I cannot say decisively that I love poetry more than prose since there are both fantastic poems and exciting novels and short stories that have made a profound effect on my development. Still, there is something unique about poetic lines: they can reflect a lengthy idea within only a few words. Poetry is more expressive and impressive than prose, as well as more romantic and musical.
Inspiration Piece
“A Psalm of Life” by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
Tell me not, in mournful numbers,
Life is but an empty dream!
For the soul is dead that slumbers,
And things are not what they seem.
Life is real! Life is earnest!
And the grave is not its goal;
Dust thou art, to dust returnest,
Was not spoken of the soul.
Not enjoyment, and not sorrow,
Is our destined end or way;
But to act, that each to-morrow
Find us farther than to-day.
Art is long, and Time is fleeting,
And our hearts, though stout and brave,
Still, like muffled drums, are beating
Funeral marches to the grave.
In the world’s broad field of battle,
In the bivouac of Life,
Be not like dumb, driven cattle!
Be a hero in the strife!
Trust no Future, howe’er pleasant!
Let the dead Past bury its dead!
Act,— act in the living Present!
Heart within, and God o’erhead!
Lives of great men all remind us
We can make our lives sublime,
And, departing, leave behind us
Footprints on the sands of time;
Footprints, that perhaps another,
Sailing o’er life’s solemn main,
A forlorn and shipwrecked brother,
Seeing, shall take heart again.
Let us, then, be up and doing,
With a heart for any fate;
Still achieving, still pursuing,
Learn to labor and to wait.Longfellow
Longfellow, a famous American educator and poet, wrote “A Psalm of Life” in the USA in the 1830s. Longfellow’s works were praised for their positive effect on people’s minds. The poet’s works were considered to be virtuous, humble, and international (Blake, 2015). In 1884, Longfellow’s bust was unveiled in the Poet’s Corner, Westminster Abbey (Blake, 2015). He became the first foreign author honored in the Abbey. Longfellow’s popularity both in the USA and abroad is explained by the simple yet sophisticated ideas and brisk yet comprehensive lines. “A Psalm of Life” is a rather inspiring piece since it invokes people’s optimism and teaches them not to let any troubles interfere with their happiness. The poet reminds the audience that the purpose of life is not death but the feelings of satisfaction and joy.
My Art Piece
An Ode to Life
May the drops of rain in summer
Feel your heart with joyful keys
So instead of thinking “a bummer,”
You will see how great life is.
Please, remember what a present
Each new morning is for you.
Do not make the assets lessened;
View each moment as a cue.
Hints are everywhere, darling:
You can sulk, or you can smile.
Watch the swallow, watch the starling,
Watch the wildlife for a while.
You will see that every trouble
Can eventually be fixed solved
Grief will vanish, joy will double
When the sorrow’s disinvolved.
My poem is concerned with the themes of happiness and the need to avoid sadness by all means. Something beautiful and positive can be found almost in any situation. I am convinced that people frequently forget how blessed they are and feel miserable in situations when they should feel appreciative. Hence, the poem reflects my general opinion on life, which is that everyone should be grateful for what they have.
Connection
Both poems have the same ABAB structure and a similar meter. Such a medium allows poets to make ideas short and catchy. The main connection between the two pieces is in their optimistic nature and a positive disposition toward life. The themes of the poems are concerned with the need to feel grateful and happy rather than spoil one’s days with gloomy and pessimistic thoughts.
Reference
Blake, D. H. (2015). Among the English worthies: Longfellow and the campaign for Poets’ Corner. Critical Survey, 27(3). Web.
Longfellow, H. W. (n.d.). A psalm of life. Web.