More Than One Way (Prose Poem)

I never seem to understand this feeling. Even with experience, I don't understand.
Every time I encounter it, I feel like I'm in a new world full of mysteries. Almost like traveling in the depths of the unknown blue oceans.
Happiness always seems to tag along with this unexplainable motion.
Yet you go through a process of several emotions just by being with one person.
When you ask somebody what is happening?
They all give you the same response. But asking for the meaning, you get a different results.
Your mind then starts swirling like a tornado trying to solve the puzzle in order to continue this feeling.
Not only does this feeling bring happiness, it also brings pleasures and subsides the lonely feeling inside.
Some might say that this feeling so powerful that nothing can bring you down.
Its so powerful that nothing seems important but them.
You start losing focus and what really matters.
Although just like anything else, there's a dark side.
When this feeling can no longer continue, all hope seems to be lost.
The loneliness then re-steps to your soul. Its almost as if the world has stopped moving.
You asked yourself what went wrong?
No one seems to know the answer.
That's when you hear the winds roaring your name and the sun beaming at you.
Suddenly you feel refreshment entering your mind and body as if your smelling a mint flower during spring.
You finally realize that stepping out of your world and entering the untainted world outside, you see things clearly.
You starting feeling happiness refill you like crystal clear water rushing into a dried out river.
And for the first time, you notice the force of nature and its beauty.
Who knew that love wasn't the only thing that brought all this excitement in you.

-Dulce Roque

Shelley's Early Life

Percy Bysshe Shelley was born in 1792, the sixth of six children to a prominent and wealthy English family. Growing up, Shelley was tutored and taught at home by Rev. Even Edwards, who not only educated young Shelley but taught him the religion of Christianity as well. In 1804, Shelley left the comfort of his home and headed to Elton College. Shelley not only did horribly at Elton, but was tormented and ridiculed by his classmates daily. Due to the tormenting of his fellow class-mates, Percy Shelley soon left Elton college, and became a student at the prominent school, Oxford (1810). While attending Oxford, Shelley published his first piece of literature, a Gothic novel, Zastrozzi.(This novel was actually written when Shelley was just seventeen years old, attending Elton College, but was not published until his attendance at Oxford.) This novel touched upon the subjects of selfishness, revenge, and self-indulgence. This early Shelley novel got favorable reviews, but was not immensely well-known within the literary world. Following 1810, Shelley wrote the highly debated pamphlet named The Nessecity of Atheism. Despite his christian up bringing, this piece of work criticized the religoious world and stated that one's beliefs are involuntary; therefore, atheists should not be persecuted for not believe in God. The writings in the pamphlet were so controversial and frowned upon, that the Necesscity of Atheism immediately caught the attention of Oxford staff. Soon after publication, Shelley was called to appear in front of several Oxford staff, including the current dean, George Rowley. Shelley refused to recant his statements; therefore, resulting in his expulsion from Oxford University on March 25, 1811 ( fellow writer Thomas Jefferson Hogg was also expelled due to involvement.)Due to the prominence of Shelley's father, Sir Timothy Shelley, Percy was told he could enroll once more at Oxford if he agreed to withdraw his statements. Sticking to his beliefs and thoughts, he refused, permanently expelling him from the University and creating a falling-out with his Father. This rebellious act set way for Percy Shelley's outrageous and controversial poetry, which along with other well known poets (William Blake, Lord Byron, William Wordsworth etc..) inspired the genre of poetry we now call Romanticism.

- Kailee Phillips

Time Long Past

Like the ghost of a dear friend dead
Is Time long past.
A tone which is now forever fled,
A hope which is now forever past,
A love so sweet it could not last,
Was Time long past.

There were sweet dreams in the night
Of Time long past:
And, was it sadness or delight,
Each day a shadow onward cast
Which made us wish it yet might last-
That Time long past

There is regret, almost remorse
For Time long past.
'Tis like a child's beloved corse
A father watches, till at last
Beauty is like remembrance, cast
From Time long past.

As the title suggest "time long past" we know this is going to be the theme of the poem because it continuous repeats itself through out the poem. In the first paragraph it basically talks about how things can't always last forever, no matter how much we want it to. Shelley also uses these keywords: forever and death, which both mean something of the past and they can't ever return to the present time. Once he includes "a love so sweet it could not last," Shelley explains about his own experiences. But in this part he's talking about his relationship that seemed to be perfect at the time. Afterwards Shelley starts talking about sadness or delight in the second paragraph, this tells us that Shelley experienced something terrible that made him wish it could be part of the past. At the end of this paragraph, it teaches us that the things in the past aren't always pleasant. There's at least something in the past we didn't wish for. As for the third paragraph, you indicate that Shelley feels bad because he wishes that he could relive some of those events even if they weren't the best. In contrast to that wish, there's nothing that can be done. Despite that I understand what Shelley is talking about and where his point of view is coming from, because I have moments in my life that I wish to relive; although its impossible unless there's a time machine. But further on this paragraph it starts mentioning small hints about Shelley's childhood past with his parents. Which is a common thing we experience with our parents as we grow up. Then it goes talking about beauty, which beauty does change as time passes by. The word "beauty" also suggests that it also belongs to the flow of time. After finally finishing the poem, it made me realize that the long past can be treasured, because those are memories that can't be relived, which Shelley clearly explains. In a way this poem is kind of saying to enjoy the things your doing now because they will eventually be part of the long past. A past that can't be changed. It also makes me feel grateful for all the events that occur in my life. From spending time with my family to meeting new people. Nobody knows what's going to happen in a couple years, but we sure can live it now. And when we look back on it, there won't be regret or remorse.

