Poetry Day Pastoral

By Philip Sidney

Sat, 21 Mar 2015
  • 2446 reads
13 comments
 

I shouldn’t be writing this poem. 

I should be unravelling

then rewinding

today's tangled mess

into the juggling balls of tomorrow.

 

I shouldn’t be writing this poem.

I should be weighing

sorrow, pity and concern

into manageable parcels

for easy distribution.

 

I shouldn’t be writing this poem.

I should be gathering thoughts

into cogent order

that I might partake

in the to and fro of sensible talk.

 

I shouldn’t be writing this poem.

I should be reading something better:

Pablo Neruda, in Spanish

Shakespeare, in magic

Theocritus, in ancient tongue.

 

I shouldn’t be writing this poem. 

I should be singing it

under a pine tree

to a goat.

Certificate U
Poem

Comments

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

Sounds like more sorting of tangled thoughts going on in this writing than in the reading of many acclaimed books. Rhiannon

 

Submitted by Philip Sidney on

I'm a procrastinator, never doing the things I should be or that would be better for me.  I tell myself off but I don't really listen.

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

I can identify with this poem Helen, so much to do, but so little time to do it in.

But don't ever regret writing Helen, you do it so well.

Jenny. 

 

Submitted by Philip Sidney on

What a lovely thing to say, thank you Jenny. smiley

Submitted by Bee on

So many times I've had the same thought about what I should be doing instead of writing about it. Loved the last line.

Bee

Submitted by Philip Sidney on

Thanks Bee!  I think I was a goatherd in a previous life.smiley

Submitted by tibi popovici on

I don't know what to say... the last stanza left me speechless. So cool, Philip! Good job!

Submitted by Philip Sidney on

laugh

Submitted by jeand on

Hi Helen

I really enjoyed reading this. And poetry has a value above all those other mundane things.

Jean

Jean Day

Submitted by Philip Sidney on

Thanks Jean :)

Submitted by torscot on

 "...Theocritus, in ancient tongue..."    Do I need to pay a visit to my dentist ?

torscot

Submitted by Philip Sidney on

laugh

Submitted by loquaciousicity on

Before singing it... you gotta write it!! And I'm happy you did smiley  !