Surprised by Joy

Some cautionary words from Wordsworth, who would've been 236 years old today:

THE WORLD IS TOO MUCH WITH US
—William Wordsworth

The world is too much with us; late and soon,
Getting and spending, we lay waste our powers:
Little we see in nature that is ours;
We have given our hearts away, a sordid boon!
The Sea that bares her bosom to the moon;
The Winds that will be howling at all hours,
And are up-gathered now like sleeping flowers;
For this, for everything, we are out of tune;
It moves us not.—Great God! I'd rather be
A Pagan suckled in a creed outworn;
So might I, standing on this pleasant lea,
Have glimpses that would make me less forlorn;
Have sight of Proteus coming from the sea;
Or hear old Triton blow his wreathed horn.

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Tonight (4/7), hie thee over to Davis, where The Other Voice presents acclaimed poets (and rattlechappers) Susan Kelly-DeWitt (The Land) and Allegra Jostad Silberstein (In The Folds) at 7:30 in the library of the Unitarian Church at 27074 Patwin Road in Davis. Open mic follows, so bring along a poem to share. Info: 530-753-2634 or 530-753-1432.

Poets & Writers' Focus on California e-zine reminds us about their Directory of American Poets and Writers, which includes contact information for over 6,400 poets, fiction writers, creative nonfiction writers, and spoken word artists. The Directory is used by writers, agents, editors, and reading series coordinators. If you qualify for listing, you can apply, free-of-charge, on their Web site, http://www.pw.org. The application is easy to complete and should take no more than five minutes of your time. They would like you to help them spread the word about the Directory by letting other writers know about it.

And learn about National Poetry Month (NPM) from the organization that started it all. The Academy of American Poets Website, http://www.poets.org/page.php/prmID/41, offers 30 Ways to Celebrate, plus tip sheets for teachers, librarians, and booksellers who want to make the most of this poetically charged time. For more NPM information, be sure to visit the Poets and Writers Website for the online-only feature, "The Busy Poets Guide to National Poetry Month" at http://www.pw.org/mag/is_npm2006.htm.

_______________________

TO CATHERINE WORDSWORTH 1808-1812
—William Wordsworth

Surprised by joy—impatient as the Wind
I turned to share the transport—Oh! with whom
But Thee, deep buried in the silent tomb,
That spot which no vicissitude can find?
Love, faithful love, recalled thee to my mind—
But how could I forget thee? Through what power,
Even for the least division of an hour,
Have I been so beguiled as to be blind,
To my most grievous loss!—That thought's return
Was the worst pang that sorrow ever bore,
Save one, one only, when I stood forlorn.,
Knowing my heart's best treasure was no more;
That niether present time, nor years unborn
Could to my sight that heavenly face restore.

_______________________

—Medusa

Medusa encourages poets of all ilk and ages to send their poetry and announcements of Northern California poetry events to kathykieth@hotmail.com for posting on this daily Snake blog. Rights remain with the poets. Previously-published poems are okay for Medusa’s Kitchen, as long as you own the rights. (Please cite publication.)