michaelgriffith (michaelgriffith) wrote,
michaelgriffith
michaelgriffith

New Short Term Poetry Competion: "The Spirit"

Hi all.... Poetry in the Gallery PIG was such a success that we plan to continue this "Marriage" between LJ and PIG.... a new exhibition of paintings to do with the Spirit is opening on March 31st.... we (the royal we!) are proposing that you find the inspiration to write a poem called "Spirit" or a poem that contains the theme or idea of whatever you think "Spirit" might mean..... The best four poems/poets will be invited to read their poem at PIG on the 5th April between 5 and 6.30... so get your writing skates on.... Took the snap of the spirit in the garden on my way from Strathfield station this morning..... reminded me of those astonishing concluding lines in Wordsworth's "The Ruined Cottage": (19thC go and read it!) where the old man gives advice to one who is deeply disturbed by the tragic fate of the family that once lived in this now ruined cottage. Typically Wordsworth (here through the Old Man) turns his/our attention to the grace and magic of something seemingly insignificant- some weedy grass covered in drops of rain... this becomes a catalyst for a different way of viewing the universe.... living, present, in the moment, in the NOW:
"My Friend, enought to sorrow have you given,
The purposes of wisdom ask no more;
Be wise and chearful, and no longer read
The forms of things with an unworthy eye.
She sleeps in the calm earth, and peace is here.
I well remember that those very plumes,
Those weeds, and the high spear-grass on that wall,
By mist and silent rain-drops silver'd o'er,
As once I passed did to my heart convey
So still an image of tranquillity,
So calm and still, and looked so beautiful
Amid the uneasy thoughts which filled my mind,
That what we feel of sorrow and despair
From ruin and from change, and all the grief
The passing shews of being leave behind,
Appeared an idle dream that could not live
Where meditation was. I turned away
And walked along my road to happiness."


SO PLEASE PUT YOUR POEMS ON "SPIRIT" IN THIS THREAD... THAT IS TO SAY... WRITE THEM IN YOUR LIVEJOURNAL AND THEN CUT AND PAST THEM INTO THE COMMENTS OF THIS ENTRY... THIS WILL KEEP ALL THE SPIRIT ENTRIES TOGETHER AND MAKE IT EASIER FOR US TO JUDGE THEM... THANK YOU SHAUN FARLOW FOR THIS CLEVER IDEA!!!
MG
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