This is what I believe

This is what I believe:
That I am I.
That my soul is a dark forest.
That my known self will never be more than a little clearing in that forest.
That gods, strange gods, come forth from the forest into the clearing of my known self, then go back.
That I must have the courage to let them come and go.
That I must never let mankind put anything over me,
but that I will always try to recognize and submit
to the gods in me and the gods in other men and women.
There is my creed.

– DH Lawrence

5 thoughts on “This is what I believe”

  1. I love getting these bits of poetry from your blog. Do you have any recommendations for poetry anthologies/collections that are good for a budding collection? I’m still a (flailing) newbie, seriously regretting not squeaking in at least one course in college amongst all the science back then. I’ve got a few Mary Oliver, Jane Kenyon and Wendell Berry and a few of the major standards already, but I’m looking for books that feature a broader slice of poets that I’m sure I’ve not even yet discovered. Any suggestions? Thanks!

  2. Hmmm. Garrison Keillor has actually curated a few editions (“Good Poems,” “Good Poems for Hard Times,” and there may be more) that I like. There’s also Best American Poetry each year. Caroline Kennedy actually has a book of poetry (maybe called She Walks in Beauty?) that happens to have some of my favorites. I’ll keep thinking, too. xoxo

  3. Thank you for sharing this list — I really do appreciate it. After commenting here, I actually found a book in my nightstand that I forgot that I had, and which supplied the readings for our wedding exactly eleven years ago: Poems That Touch the Heart. I’m hoping to revisit that and dig into the new ones you’ve suggested over the coming chilly months. Thanks!

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