Fragment 8: Thicker than rain-drops on November thorn (Samuel Taylor Coleridge)

Why this "poem's" title is actually longer than the thing itself! While the Poetry Foundation classed it as a poem, I wonder if the poet did himself.

Can there be a one-line poem? This one line has interesting language, is descriptive, sets a mood and causes me to wonder what is being referred to (thicker than what?). I suppose that all could be said to be enough. I do, however, think it needs more of a framework to be considered a true poem. While, as in William Carlos Williams' earlier poem, some work should be required of the reader, this poem takes that to an extreme. Too much so, I think.

What do you think?

Favorite (bit of the) line: "November thorn"

Sonnet: On Receiving a Letter Informing Me of the Birth of a Son (Samuel Taylor Coleridge)

Sonnet: On Receiving a Letter Informing Me of the Birth of a Son by Samuel Taylor Coleridge

Obviously, from the title, this is a sonnet. It's 14 lines and rhymes, but it's not the sonnet I'm most familiar with (Shakespearean) since the rhymes are patterned differently.

Can I bring my modern sensibilities to this 1700s/1800s poem and think less of the father - that he doesn't know his kid is born until he gets a letter about it. Let's pretend he's off to war and a letter is the only way to tell him the news. Yes, let's go with that.

His response to the news is conflicted. He's very torn up over it, it seems and instantly turns to prayer. Doesn't sound like praise though. I don't get the sense that he's happy (as he prays, he "inly felt/No heavenly visitation upwards draw/My feeble mind, nor cheering ray impart.").

Perhaps he's just overwhelmed and being honest. He first turns to prayer, but is too overwhelmed with emotion; he cannot make a spiritual connection. He is later (in writing the poem) better able to communicate and prays again. This time he is able to get out his wish for his son's redemption.

Favorite line: "inly felt"

What Is an Epigram? (Samuel Tayler Coleridge)

Oho! I just posted that other poem/epigram about parsley and now this! If you need a pithy definition of the word, look no farther than this poem by Samuel Taylor Coleridge. 

I look at the poem and want to edit it, however. Since the title is repeated in the poem itself, it seems to not fulfill the given definition of an epigram. It could be made even more brief and still retain the message.

Favorite line: "wit its soul"

wit its soulw

Answer to a Child's Question (Samuel Taylor Coleridge)

Ha! and man, will lovers never tire of talking about anything but themselves?? I mean, yes, yes, this poem by Sam C. could be about a nice spring day or even Valentine's. But, what I first thought of after reading it was that N is just tired/fed up with lovers' inane talk concerning themselves.

Maybe I'm just hoping for and feeling out a comic note in what would be an ordinary 19th century short poem on Nature. Who knows? I see that too, but I prefer thinking that Coleridge is putting a smack-down on the neighborhood lovebirds.

Favorite line: "But green leaves, and blossoms, and sunny warm weather,/And singing, and loving—all come back together."

A Christmas Carol (Samuel Taylor Coleridge)

I don't really have the time to write post tonight. I'm going to cheat. It's not quite Christmas, but it is close enough. Only eight days to go. Let's all gather round to hear the tale of Christmases long ago: A Christmas Carol.

Favorite line: "Joy rises in me, like a summer's morn"