Retracing Keats

(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.

Author's Note

Well worth a visit.

Reviews

[.]

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.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you so much. The icing on the cake was being allowed to picnic in the grounds with five poetry friends, one who had travelled from Canada.

[.]

Personally, i dont think i would eat! Rather try and channel his spirit into some writing of my own.

[Chris Shaw]

We did everything we could to conjure up his spirit. Pandora, kissed the life size bust of Keats on display :))

[.]

Hahaha. Saves me trying then! Though i dont think i would try that to be honest!

[Chris Shaw]

It may raise an eyebrow or two, but hey we've all gone liberal now, well over here we have:))

[.]

I'll settle for a head pat, instead! Haha

[Chris Shaw]

Yeah, don't forget to take a selfie if you get there:))

[.]

I certainly won't. Though selfies are my strong point. I am the kind of photographer that always gets half head, and closed eye shots. I will try though.

[Chris Shaw]

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

[.]

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

[Onlyme]

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

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Dee, appreciate your response.

Chris

[Lyn Anderson]

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

[Chris Shaw]

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

Chris

[Kelly Scheppers]

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!

[Chris Shaw]

There's no poet like Keats. I haven't seen Bright Star, so I will have to do my best to see it Kelly. The ambience in Keats House is amazing. His presence lingers there without a doubt. Put it on your bucket list. Thank you for your lovely review.

Chris

[Kelly Scheppers]

I'd love to see Hemingway's house, too. My list is growing as we speak! ; ) ...thanks, Chris!

[augustus]

Jolly good! An excellent poem that does justice to a great writer. Thank you very much

[Chris Shaw]

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

Chris

[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

[Chris Shaw]

Thanks Gee. You are in good company. My husband never reads books and is an avid supporter of Liverpool as well. He is loved because he is different from me. Pleased you enjoyed this poem. All's well here and we have had some rain, lovely and refreshing air this morning.

Chris

[jacob erin-cilberto]

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.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Jacob. They burned with an extraordinary flame before they were extinguished. Maybe that's how it was meant to be.

Chris

[ohiojohn]

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

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you for your interesting response and your link. I took advantage of the link you gave me recently on poemhunter to look up the two sister poets from Ohio. I appreciate your interest in my work.

Chris

[Coyote Poetry]

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

[Chris Shaw]

How wonderful to sit in Hemingway's drinking chair. I hope you felt suitably inspired as you sat there Coyote :)) Thank you for your response.

[Coyote Poetry]

I did. I wrote five poems and drank some whiskey. You are welcome Chris.

[Annette Pisano-Higley]

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.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you so much Annette. Your trip to Edgar Allen Poe's Cottage has stayed with you. I also visited Dove Cottage where Wordsworth penned his best. It gives an incredible feeling to know their best works were penned in those places. Dove Cottage such a humble abode, small and dark, whereas Keats House is rather larger and more splendid.