"The Voice of God" a poem by Louis I. Newman and "Vessel" a poem by Jess Coffman

The Voice of God

I sought to hear the voice of God,
    And climbed the topmost steeple.
But God declared: "Go down again,
    I dwell among the people."

LOUIS I. NEWMAN

I read "The Voice of God" last week and I loved it instantly. I love the simplicity and humility of the theme, and it happens to be something that I believe wholeheartedly. I believe that we all have the ability to connect with our Creator, through other people in our lives. Those people whether stranger or friend, act as reflections of our Creator all of the time. There are definitely times in my life when I recognized someone else choosing a kinder,  more helpful, more patient or more understanding choice than my own, and felt like I was being shown a more Godly path. Of course, there are exact opposite scenarios to the ones that I am exploring, but I would like to simply focus on the good for today. It is this idea of each of us being a vessel for our Creator's goodness, that has caused me to write the following poem.


Vessel

Make of me a Vessel, for Goodness and Godness,

To illuminate life’s shadows, and celebrate its Oddness.

I patiently wait with my pen on the page,

For a drop of your wisdom, electricity or rage.

Without fight, I will swallow each ounce of Revelation.

I’ll be thankful for every, slight, daily Transformation.

And with the utmost effort to be a funnel for your Creation,

I hope to bring to you a Counter-Culture Congregation:

A crowd who worships Art and consequently the Most High.

For it is God who began the creative discourse,

And God who urges our Unique Reply.

JESS COFFMAN

"Spruce Me Up Ben Franklin!" a poem by Jess Coffman

Happy 4th of July! This is one of my favorite holidays, I love the energy in the air from billions of people excited for the celebration of flag cakes, marching bands, BBQ's and of course fireworks. It is a day when everyone is joyful, forgiving, maybe a little tipsy and playful, I love it. My family and I used to go to a free concert in an outdoor amphitheater where we could bring our own picnic and booze. It is one of my greatest memories of childhood, I actually would love to be there tonight. But I am happy to be in one of the most patriotic cites in the country instead. 

I was speaking with my Dad this morning and he said something about Ben Franklin which reminded me of a poem that I wrote last summer while I was visiting Billy in Philadelphia. I went to a place called City Tavern for a quick drink while I was waiting for his matinee to end. It is exciting for tourists because the servers are dressed in colonial garb and they serve food that is inspired by 18th century early American cuisine like Braised Rabbit and Tavern Lobster Pie. 

They also serve Yards beer which is a local brewery in Philadelphia, which became well known because of its "Ales of the Revolution." These beers include Tavern Spruce Ale, Tavern Ale and Tavern Porter. These beers are based on the original beer recipes that were created by a few of the Founding Fathers. On that fateful July afternoon at City Tavern in Philly, I discovered my favorite beer of all time is the Tavern Spruce Ale. It was inspired by Benjamin Franklin's 18th century ale which used spruce and molasses in its recipe, since barley and hops were not available. Those unique ingredients make it taste like Christmas in a bottle, and I love every single sip of it. I was so inspired by it that I ended up writing a playful poem about the two things that I loved most in that moment, Billy and Beer. 

Spruce Me Up Ben Franklin!

Our History tell a Kisstory,

Of complete and utter Blisstory.

Which was never a Remisstory,

It was quick with love and trust.

Though the future is a Mystery,

I am certain of Thisstory:

We will not be a Dismisstory,

Our love is timeless and robust. 

Cheers! 

Here are the websites for Yards and City Tavern.

http://www.yardsbrewing.com/

http://www.citytavern.com/

"Distant Love" a poem by Jess Coffman

I wrote this poem last summer when my boyfriend and I were struggling while dating long distance, though I am totally an advocate of loving long distance if it means getting a chance to pursue your personal goals. Some may see that as a selfish thing, but I personally think of it as an investment for the future. I know that if I don't go where my career takes me at this point in my life before marriage and children happen, I will not be fulfilled. I think that in that scenario,  it would be easy to blame the people in my life that I felt, held me back. Actually from the very beginning of our relationship, we agreed to remain loyal to each other regardless of our location, and it has worked out really well. At this point about half of our relationship has been apart and though we have found ways to keep things romantic while away, it is still really challenging at times. I wrote this poem as a means to comfort myself, it is meant to be a dialog between the lovers.

Distant Love

Distant Love,

Come to me,

So we can make a memory.

I need your neck to bury in.

I need your touch to enliven my skin.

            Distant Love,

            Hurry Home,

            Let the brooks and buffalo roam.

            I need your love to wrap me tight.

            I need your laugh to enliven tonight.

Distant Love,

I must stay.

We cannot weep for Yesterday.

My journey’s end is coming fast,

Then we can have our adventure at last.

Distant Love,

I will wait.  

And never will I Hesitate.

