similar subject. On this episode I will be comparing a new poet to an old one.
The new: Jeremiah Cobra is a writer and poet living in Souther California. He recently published his first book of short stories and poems in a compilation, "Beauty and Perspective."
(You can purchase Jeremiah's book on amazon)
I'll be reading and discussing his poem A Flower's Bloom.
The old: William Blake (1757-1827). Blake is one of the great Romantic poets of the 18th and 19th century. Considered a visionary in his own time, his series Songs of Innocence and Songs of Experience commonly portray a deceptively simplistic scene, but hide a beautifully dark vision of the world.
(You can purchase The Complete Poems of William Blake, Penguin Classics on Amazon)
I'll be reading and discussing his poem The Blossom.
A Flower's Bloom
Jeremiah Cobra
My heart leapt in my chest
When my eyes met this flower,
Its leaves glistening
From an afternoon shower.
I thought I should be
Forevermore inspired
To behold its bloom—
A most radiant fire.
I acquired it at once,
And I so adored
That her beauty augmented
My chamber decor
My soul was uplifted,
and each day, it's restored
And thus, here's a promise
I shall never ignore:
Ma amour, if by chance
I find you neglected
Or left there to suffer
From my own transgressions
If I find you wilted,
Alone and distressed,
If your petals sulk,
Or your roots are affected,
I'll offer these letters,
As water to nourish
The roots and the flowers
I so dearly cherish
With hope that in time,
You will once again flourish,
And our souls together,
Uplifted. Refurbished.
The Blossom
by William Blake
Merry Merry Sparrow
Under leaves so green
A happy Blossom
Sees you swift as arrow
Seek your cradle narrow
Near my Bosom
Pretty Pretty Robin
Under leaves so green
A happy Blossom
Hears you sobbing sobbing
Pretty Pretty Robin
Near my Bosom