What is our innocence, what is our guilt? All are naked, none is safe. And whence is courage: the unanswered question, the resolute doubt— dumbly calling, deafly listening—that in misfortune, even death, encourages others and in its defeat, stirs the soul to be strong? He sees deep and is glad, who accedes to mortality and in his imprisonment, rises upon himself as the sea in a chasm, struggling to be free and unable to be, in its surrendering finds its continuing. So he who strongly feels, behaves. The very bird, grown taller as he sings, steels his form straight up. Though he is captive, his mighty singing says, satisfaction is a lowly thing, how pure a thing is joy. This is mortality, this is eternity.
Poem recommended by:
Tyler
Why I chose this poem:
Marianne Moore was a pioneering poet goddess queen. "What Are Years" is probably her most accessible and famous poem. It's one of my favorites because its message, at least as I interpret it, is about finding happiness through the acceptance of one's circumstances and inevitable earthly end. That idea has given me comfort in trying times, and I can't think of higher praise than that. Happy National Poetry Month. Now get out there and read and write some poems!
Poem source:
http://www.amerlit.com/poems/POEMS%20Moore,%20Marianne%20What%20Are%20Ye...(1941)%20analysis%20by%202%20critics.pdf
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