Welcome back to your poetic destination on the Uproar! Last week, we discussed a rather simple but inspiring poem by Alfred Lord Tennyson, The Eagle. 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: Sonnet 26 by William Shakespeare

Lord of my love, to whom in vassalage

Thy merit hath my duty strongly knit,

To thee I send this written embassage,

To witness duty, not to show my wit:

Duty so great, which wit so poor as mine

May make seem bare, in wanting words to show it,

But that I hope some good conceit of thine

In thy soul’s thought, all naked, will bestow it:

Till whatsoever star that guides my moving,

Points on me graciously with fair aspect,

And puts apparel on my tottered loving,

To show me worthy of thy sweet respect:

  Then may I dare to boast how I do love thee;

  Till then, not show my head where thou mayst prove me.

Thoughts: The almighty Shakespeare wrote over 150 sonnets in his time as a poet. In this particular sonnet, the speaker describes his commitment to God. He describes himself as a vassal in servitude to his master, God, and in his spirited youth, he wants to remain loyal to his mission in Christ and be blessed by his Lord. It is a simple poem of utmost devotion and servitude, but also that of the temptations of youth. He wants to “show his wit” but instead, he asks that God help him in “witnessing his duty”. The constant struggle to honor the Lord instead of bolstering his own image is prevalent in this poem, and the speaker is praying for steadfast devotion. A heartfelt poem of divine appreciation and servitude.

Poem Two: How Did It Get So Late So Soon? by D.C.

It seems like you just ran into my arms, yet no longer do I hold you.

We had only just begun to kiss, those irresistible lips of yours still linger on my own.

I taste the slight taste of vanilla you’ve left for me.

How does the time freeze and rapidly race forward simultaneously?

I wish it was in a perpetual state of stillness, only us two moving together.

How did we lose track of the time? How have we not learned?

That’s love, I suppose, since we keep falling deeper, faster, farther;

And we are only getting worse at keeping track of the outside world,

For I have two worlds, and the one of far greater importance is you.

-D.C.

Please leave your thoughts in the comment section below and you might be in next week’s article!