8.28.2006

Thoreau's Journal: 28-Aug-1851

The poet is a man who lives at last by watching his moods. An old poet comes at last to watch his moods as narrowly as a cat does a mouse.

I omit the usual—the hurricanes and earthquakes—and describe the common. This has the greatest charm and is the true theme of poetry. You may have the extraordinary for your province, if you will let me have the ordinary. Give me the obscure life, the cottage of the poor and humble, the workdays of the world, the barren fields, the smallest share of all things but poetic perception. Give me but the eyes to see the things which you possess.

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

What a wonderful entry. This reads like a prayer to the muse.

Anonymous said...

Thank you for the delightful entries ! This is my first time reading this and it is a joy .
cordially ,
David Corbett

son rivers said...

David, Henry says you're welcome. Hope you keep coming back the rest of the year. And Robert, I'm partial to this entry as well.