For a Man's Readiness

...just a quote from a book but worth reading.

Q: "Why do you live on the bank of a river?"

A: "Because a poem is a revelation, and it is by the brink of running water that poetry is revealed to the mind."

Q: "How long have you been here?"

A: "Seven years," the poet answered.

"It is a long time," said wondering Fionn.

"I would wait twice as long for a poem," said the inveterate bard.

Q: "Have you caught good poems?"

A: "The poems I am fit for," said the mild master. "No person can get more than that, for a man's readiness is his limit."

Author's Note

1. Excerpt from, "Irish Fairy Tales", The Boyhood of Fionn, Chapter IX, by James Stephens.
2. Fionn [pronounce Fewn to rhyme with "tune"].

Reviews

[h d e rushin]

And how important is poetry today in the lives of all who inhabit this earth. "Readiness" as an
earthly virtue, as a distant wandering, as a song marching in a parade. That same nobility
when lost in it's strain, slays us.

Thanks for sharing.
dana

[Pryde Foltz]

Q: "Have you caught good poems?"
A: "The poems I am fit for," said the mild master. "No person can get more than that, for a man's readiness is his limit."

Not just poems … I should think. Ole wise one.

[Tam Warink]

Yes, Pryde, perhaps in more things than just poems can we get no more than what we are ready for. Something in the universe sees to it and it's probably just as well. Can you imagine? Have you ever encountered things that you weren't ready for? Me too. Thanks for reading and how're you doing?

[Pryde Foltz]

I just sent you an email. Busy here, a day or so a way from getting a paperback edition of the Wisp ready on Amazon and then comes the promotion.

[Tam Warink]

Awesome! :)

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thanks for sharing, Tam...yes, we are always ready for the poem to come, sort of like fishing on the bank waiting for the bite.

[Tam Warink]

Yes, very true Jacob and these words are older than both of us. I doubt they have been read in many a year. Thank you for doing so! I believe the author would be delighted.

[Frieda P]

Ahhh wise man...I would wait by rushing water forever and a day for a fine poem....sweet read Tam. Thanks for sharing this one my friend. Ready when you are...

[Tam Warink]

Hello, Frieda! Wow, you are quick and pouncy tonight. :) Thanks a bunch for checking this out. There is just soooo much good stuff in the stacks. It seems awful to not share when those little silver bells tinkle... so marvelous. If other poets don't remember them and hold their work up to others then who will?

[Frieda P]

We're leaving that job up to you my dear...I had a rough day, so poetry is renewing my spirit tonight, can't enough of the stuff. ;-)

[Tam Warink]

Oh, my... sorry it was a rough day. I'm glad the poetry here is renewing you. I'll imagine starry arms holding you close. Perhaps it will help some.

[Frieda P]

Aww you're sweet Tam, thanks so much...better now.