Retracing Keats

Retracing Keats

A Poem by Chris Shaw
"

(Visit to Keats House with Pandora a poetry friend)

"
A candle drips its waxy flow,
the embers from a fire aglow
and Fanny in the house next door
inspired John Keats to write far more
of Grecian Urns and Nightingales.

We tried to conjure up his muse
as we perused the garden views
and wandered in the rooms where he
compelled by creativity
sat at his desk to pen his odes.

A tragedy his life cut short,
but masterful the joy he's brought
to many since his death in Rome,
though sad he never made it home
to Hampstead and dear Fanny Brawne.

Pandora in a pensive trance
as we retraced his brief romance,
his young love's ring in glass display,
a poignant ending to the day
as we departed from that place.

© 2018 Chris Shaw


Author's Note

Chris Shaw
Well worth a visit.

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Gosh! You are taunting me with this one, Christine! I definitely have to see this! It is edging higher up my bucket list with every passing week.

It must have been a joy to take a moment of solitude as you walked about the home and gardens and wondered in marvel that he once dwelled there and produced those wonderful odes (And Bright Star!!!!!). Goes without saying he is my greatest inspiration. So, i really appreciate this little window into his life. I do hope to follow in your footsteps and Pandora's also by paying my own homage to his great legacy. Such a wonderful poet, cut cruelly short by those pesky hands of fate.

A wonderful poem. And I thank you for this one.

Posted 5 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

.

5 Years Ago

I certainly won't. Though selfies are my strong point. I am the kind of photographer that always get.. read more
Chris Shaw

5 Years Ago

Or get someone else to take a snap if you don't trust yourself :))
.

5 Years Ago

I probably will. Mustn't mess up that opportunity.



Reviews

Wow, Chris, this was amazing. I walked with you hand in hand. Into your journey into Keats.

Posted 5 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Chris Shaw

5 Years Ago

Thank you Dee, appreciate your response.

Chris
Lovely rhythm and flow. A fitting tribute. I remember how I felt at the old house where Oscar Wilde passed the time. It's an awe, a reverence, you capture it well

Posted 5 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Chris Shaw

5 Years Ago

Thanks Lyn. Have to agree, you feel in awe of their achievements.

Chris
I learned so much about him through the movie, "Bright Star", then was deeply influenced to write what I have written to date. It is such a tragic tale, and to be able to walk through what was once a part of his life, is just extraordinary! He surges through me from time to time. I was up late into the morning last night, in an attempt to get something down in writing. I was overjoyed to come across this. Wow, thank you for sharing it, Chris!

Posted 5 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Chris Shaw

5 Years Ago

There's no poet like Keats. I haven't seen Bright Star, so I will have to do my best to see it Kelly.. read more
Kelly Scheppers

5 Years Ago

I'd love to see Hemingway's house, too. My list is growing as we speak! ; ) ...thanks, Chris!
Jolly good! An excellent poem that does justice to a great writer. Thank you very much

Posted 5 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Chris Shaw

5 Years Ago

Thank you Augustus. Pleased to see you on my page. Your visit is appreciated.

Chris
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Gee
Poems like this make me realise just how little I know about most things. I'm very poorly read and take very little interest in anything apart from my family and Liverpool FC....saddo. I'm surprised I can string more than two words together.
That being said it doesn't stop me enjoying your poetry.
Hope you are well Christine

Posted 5 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Chris Shaw

5 Years Ago

Thanks Gee. You are in good company. My husband never reads books and is an avid supporter of Liverp.. read more
so many are tragically taken early...and those who are singers, painters, writers...we always will ask the question..."how much more could they or would they have given us, if given a longer life to do so?"

i really like "pensive trance"---the entire last stanza for that matter.

Posted 5 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Chris Shaw

5 Years Ago

Thank you Jacob. They burned with an extraordinary flame before they were extinguished. Maybe that's.. read more
Wow, I would love to do that. I have visited many poets homes here in the states though.

When I was at Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts, just outside of Boston on the beautiful Charles river, I went to Houghton Library. They have an Emily Dickinson room there, plus Harvard owns about 1/2 of her extant Manuscripts and many Family and personal
belongings. One of the, if not the, greatest poets who ever lived. I study her, but am in no way an Emily Dickinson scholar. I toured her home in Amherst, about 100 miles west of Boston, among other sites. Robert Frost also lived on Amherst. Anyway, the main point is, Houghton also has a John Keats room. As I remember, at least years ago when I was there, the Keats' room was the first room. So I was fortunate enough to actually see some Keats' Manuscripts, very cool!!

Here is a link to Houghton Library's Keats room.

https://library.harvard.edu/collections/harvard-keats-collection

Posted 5 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Chris Shaw

5 Years Ago

Thank you for your interesting response and your link. I took advantage of the link you gave me rece.. read more
A wonderful poem. I would love to visit. I visit many location of the great writers. I sat in Hemingway drinking chair. You allowed the reader to visit this wonderful place with you. Thank you Chris for sharing the amazing poetry.
Coyote

Posted 5 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Chris Shaw

5 Years Ago

How wonderful to sit in Hemingway's drinking chair. I hope you felt suitably inspired as you sat the.. read more
Coyote Poetry

5 Years Ago

I did. I wrote five poems and drank some whiskey. You are welcome Chris.
Wonderful poem of homage to Keats and his Fanny, Chris. Beautifully written verses and rhyme take us on his too-short journey... his desk, her ring- aaah such idyllic love and imagery. I hope I can visit his house someday. I visited Edgar Allen Poe’s Cottage in the Bronx often as a teenager, and the tiny, dark rooms really brought him alive to me. Thank you for the memories my friend.

Posted 5 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Chris Shaw

5 Years Ago

Thank you so much Annette. Your trip to Edgar Allen Poe's Cottage has stayed with you. I also visite.. read more

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Added on July 20, 2018
Last Updated on July 20, 2018

Author

Chris Shaw
Chris Shaw

Berkshire, United Kingdom



About
Albert, my paternal grandfather introduced me to Tennyson when I was nine. I have loved poetry ever since but did not attempt writing a single piece until I was 40. It's never too late to try somethin.. more..

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