What Sparks Poetry is a serialized feature in which we invite writers to explore experiences and ideas that spark new poems and other writing. In Delineated: Prose Writers on Poetry, prominent writers of fiction and non-fiction reflect on how poetry illuminates their creative lives, whether as inspiration, a daily practice, or a thread of hope through difficult times.
Don't worry about it, Quinctius. Don't fret. Whatever they plan, the Cantabrians and the Scythians— Divided from us by the Adriatic sea— Signifies almost nothing. Life is short,
And asks little of us. How soon the bright Days of our youth and beauty end, and age Puts paid to love and ease and the small gift Of going out like a light.
The wildflowers of spring will not inherit The earth forever nor the moon shine like this. Why do you weary yourself? Why do you worry The infinite question with your finite spirit?
Why not drink this wine under the airy Plane trees and pines while we can, our silver hair Reddened with rose petals and fragrant with The sweet oils and balsam of Syria?
For the god of wine is the enemy of care. And which slave-boy will bring us water now From a fast stream to cool down and temper Our bowls of Falernian fire?
And as for Lyde, who is going to persuade her, Shy as she is, to leave home and join us? Tell her to hurry. Tell her to come, dressed Laconian-style, with Her ivory lyre and her hair neatly tied.
II.11
Quid bellicosus Cantaber et Scythes, Hirpine Quincti, cogitet Hadria divisus obiecto, remittas quaerere, nec trepides in usum
poscentis aevi pauca: fugit retro levis iuventas et decor, arida pellente lascivos amores canitie facilemque somnum.
non semper idem floribus est honor vernis, neque uno luna rubens nitet voltu: quid aeternis minorem consiliis animum fatigas?
cur non sub alta vel platano vel hac pinu iacentes sic temere et rosa canos odorati capillos, dum licet, Assyriaque nardo
"Maybe what we mistake for portents are only hauntings. We are forever caught in the lyric spirals of Horace, the worst seasons return again and again in new guise, Death, pale and impartial, ever at the door. So we cling to the simplest dreams: a drink of wine, a pretty youth, a line of poetry."
"Craig muMs Grant’s biggest success as an actor was the role of Poet on the HBO prison drama 'Oz,' but fans of that series were accustomed to seeing him credited simply as muMs. It was a name he adopted as a young man when he was exploring rap and slam poetry, influences that he said changed his life."
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