Robert Graves... Another Favorite

This is Robert Graves. I think he's a very interesting poet because of his habit of writing from his pain, and the things he feared. Robert Graves is also famous for his love poetry, and his tribute to his muse - the White Goddess.

As far as this guy's morals go? Hmmm... not so impressed. His first wife agreed with him to invite a woman to come live with them to be an intellectual/artistic stimulus to him, and a womanly friend, and one to help with the children for her. Does anyone else see a potential problem with this? Well, soon he and the invitee became lovers and moved away from his wife and four children. So... see what I mean?

He was reported as having been killed in the first World War, but obviously lived through it. He spent many years dealing with shell shock and post traumatic stress syndrome, and some of his darkest poetry is about the things he saw while serving in the trenches. He was only a heart beat away from the war at any given time, and he used this pain and fear to generate some of his best work.

The poem I am going to share with you today is light, and it's a message to poets. It's called "A Pinch Of Salt."

A Pinch of Salt

When a dream is born in you
With a sudden clamorous pain,
When you know the dream is true
And lovely, with no flaw nor stain,
O then, be careful, or with sudden clutch
You'll hurt the delicate thing you prize so much.

Dreams are like a bird that mocks,
Flirting the feathers of his tail.
When you seize at the salt-box,
Over the hedge you'll see him sail.
Old birds are neither caught with salt nor chaff:
They watch you from the apple bough and laugh.

Poet, never chase the dream.
Laugh yourself, and turn away.
Mask your hunger; let it seem
Small matter if he come or stay;
But when he nestles in your hand at last,
Close up your fingers tight and hold him fast.

Robert Graves

I like it... good advice!