There is a moment when you read or hear a poem for the first time that it touches you at a deep level. It is something so pure and so touching that you feel that the poet spoke words directly from your heart and curbs all your hurts and fears. I remember when I read my favorite poem. It was my junior year in high school in English Honors. Our professor was asking us to develop an author study on a list she had chosen. The whole aspect of the assignment was to view who was behind the writing and how it affected the outcome. In a way, it was created to connect young readers to authors and poets while destroying the barriers that exist of time, space, and even speech choices.
I didn't know it at the time, but my favorite poet ended up being similar to my own background - writing about rural life, Scottish in descent, didn't enjoy "normal" jobs, chose an education in English, and suffered from bouts of depression. You may be wondering who this individual is. Well, I can tell you. My favorite poet is Robert Frost.
I am only part Scottish, but each of those connections were like a lifeline toward something I enjoyed and loved - writing and storytelling. There had been so much going on in my life - moving in with my father, my grandparents' deaths, a lack of real support emotionally, and a stifling atmosphere for creativity and thought. I stopped writing. Prior to moving in with my father, I spent the late hours of evening writing poetry in a small journal. At this time, I needed focus. I needed something that would clear my mind.
When I read The Road Not Taken, I knew that paths existed for each person. That the paths were usually trodden on by many before me. What I didn't seem to grasp was the way I perceived those paths. With this poem, I came to understand that choices were nothing like the black and white scheme pushed at me from the womb in America. There was so much grey that even the black and white was turning into a tie-dyed version of themselves. Perhaps it was my questioning nature or my desire for truth, but I used Robert Frost's poem as a way to view life.
Every choice has a different path. Every reaction creates a different atmosphere and scenery. My choices are not someone else's, nor do they affect someone else. It changed my mentality. As a young girl, I had no inclination of attending college. It never interested me. I spent months lolly-gagging around after graduating hoping to find something I enjoyed. I stayed away from writing. The fear was too great. What I feared was the rejection for my writing, which wasn't something I felt I could handle at the time. What I feared was that my path choice would be wrong. That small action would crush my tiny little flame.
I found a small job at a large book chain. I was surrounded by books and book lovers for hours and hours in a day. It was a peaceful job that continued to solidify my desire to be found in one of those stores later in life. Then, I got married to a man that provided the first real support in every way I had experienced in my life. So I began writing. Another path taken, but the path began to be covered with rubble. I struggled to put words to paper. I remember sitting there thinking how I would be able to write realistically when I hadn't experienced much. I continued trying to run from what I was and where I came from. It wasn't working.
Fast Forward through life!
I am back home. I am still married. I am still a writer. And I am now a published poet. I chose many paths that led me to where I am. None of them were greater or less than someone else's. What each of those paths were...was a stepping stone to a greater person and life. As I sit and reflect, I am happy that the poem and poet that chose to touch my heart was one that helped shape my direction. Even if I spend the rest of my life struggling to earn a living with writing, I will know that I am, and always will be, true to my heart's desires.
So I ask you, what is your favorite poem or poet? Has it shaped you into a different person and provided a different outlook on life?
I didn't know it at the time, but my favorite poet ended up being similar to my own background - writing about rural life, Scottish in descent, didn't enjoy "normal" jobs, chose an education in English, and suffered from bouts of depression. You may be wondering who this individual is. Well, I can tell you. My favorite poet is Robert Frost.
I am only part Scottish, but each of those connections were like a lifeline toward something I enjoyed and loved - writing and storytelling. There had been so much going on in my life - moving in with my father, my grandparents' deaths, a lack of real support emotionally, and a stifling atmosphere for creativity and thought. I stopped writing. Prior to moving in with my father, I spent the late hours of evening writing poetry in a small journal. At this time, I needed focus. I needed something that would clear my mind.
When I read The Road Not Taken, I knew that paths existed for each person. That the paths were usually trodden on by many before me. What I didn't seem to grasp was the way I perceived those paths. With this poem, I came to understand that choices were nothing like the black and white scheme pushed at me from the womb in America. There was so much grey that even the black and white was turning into a tie-dyed version of themselves. Perhaps it was my questioning nature or my desire for truth, but I used Robert Frost's poem as a way to view life.
Every choice has a different path. Every reaction creates a different atmosphere and scenery. My choices are not someone else's, nor do they affect someone else. It changed my mentality. As a young girl, I had no inclination of attending college. It never interested me. I spent months lolly-gagging around after graduating hoping to find something I enjoyed. I stayed away from writing. The fear was too great. What I feared was the rejection for my writing, which wasn't something I felt I could handle at the time. What I feared was that my path choice would be wrong. That small action would crush my tiny little flame.
I found a small job at a large book chain. I was surrounded by books and book lovers for hours and hours in a day. It was a peaceful job that continued to solidify my desire to be found in one of those stores later in life. Then, I got married to a man that provided the first real support in every way I had experienced in my life. So I began writing. Another path taken, but the path began to be covered with rubble. I struggled to put words to paper. I remember sitting there thinking how I would be able to write realistically when I hadn't experienced much. I continued trying to run from what I was and where I came from. It wasn't working.
Fast Forward through life!
I am back home. I am still married. I am still a writer. And I am now a published poet. I chose many paths that led me to where I am. None of them were greater or less than someone else's. What each of those paths were...was a stepping stone to a greater person and life. As I sit and reflect, I am happy that the poem and poet that chose to touch my heart was one that helped shape my direction. Even if I spend the rest of my life struggling to earn a living with writing, I will know that I am, and always will be, true to my heart's desires.
So I ask you, what is your favorite poem or poet? Has it shaped you into a different person and provided a different outlook on life?
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