Poetry Meme

[rusty_armour]

When you see this post a poem in your own LJ.

I grabbed this meme from alysscarlet.


The Tyger

By William Blake

Tyger! Tyger! burning bright,
In the forests of the night,
What immortal hand or eye
Could frame thy fearful symmetry?

In what distant deeps or skies
Burnt the fire of thine eyes?
On what wings dare he aspire?
What the hand dare sieze the fire?

And what shoulder, & what art,
Could twist the sinews of thy heart?
And when thy heart began to beat,
What dread hand? & what dread feet?

What the hammer? what the chain?
In what furnace was thy brain?
What the anvil? what dread grasp
Dare its deadly terrors clasp?

When the stars threw down their spears,
And water'd heaven with their tears,
Did he smile his work to see?
Did he who made the Lamb make thee?

Tyger! Tyger! burning bright
In the forests of the night,
What immortal hand or eye
Dare frame thy fearful symmetry?

~ ~ ~

I've always loved the sound and rhythm of "The Tyger," not to mention the wonderful language and imagery that seems to be typical of all of William Blake's poems. It also doesn't hurt that I was born in the Year of the Tiger. *g*

Comments

[alysscarlet.livejournal.com]

It's a wonderful poem. Excellent choice!

[rusty-armour.livejournal.com]

Thanks! I don't even remember when I first read this, but it's obviously stayed with me through the years. :-)

[radiogaga80.livejournal.com]

You know what's funny? One of my favorite poems is "The Panther" by Rainer Maria Rilke.

[rusty-armour.livejournal.com]

That's kind of scary but also really cool! :-)

[sublunarfields.livejournal.com]

I love that poem! Great choice. :)

[rusty-armour.livejournal.com]

Thank you! I'm glad you approve! :-)

[avictoriangirl]

Oh lovely! I agree, I really love the rhythm of it. Great poem. :D

[rusty-armour.livejournal.com]

Yes, I think the rhythm is one reason why certain lines stick with me when I'm usually terrible at remembering poems. Anyway, I'm glad you like "The Tyger" too. :-)

[sublunarfields.livejournal.com]

This meme made me look for some of my favorite poems, but it turns out the two I wanted haven't been translated into English. Anyway, you've probably forgotten about this meme by now and maybe I should too. :)

[rusty-armour.livejournal.com]

This meme made me look for some of my favorite poems, but it turns out the two I wanted haven't been translated into English.

I'm sorry that the poems you wanted to use weren't translated into English. I'd say post them anyway, but I guess it kind of defeats the purpose if there are people on your flist who won't be able to understand them.

Anyway, you've probably forgotten about this meme by now and maybe I should too. :)

Actually, a friend of mine participated in the meme only yesterday, so it's still fresh in my memory. Fortunately, there are tons of memes out there, so maybe you can find something else that will interest you.

[boobamiaow.livejournal.com]

When the stars threw down their spears,
And water'd heaven with their tears,
Did he smile his work to see?
Did he who made the Lamb make thee?

I love that Stanza. Makes me want to start reading/writing poetry again :)

[rusty-armour.livejournal.com]

Hey, boobamiaow! That is a wonderful stanza, isn't it? I just love the imagery that runs throughout "The Tyger" and all of Blake's poetry. If you enjoy reading/writing poetry then you should pursue it again! I know I should make more of an effort to read poetry. I haven't made any serious attempt to write poetry in years. It's not something that comes naturally to me. I'm too much of a prose girl. *g*

[tazzles.livejournal.com]

I've never been one for poetry, but this one has wonderful imagery.
And damn! I saw it! What's the first poem that comes into my head.....

[rusty-armour.livejournal.com]

Hey, tazzles! I have to confess that I'm not really one for poetry either. I mean, I admire it a hell of a lot - not to mention the people who are talented enough to write it. However, it's not something I usually gravitate towards. The last poetry I actively read was from a collection of Edgar Allan Poe's works, which included short stories and essays as well. Anywaaaaaay, the poetry that appeals to me most usually contains strong imagery, which is why "The Tyger" definitely speaks to me.