Soothe and Embolden the Soul

   In the gorgeous cinematic film Bright Star, there is a scene where the poet John Keats and Fanny Brawne discuss poetry and how to understand it. The imagery is captivating. Fanny Brawne: I still don’t know how to work out a poem. John Keats: A poem needs understanding through the senses. The point of diving in a lake is not immediately to swim to the shore; it’s to be in the lake, to luxuriate in the sensation of water. You do not work the lake out. It is an experience beyond thought. Poetry soothes and emboldens the soul to accept mystery. I love his description of encountering a poem. He encourages the reader to take time and gently listen to the poem. Experience the words within the rhythm. Enjoy contentment within the experience. Comprehension can come in time. Eventually there does come a time with a poem when the understanding of its construction will deepen and broaden the reader’s enjoyment. Not every poem requires the effort, yet many poems, like Shakespeare’s sonnets that have layers of meaning, are enhanced with a little knowledge. Consider it this way: Luxuriating in a lake is more enjoyable when you know how to swim and have no fear of drowning. So, here is the question. How do we â€Å"riddle† out a poem to understand its structure and context? For that I highly recommend the Grammar of Poetry as an excellent curriculum to guide you through the process. The complete package comes with a Teacher’s Manual, Student Book, and (best of all) in-depth DVDs that teach the building blocks of poetry. Structured as nine modules with a final exam, the course uses the classical methodology of imitation to teach students about a broad range of poetic elements, including ten tropes, rhyme, meter, poetic vocabulary, and more. Upon completing the course, students will have a thorough understanding of the grammar of poetry. This understanding will help them to better appreciate the fullness of poetry, from the simple to the sublime. Instead of simply standing in the lake, they will be swimming confidently in its waters. Taking the time to listen, read, and memorize poetry has made it to my to-do list as the busy season of summer and work begins to build. During this hectic time, I find a sophisticated poem soothing to me. Keats’ words ring true. Poetry really does â€Å"soothe and embolden the soul to accept mystery.† Whishaw, Ben, actor. Cornish, Abbie, actor. Bright Star. Apparition, 2009.    Lucy Shopen  is the youngest of seven. She homeschooled for many years and went on to receive her BFA in Dance from the University of Kansas. Since then she has worked in Kansas, traveled Europe and Great Britain, and been a small chicken farmer, au pair, dance teacher, and missionary. She has now happily landed in Oklahoma and is excited to work with the IEW Customer Service team. Log in or register to post commentsLucy Shopens blog Log in or register to post comments