RAE’S READS

In an effort to read more poetry this year than last (a 2021 goal), I am challenging myself with a short objective–to read a poem a day for ten days. And, what better way to do this than to use poets.org, the “original poetry service publishing new work by contemporary poets.” I subscribed today, Sunday, August 22nd, 2021.

Today’s featured poem is by Walter Everette Hawkins, a native of North Carolina, born in 1888.

Our ties to North Carolina, My Better Half’s birth state, incline me positively towards this poet to begin with.

The poem is titled, “The Drowsy World Dreams On.” In it, the poet marks the occurrence of many things, while “the drowsy world dreams on,” oft repeated as the final line of each stanza.

The final stanza of the poem sums up the world’s indifference to daily happenings, both large and small:

“And the dreary old world’s growing gloomy and gray,

While the joys that are sweetest are passing away;

And the charms that inspire like the picture of dawn

Are but playthings of Time–they gleam and are gone,

While the drowsy world dreams on.”

I will not post a poem a day and my interpretation of it, for the goal is to read poetry, not write about it. Instead, I would encourage you readers to choose a poem a day service and read a poem a day for whatever amount of time you choose to challenge your self for. Happy Reading–of POETRY!

Thanks, Evin!
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11 responses to “NEW CHALLENGE/POETRY”

  1. Deb Nance at Readerbuzz Avatar

    I subscribe to Poem a Day (which I sometimes read) and Writer’s Almanac (which I almost always read). Reading poetry is a huge positive experience for me: I am pulled out of the struggles of my life and I see that others suffer, too, and I see the events of life as both metaphorical and worthy, contributing to the greater good.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Rae Longest Avatar

      And so many times poetry gives us a good, hard look at ourselves!

      Liked by 1 person

  2. bridget whelan Avatar

    You’ve motivated me to sign up to Poem a Day. Thanks for this post Rae

    Liked by 2 people

  3. rajatnarula Avatar

    It’s always nice to read poetry. Love the idea of reading one a day.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Rae Longest Avatar

      It’s really a simple challenge.

      Liked by 1 person

  4. Gofita Avatar

    Good on ya for doing this! I don’t read a lot of poetry either not since college. I’ve got a few collections I’ve been meaning to read…

    Liked by 2 people

  5. Jee Wan Avatar

    Thank you for sharing, Rae! What a great idea to start reading poetry!

    Liked by 2 people

  6. Carla Avatar

    Great post Rae. I had not heard of this website, but just checked it out and it looks great. What a great challenge this is, I hope you were able to stick to it.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Rae Longest Avatar

      I confess, I wasn’t; BUT, I am going to be a Cybils panelist in the poetry division, so I will be reading a lot of poetry soon! And also, there’s always April!

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Carla Avatar

        Enjoy all that poetry. I am trying to read more as well.

        Like

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