Today’s gift is once and gone.

Your honeyed words ease, the trudging beyond.

"She Walks In Beauty" and "Beauty is Not Bound"

These are two of my favorite poems that I read in the "Beauty" section of  A Treasury of Poems: A Collection of the World's Most Famous and Familiar Verse compiled by Sarah Anne Stuart.

She Walks in Beauty

She walks in beauty, like the night
Of cloudless climes and starry skies,
And all that's best of dark and bright
Meet in her aspect and her eyes;
Thus mellowed to that tender light
Which heaven to gaudy day denies.

One shade the more, one ray the less
Had half impaired the nameless grace
Which waves in every raven tress
Or softly lightens o'er her face,
Where thoughts serenely sweet express
How pure, how dear their dwelling-place.

And on that cheek and o'er that brow
So soft, so calm, yet eloquent,
The smiles that win, the tints that glow
But tell of days in goodness spent,
A mind at peace with all below,
A heart whose love is innocent.

GEORGE GORDON, LORD BYRON

Helpful Vocabulary

Climes - (n.) a region considered with reference to its climate

Aspect -  (n.) 1. a particular part or feature of something,
* a specific way in which something can be considered
* a particular appearance or quality
Synonyms - feature, facet, characteristic/expression, demeanor, ambience

Gaudy - (adj.) extravagantly bright or showy, typically so as to be tasteless

Eloquent - fluent or persuasive in speaking or writing
* clearly expressing or indicating something
Synonyms - articulate, expressive, effective / revealing, significant, indicative

My Interpretation

The line that hit me the most in this poem was "and all that's best of dark and bright, meet in her aspect and her eyes." That hit home for me because the poets were really celebrating the beauty of dark hair and dark eyes, and the idea that dark beauty can be bright and captivating. I also loved that this dark featured beauty is being described as innocent, graceful, simple and happy when so often dark featured woman are portrayed as evil queens or temptresses. I also just loved the line, "the smiles that win." It made me think of the times when a fight with someone you love ends because someone trips accidentally or one person cracks a joke that makes both laugh. And even more simply, all of the positive power that is held in a smile, and how much better you feel when you pass it on to someone else.

Beauty is Not Bound

Give beauty all her right!
She's not to one form tied;
Each shape yields fair delight
Where her perfections bide:
Helen, I grant, might pleasing be,
And Rosamond was as sweet as she.

Some the quick eye commends,
Some swelling lips and red;
Pale looks have many friends,
Through sacred sweetness bred:
Meadows have flowers that pleasures move,
Though roses are the flowers of love.

Free beauty is not bound
To one unmoved clime;
She visits every ground
And favors every time.
Let the old loves with mine compare;
My sovereign is as sweet and fair.

THOMAS CAMPION

Helpful Vocabulary

Fair - (n) 1. gentle, not violent
* just or appropriate in the circumstances
2. light, blond

Bide - (n.) remain or stay somewhere
Synonyms - wait, hold on, hang around

Commend - (v.) praise formally or officially
*present as suitable for approval or acceptance; recommend
2. entrust someone or something to

Sovereign - (n.) 1. supreme ruler; monarch
(adj.) possessing supreme or ultimate power
* fully independent and determining it's own affairs
* very good or effective

My Interpretation

I really love the theme of this poem, right away it opens up with a strong statement "Give beauty all her right!" Thomas Campion is advocating for all of the beauty that is not celebrated because it does not fit a societal mold of that time. He stresses that there is not one form, time period, location or shape that beauty is tied to, it is free and "visits every ground." I love at the very end that he refers to his lady as his "sovereign" or queen essentially. I love how he aggressively defends her beauty and challenges his audience to consider perhaps society's unsung as beautiful too.

"The Oak" a poem by Alfred Lord Tennyson

So this book, "A Treasury of Poems: A Collection of the Most Famous and Familiar Verse" compiled by Sarah Anne Stuart, is in alphabetical order relating to each poem's theme. The first category is Aging  and I was really moved by a poem called "The Oak" written by Alfred Lord Tennyson.

The Oak

Live thy Life,
   Young and old,

Like yon oak,

Bright in spring,

   Living gold;

Summer-rich

   Then; and then

Autumn-changed,

Soberer-hued

   Gold again.

All his leaves

   Fallen at length,

Look, he stands,

Trunk and bough,

   Naked strength.

Alfred Lord Tennyson

I really enjoyed the simplicity of this poem. It has colorful imagery and I personally connected with it because I grew up in an valley that has many revered oak trees. My favorite verse is definitely the last one. I can really picture, though not a typically beautiful sight, a naked elderly grey-bodied man compared to a winter-bare-wrinkled-grey oak trunk, and see them as quite a pair. Even though, neither are at the most beautiful stages of their lives, you know that they have endured the joy and fight of life. The idea of "naked strength" to me is so compelling. To me, that simple line composed of two words, made me love and connect to the whole poem. That is a great lesson for me as a writer, sometimes clear and simple yet evocative communication can be best of all. 

