A Poem For Your Thoughts

Geoffrey Chaucer: The Parlement of Fowls

Davis Creach, Arts Director

In our last edition, we discussed the elegant stylings of A. E. Housman. A very unique and beautiful poem, there were quite a few interpretations that intrigued me. Nevertheless, our comment this week comes from Amber Vora of the Uproar Staff.

Davis, your interpretation of “Along the field as we came by” really helped me to understand it and fall in love with it even more.

As for your poem, the rhyme scheme and word choice are impeccable. Can’t wait for next week’s edition!

Thank you so much for commenting! I encourage you to continue posting comments on each weekly edition of this column and you just might end up in next week’s article! Each edition will include two poems, the first being a featured piece written by a famous poet that will be analyzed and interpreted according to my point of view. Of course, everyone’s interpretation is different and valid, and the comment section will be open for any further discussion. The second piece is written by yours truly and will be open to complete interpretation and analysis. Go forth, enjoy, and as you read, remember: “It is not what you look at that matters, it is what you see.” – Henry David Thoreau

 

Poem One: The Parlement of Fowls by Geoffrey Chaucer (1343-1400)

(excerpt)

Now welcome, somer, with thy sonnesofte,
That hast with wintreswedres overshake,
And driven away the longe nyghtes blake!

Saynt Valentyn, that art fulhy on-lofte,
Thys syngensmalefoules for thy sake:
Now welcome, somer, with the sonne softe,
That hast this wintres wedres overshake.

Wel Han they cause for to gladen ofte,
Sith ech of hem recovered hath hys make;
Ful blissful mowe they synge when they wake:
Now welcome, somer, with thy sonne softe
That has this wintres wedres overshake
And driven away the longe nyghtes blake!

 

Thoughts: I know what you must be thinking: what on God’s green earth is this ancient dude saying? I never said Chaucer was an easy read, but his writing is lovely and truly beautiful. This is a mere excerpt from the quite extensive poem, but it still conveys the overall tone and purpose of the poem. Chaucer wrote this poem as a dream in which the speaker experiences an event of deep and passionate love. This section of the poem is welcoming the arrival of summer (somer) as it follows a cold winter. Chaucer’s speaker welcomes the singing fowls and the blazing sun that sheds its soft life on his new found love. The poem continues for several stanzas among many pages that convey the passion and jubilation in our speaker, and it is one of Chaucer’s most intricate and exquisite writings.

 

Poem Two: White Clovers by D.C.

I read our past chats

Late last night in bed.

The memories, warm

And quite nostalgic.

I long for those days.

 

At the time, immersed in love.

Our friends all laughing at us,

We sat together, in joy.

No matter the time or place,

You and I were tied tightly.

And as the bright flame did glow,

Our affection blossomed full.

 

You remind me of

White clovers in spring.

So soft and gentle,

Small but still gorgeous.

Sadly, they wither.

-D.C.

What did you think of this week’s issue? Please let me know in the comment section below and you might end up in next week’s article!