Open Link Monday

Welcome to the Imaginary Garden ...

photo credit: BluePrince Architectural via photopin cc

“To do the useful thing, to say the courageous thing, to contemplate the beautiful thing: that is enough for one man's life.” ― T.S. Eliot, The Use of Poetry and the Use of Criticism

As we begin the third week of NaPoWriMo, I am struck by what an onerous task it is to be a poet - in any age, but especially in our own. I'm sure every poet that has ever lived has felt the same: the weight of responsibility to speak to his or her generation. I so often read poetry on the blogs which tackle the difficult subjects of our age, the uncomfortable truths, the falsehoods perpetuated by authoritarians, the ugly realities that have come to be acceptable in modern society. Yet, somehow, the poets among us must find the balance and portray the harmony, beauty and make us believe that a pursuit of an ideal is still a worthwhile activity. I applaud every one, who finds it in them to pick up the pen once more (or opens a computer document) and begins to fill the page with words.

We write so that we may record our thoughts, but also in the hope that others will read and contemplate this life we share from a new angle. This is one of the reasons why I believe that communal blogsites such as this one, are vitally important in creating the connection between poet and reader, as well as providing a metting place for writers. Our Open Link affords us all the opportunity to share, comment and to be inspired by the power of poetry.