One in seven billion.... I feel I am small. But I live, so therefore I must count for something? As we all do; we all give something of ourselves and receive in return. The vast majority of us will never been in the league of those who have advanced humanity onwards and upwards but do we have a voice and can contribute.
And, as the small tributary contributes to the larger river, so each of us donates something for the betterment of all. I have often spoken of the “shrinking, thinking class” and I am firmly convinced this is happening all over the world, and for us life becomes even more difficult as we are surrounded (yet alone) amongst so many. For us, Claude McKay has some tremendous words….
We, as he says, should delight in our being different, to accept the penalty of often being “on the outside looking in” and be prepared to be lonely in our understanding.
This doesn’t frighten me (nor you, I hope); I regard it as part of my “normal” life and am content, having no “what ifs” or “yes, buts”, firmly believing in the road on which I am travelling.
Claude McKay was an Afro-American who wrote beautiful verse; if you haven’t read him, I urge you to do so – it is well worth the time and effort.
Until next time (and outside looking in),
Peripatetic Scribe
A "gentle" blog, P.S. Nice to have a quote from a poet. It's often difficult to get children to a) read poetry and b) understand it. But his poetry is very different from that of what I could call "mainstream" poetry, and I feel that children could relate to it more. Thanks again.
ReplyDeleteSo delighted you read McKay and you find much to understand in his words. I am a distant relative of his, so what you write and how you write it gives me great pleasure. Hannah McK
ReplyDeleteThanks Anonymous. I know what you mean about children - they think verse is "for the old people" but are missing out on a lot of very stimulating material. McKay has a lot to offer as he writes in a way that individuals of any age can relate to it.
ReplyDeleteHannah - I am delighted by your reply. To hear your words as a relative is great for me; I find much of what he wrote to be read on various levels - not just the words. He was one of my "shrinking, thinking class" and I enjoy his writing very much.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful! There is a Croatian poet A.B.Šimić who wrote amazing poetry, as well. In one of his poems, which I always remember, he wrote about each of us being just a tiny, but an extremely important drop (poetry sounds silly when retold). Sadly, the thinking class is shrinking, but it must never cease to exist!
ReplyDeleteLucana
Thank you Lucana. I haven't read Šimić but he sounds interesting. Will try to find a copy of his works. Thanks.
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