John Keats (poets.org)
1795 – 1821
Much have I traveled in the realms of gold
And many goodly states and kingdoms seen;
Round many western islands have I been
Which bards in fealty to Apollo hold.
Oft of one wide expanse had I been told
That deep-browed Homer ruled as his demesne;
Yet never did I breathe its pure serene
Till I heard Chapman speak out loud and bold:
Then felt I like some watcher of the skies
When a new planet swims into his ken;
Or like stout Cortez when with eagle eyes
He stared at the Pacific—and all his men
Looked at each other with a wild surmise—
Silent, upon a peak in Darien.
Copyright John Keats--All Rights Reserved.
[[This poem is in the public domain]]
My book review on Amazon
Right on time for the changing season of both hemispheres.
Let yourself get subsumed.
HAIKU FOR THE MIDNIGHT HOUR by Dawn Pisturino is elegant and warm in tone.
It is a brave compilation of poems that challenges the traditional form of Japanese
poetic art, which is short meditations on natural and philosophical themes.
It’s a great “experimental challenge,” a lovely compilation comprising dark themes
on observations that embrace the other side of literature and life: monsters, ghosts,
natural fears, supernatural forces, fearful gods and goddesses, and whatever
constitutes the Otherworld.
HAIKU FOR THE MIDNIGHT HOUR is fast-moving. It’s current and right on time for
the changing season of both hemispheres when one wants to have an unputdownable
book close at hand.
I invite you to open the door/cover to this poetry collection and enter its imaginary
portal.
Here are some of my favorites:
“mausoleum flanked
by cypress trees and willows
bent by mournful winds”
“requiem mass fills
church with flowers and mourners
a sold-out event”
“fish-faced men smelling
like cod sire children with gills
unholy inbreeds”
“cockroaches old as
t-rex scoot across the floor
hiding in shadows”
It’s a fascinating collection and I’m sure all readers will find favorites in this book too.
I highly recommend this book for your reading pleasure or gift-giving for the upcoming
holidays.
#1 on Amazon… #1 on Amazon… #1 on Amazon–This is a big deal, my friends.
THANKS SO MUCH FOR READING MY REVIEW.
I HOPE THIS REVIEW HAS PIQUED YOUR INTEREST IN THE BOOK.
This review is on amazon.co.jp right now; will show on amazon.com eventually.
You can also find it on Goodreads, with all my blessings.
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You know I don’t know if I should admit this openly or not but I have a very hard time reading poetry. I have a hard time finding the meaning. I don’t think I am explaining the trouble I have very well. I do enjoy reading poetry and try to relate.
Thanks for the honesty. Bless you.
… What I know of Keats and THAT poem is that it’s a result of how Keats felt after reading Homer
Found this for you:
https://www.litcharts.com/poetry/john-keats/on-first-looking-into-chapman-s-homer
In other words, Dawn’s book mesmerized me like Homer’s did Keats.
Thanks for reading and commenting.
I’ve seen your poetry. I know you write great poems.
Thank you for everything Selma!
You know I think that lit chart article is more of what I need. I used to use that website with my HS students but not really about poetry. It does help to have a bit of a background into the poem to have a better understanding.
Happy to be of any help. We’re here to help… bless you
Wonderful treasures packed in this post! 👏🏻 Dawn’s book is on my list – your “favorites” are fabulous. Her collection seems a most fitting selection for the approaching season. Thank you for the review!
Thank you, Michele! I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it.
It’s my pleasure. Always. Bless you for reading this review. Xoxo
My pleasure, too. You’re an angel human! 😇 xoxo
sounds like a beautiful book
Thank you so much!
Yes, a new direction for brevity of haiku.
Lovely post Selma
Thanks, Sadje 🤗
My pleasure
lovely shout out for Dawn’s book 👏👏
Yes, I feel deeply honored. Thank you. Cindy!
Yes, I feel very honored by Selma’s review. Thank you, Cindy!
Happy you read Cindy
Selma, I just read your review on Amazon.com. I feel so honored by your kind and generous words! I plan to post this on Friday, September 13th. I always have a good day on Friday the 13th, so I’m not superstitious about that date. Thank you so much – and congratulations again on becoming a grandmother! I feel so excited for you!
Friday 13th is a good day as any. Yay. At Amazon.COM already? Double yay. Wonderful. My pleasure—you know that.
Thanks. I’m looking forward to November—a baby in the house. 👏🏽
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I’ve got your review posted today on my blog! Thank you so much, Selma!