What I am reading: “Paradise Lost”
One of the units I studied last semester included a reading of selected works from the classics of English literature. One of the works studied was John Milton’s epic poem ‘Paradise Lost.’
It had been many years since I’d last looked at this poem. It was like coming afresh to this monumental work of literature. At first I found the going a little tough, but the more I read the more intrigued I became. Over several days I actually read through the whole work. The lecturer and all of the other students in my tutorial group were most impressed. No-one else had read the entire work, including the lecturer. Several students chose to write their tutorial paper on this poem, but they only had to read and study a very small portion of several hundred lines.
I was so intrigued by this poem that I included it as one of the texts I referred to in my major essay. I was pleased with what I wrote in that essay but do not yet know my mark. I should receive the essay back next week.
Haiku #42: Raindrops
Raindrops on rooftops
And glistening fresh tree leaves
Are delights of spring.
© 2008 Trevor W. Hampel
All rights reserved.
Haiku #41: Heat
Heat haze shimmering
Over sun dried crisp dead grass.
Shady tree comforts.
© 2008 Trevor W. Hampel
All rights reserved.
Haiku #40: Ringneck Parrots
Ringneck Parrots clink
Their echoing flight through
Crisp dry mallee scrub.
(C) 2008 Trevor W. Hampel
All rights reserved.
Mallee Ringneck Parrot
Writing Poetry
One of the units I am currently studying for my Master of Arts course in Creative Writing includes writing poetry.
Since my teenage years I have often written poetry. Over the years I have written many hundreds of poems, many of dubious quality. Some of the better ones have been published in magazines. One was even a runner up in a poetry competition. (The prize was an extra copy of that issue.) So you could say I’ve always had a keen interest in writing poetry.
It was with eager anticipation then that I commenced the unit of study on writing poetry. This study has taught me several things.
- Some my earlier poems need a great deal of rewriting; they are truly appalling, especially those written in my teen years.
- The second thing I learned was that any poem, no matter how good, can probably do with at least some reworking, rewriting, editing, tightening or general improvement of some sort.
- The third thing I have learned is that I cannot afford to be too precious about my writing. Each poem we wrote was work-shopped in a tutorial group. This included reading the poem aloud and then getting constructive feedback from the group. It was so confronting yet very stimulating and helpful. At times I realised that I had not entirely grasped the exercise requirements. I learned quickly.
Having learned what I have about poetry this last term, I hesitate to make a link to the poetry pages on this blog, but if you are game you might want to read some of my poetry here.