Interesting Facts About the Author

Alfred Lord Tennyson 

There was a lot of very valuable information within Alfred Lord Tennyson's biography on poemhunter.com, but here are a few tidbits that I really found interesting. 

Some of Tennyson's phrases have withstood the test of time and become commonplace in contemporary English language, such as "Tis better to have loved and lost / Than never to have loved at all." This phrase comes from Tennyson's In Memoriam A.H.H., which is  a very long poem written to commemorate his late brother-in-law and friend Arthur Hallam. In Memoriam A.H.H.  is considered to be Tennyson's lifelong masterpiece. 

Tennyson began writing poetry at a very young age, inspired by other poets including John Keats. Tennyson published his first solo work while in college at Cambrige in 1827, entitled Poems by Two Brothers. He achieved early success with his first book, but his second book published in 1833, was not well received and discouraged Tennyson from publishing for 10 years! It is amazing what your inner "resistance" can keep you from accomplishing. Though he did still write during all those unpublished years.

In 1850, upon publishing his renowned In Memoriam A.H.H., Alfred Tennyson was appointed Poet Laureate which he held until his death in 1892. According to Wikipedia, the Poet Laureate is an "honorary position appointed by the monarch of the United Kingdom on the advice of the Prime Minister. The role does not entail any specific duties, but there is an expectation that the holder will write verse for significant national occasions." He became Baron Tennyson much later in 1884 as a result of Queen Victoria's admiration of his work.  Thomas Edison was also one of Tennyson's admirers and made multiple sound recordings of Tennyson reading his own poetry. 

 Alfred Lord Tennyson's biography on poemhunter.com said that he was a master in onomatopoeia, alliteration and assonance. I thought that is may be helpful to define what those literary terms mean. 

Helpful Vocabulary

Onomatopoeia - (n.) the formation of a word from a sound associated with what is named 
ie. buzz, whoosh, screech, bang, hiss, puff, fizz

Alliteration - (n.) the occurrence of the same letter or sound at the beginning of adjacent or closely connected words.
ie. Jumping Jehosaphat!, ardent anarchist, icy igloo, mourning mother

Assonance - (n.) in poetry, the repetition of the sound of a vowel or diphthong in nonrhyming stressed syllables near enough to each other for the echo to be discernible 
ie. Tonight I'll try to light your fire. (long "i" sound),  And so she rests in her hammock, depressed tears wet her tresses and stain her dress (short "e" sound).

Alfred Lord Tennyson's Works:

Poems, Chiefly Lyrical (1830):
Lady Clara Vere de Vere (1832)
Poems (1833):
The Lady of Shalott (1832, 1842)
The Palace of Art
St. Simeon Stylites (1833)
Poems (1842):
The Two Voices (1834)
"Ulysses" (1833)
The Princess; A Medley (1847)
In Memoriam A.H.H. (1849)
Ring Out, Wild Bells (1850)
The Eagle (1851)
Maud; A Monodrama (1855/1856)
The Charge of the Light Brigade (1854)
Enoch Arden and Other Poems (1862/1864)
Flower in the crannied wall (1869)
The Window – Song cycle with Arthur Sullivan. (1871)
Harold (1876)
Idylls of the King (composed 1833–1874)
Locksley Hall Sixty Years After (1886)
Crossing the Bar (1889)
The Foresters – a play with incidental music by Arthur Sullivan (1891) Kapiolani (published after his death by Hallam Tennyson)

You can also check out his entire biography here on poemhunter.com
http://www.poemhunter.com/alfred-lord-tennyson/biography/

"A Treasury of Poems" and New Goals!

Last summer when I was praying to My Muse and writing daily poems, I came across a book called "A Treasury of Poems: A Collection of the World's Most Famous and Familiar Verse." I discovered many new favorite poems from this giant anthology of over 400 poems, but I certainly have not read the whole thing. I was feeling a bit insecure the other day that I call myself a poet, and yet I cannot recite my favorite poem, nor do I have a favorite poet. The truth is, I didn't study poetry in school. I did study Lyric Writing from Barry Manilow's life-long writing parter, the hilariously candid and generous Marty Panzer. But truly, I have so much to learn and dissect from the great poets relating to form, figurative language, communication and creativity.

My goal is to study this book as I would if I were taking a poetry class for a semester in college. So for the next 16 weeks, this being week one, I will read between 25 and 30 poems per week. I am going to choose my very favorite poems to post on this blog, I will also include a bit of information about the poet. Perhaps once this study is done, I will have some of my favorite poems memorized and will have an idea of who my favorite poet is.

I hope you will all help to keep me accountable for my goal!

