The below is one of my favorite poems, it has tickled in the back of my mind ever since the first time I heard it. It was read by my favorite English teacher, Mr. Melchior. He taught a class on mythic patterns, with the primary focus being on the Hero’s Journey and the ideas of Joseph Campbell, Carl Jung and a book titled Women Who Run With The Wolves by Clarissa Estes. Looking back now, his class was part of what helped me to see beyond just the physical into the patterns and myths of life around us and what we create. Hope you enjoy the below poem as much as I do.
What I Expected
by Stephen Spender
What I expected, was
Thunder, fighting,
Long struggles with men
And climbing.
After continual straining
I should grow strong;
Then the rocks would shake,
And I rest long.
What I had not foreseen
Was the gradual day
Weakening the will
Leaking the brightness away,
The lack of good to touch,
The fading of body and soul
—Smoke before wind,
Corrupt, unsubstantial.
The wearing of Time,
And watching of cripples pass
With limbs shaped like questions
In their odd twist,
The pulverous grief
Melting the bones with pity,
The sick falling from earth—
These, I could not foresee.
Expecting always
Some brightness to hold in trust,
Some final innocence
Exempt from dust,
That, hanging solid,
Would dangle through all,
Like the created poem,
Or faceted crystal.
heh. this poem has always, as you say, tickled in the back of my mind as well. so today i googled it, randomly picked one of the links that popped up–this one. and there’s the poem, just as i remember it, from hearing it mr. melchoir’s mythic patterns class. what’re the odds?
That is pretty amazing, all things considered! Glad you were able to find it, it took me years to find the poem since I didn’t remember who wrote it. Hope his class has served you well over the years, I know it has kept me going on a good journey
Am glad you enjoyed the poem as much as I do! Thanks for commenting!
Great poem! Have a great day!
It is a wonderful poem. Thanks for sharing.