Thanks!

Jess

"Miracle Baby" lyrics by Jess Coffman

Yesterday I posted about my Muse, and the inspiration that I received when I was thinking about one of my best friends. I would like to share those lyrics with you, and I have to admit that I am pretty excited about them. 

First, I would like to tell you about my friend. She and I have a very special relationship though we have not lived on the same coast for 10 years, and we go sometimes months without talking. We were best friends in High School, and have many hilarious memories from those days. I am actually cracking up right now as I write this. We call each other "Fraggle Queens" which came from a night in ninth grade when we put our short layered hair up in high ponytails, and scotch taped our faces to scare her younger brother. Another time, we constructed a "poking device" made from a hanger and a wooden skewer, to squeeze through the window of my little red truck, to retrieve my keys which were in the ignition. We totally succeeded. 

She and her older brother would always make fun of my erect posture and would call me "Peter Pan," so one year I dressed up as "Peter Pan" at one of her parties and we ended up stealing "pirate booty" from a neighbor's yard. The "pirate booty" was actually just some multi-colored glass rocks that looked like jewels, and we returned them that night when things started to go awry. There are so many great memories from those days when we were incredibly inexperienced with boys, booze or anything else that could get us into trouble. We had mostly good clean fun, and we loved it. 

As we got older, we supported each other through separation, divorce, broken-hearts, questioning faith, cancer and sadly her grandmother and father's passing. But there have been some really wonderful things that we have celebrated together too, the marriage to her lovely husband and now her new baby boy. She has been the inspiration for three of my pieces that I am really proud of. 

The lyrics that I wrote yesterday morning were inspired by her Miracle Baby. Last year, after her father's struggle with cancer had taken his life, and her mother-in-law had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, she was devastated and feeling very hopeless. It was absolutely understandable, but so heart-breaking to see her so dispirited. She is naturally and ordinarily one of the brightest shining souls I know. It was during this time that she confessed to me that she was overwhelmed by so much sickness and loss of life, and that she just wanted to be able to create a life herself. She and her husband had been trying to get pregnant for months, but it hadn't worked out yet. When she finally got pregnant, it was such joyous news because it brought much needed hope to their families. 

Everything was going great with her pregnancy, until one morning at about eight months she had excruciating pain. Her husband took her to the hospital and the doctors recovered a forgotten cyst twisting on itself and engulfing her right ovary. They decided that it was necessary to do an emergency C-section birth of the baby, and then remove her right ovary. She was in shock, but the doctors reassured her that her baby would be fine, and she would still be able to have future children with her one remaining ovary. It was an unplanned and tense day, but everything worked out fine. The baby was healthy and the mother was recovering and feeling good too. 

Unfortunately, her doctors came to her a few days later with terrible news. They had biopsied her removed ovary which is a standard practice, but unexpectedly found ovarian cancer. Apparently ovarian cancer is one of those silent killers in much older women, it is not ordinarily something that younger women suffer from. Though it is not something that can be checked in a regular pap-smear, so  a woman has no idea when she has it. 

This is where the Miracle Baby comes in. Her doctor told her that if she had not gotten pregnant, the cyst in her right ovary would never have grown. Furthermore, the unknown cancerous tumor in her right ovary would never have been detected and removed. Her son essentially saved her life. But her son's birth not only saved her from sickness, it also restored her faith and provided her with a new life perspective and love to share with her family. 

Though, I would like to share that my friend is not completely in the clear yet. The doctors are about 90% sure that she is cancer-free after a recent PET scan, though another surgery in a few weeks will take a closer examination to ensure that she is. I ask for your prayers or positive thoughts with her in mind as she awaits her fate. 

Thank-you!

Miracle Baby

I felt your presence there,

And suddenly magic!

You changed every thought in my head

from just me, to us both. 

I felt you move inside,

A miraculous, glorious gift 

That sparked much needed hope. 

On a beautiful day,

Your Dad took me to sea,

On a beautiful boat he made just with his hands. 

As we laid down to love,

Our young fingers entwined,

As the sun glimmered bright, our beloved wedding bands. 

And we breathed you to life,

As our breath slowed to calm

On that beautiful day,

When we basked in our love. 

What a beautiful way 

To begin a new life,

On the uncertain sea,

Before God up above.  

I never wanted more,

Than a family, richer in love over richer in means. 

And I finally  do. 

I never wanted more,

Than a baby to restore my hope,

But I've found more in you. 

On a beautiful day,

Your Dad took me to see,

All the beautiful you, growing inside of me.

As I laid down for birth,

My eyes swollen with fear,

But the Lord, stroked my brow and my purpose was clear. 

As we breathed you to life,

As our breath slowed to calm

On that beautiful day,

When you saved me from death.

What a beautiful way

To begin a new life,

To have healed all my pain. 

In your very first breath.