-Dulce Roque

Percy Shelley; A Closer Look

The video above was chosen by me because it provided many details about Percy Shelley. It included information about his life to the major things he has accomplished. In the beginning of the the video, many words start popping up. Which I think describe the writing style of Percy Shelley. Then it translate to one of his famous poems, "ozymandias." Although I don't know why this poem was chosen instead of his other works, I came to conclusion that it was chosen because it shows you what type of romantic poet Percy Shelley was. But as you pay more attention to the poem, you realize that the word "ozymandias" is another word for Ramesses the great. This also indicates that Shelley was interested in famous events or people in the past. Afterwards you get a more in depth knowledge about Shelley. From where he attended school to his personal relationships. Then the speaker reports to you how this famous romantic poet passed away at a young age. But once he passed away, it explains the impact that Shelley had on citizens. To me this shows what a great poet Percy Shelley was back in his day. And even though he's no longer here, his work is still being used to teach lessons. As you get further into the video, it starts describing how Shelley was buried and what they did with his heart. In the beginning I was shock because I never thought people would do such a thing; yet there was good purpose for doing such interesting action. In the video it tells you what Percy Shelley's heart symbolizes. And even though I find it odd, I think it will inspire new upcoming romantic poets. Not only does Shelley's heart represent something, Shelley himself also represents an artistic vision. Once it starts talking about this, he is now compared to William Blake. The speaker compares the different ideas that Blake and Shelley have about imagination and how religion inspires them. Religion is also a big topic that surrounds Shelley because he's idea about it are very complex. Which people thought he took many risks when he talked about atheism. At the end Shelley was very determine about his ideas about romanticism. Overall I think this video is great to view!

-Dulce Roque

"The Sensitive Plant"

Click Here to Open Poem

In Percy Shelly's, "The Sensitive Plant" Shelley has separated his poem into three separate parts and a conclusion. In the first part of the poem, Shelley portrays a wondrous, beautiful garden, full of life and luminosity. Shelley uses several realistic depictions of flowers and plants to provide the reader with a detailed insight into the garden. These stanzas full of details helped me picture the garden that Shelley so beautifully illustrated through his words and helped me understand what he was writing about. As part one continues, Shelley introduces a contradiction into the garden, The Sensitive Plant. Unlike the other flowers, this floweret is not vivid in color or shape, and lacks the beautiful odor flowers are characterized for. Percy Shelley goes on to say The Sensitive Plant

"loves, even like Love, its deep heart is full,
It desires what it has not, the Beautiful!"

(lines 76 and 77)

These two lines allowed The Sensitive Plant to take on a human like quality, envy to want what those surrounding you have. As the poem enters Part two, Shelley introduces a mother like woman into the picture. The woman was lovely, and took care of the garden as if it were her own children. This woman took the role as a mother like care-taker to the plants

" She lifted their heads with her tender hands,
And sustained them with rods and osier-bands;
If the flowers had been her own infants, she
Could never have nursed them more tenderly"

(lines 150-154)

She sustained life to the garden, helping them flourish and grow, and provided security to the plants, diminishing harmful insects that may harm her kin. The loving matriarch of the lush garden soon passes away as the season changes from Summer to Fall and the wind grows crisp, changing the leaves colors. The poem now continues onto Part three, where the garden is still flourishing for three days after their care-takers death. On the fourth day after her death, The Sensitive Plant hears the mourning of the humans passing by. The mourners pass through the garden, whose ground was once walked on lightly and with care, with heavy and slow foot steps. With the coming of winter and the loss of their mother, the garden takes a dramatic plunge towards death. The essence of the garden dwindles and no longer has an enchanting affect.

" The garden, once fair, became cold and foul,
Like the corpse of her who had been its soul,
Which at first was lovely as if in sleep,
Then slowly changed, till it grew a heap
To make men tremble who never weep. "

(Lines 191-195)

As the once beautiful plant life slowly fades away, many plants, that are often referred to as contrary to beautiful, start to invade the garden. Shelley uses plant species that are often frowned upon(fungi, mold, weeds) to symbolize death taking over in the garden. After the change from life to death, Shelley continues on to the conclusion. Shelley states that though the woman may not be there in mortal form; somewhere, her essence and soul continues to preside in the garden. At first glance, this poem may not be understood. At second glance, the poem may be thought of as an expression of human feelings. But when you look harder and longer this poem illustrates the human life cycle. In Part 1, Summer time depicts birth, lush life is everywhere and thriving. The woman in the poem indeed is like a mother, nurturing her young in the beginning of their lives. As the season changes, the care-taker dies, releasing the garden from her protection, and ultimately her security and safety. Just like a mother, the woman is no longer there to take care of the garden as she did in Spring and Summer time. Just like a child, the flowers struggle to survive independently. Winter symbolizes death, and the end of the garden, symbolizing the end of a life.

-Kailee Phillips

Percy Bysshe Shelley's The Moon

ND, like a dying lady lean and pale,

Who totters forth, wrapp'd in a gauzy veil,

Out of her chamber, led by the insane

And feeble wanderings of her fading brain,

The moon arose up in the murky east

A white and shapeless mass.

II.

Art thou pale for weariness

Of climbing heaven and gazing on the earth,

Wandering companionless

Among the stars that have a different birth,

And ever changing, like a joyless eye

That finds no object worth its constancy?

This video clip explains a little bit about Percy Shelley’s life and some of his greatest accomplishments. It also gives examples of his best work, such as "To a Skylark", "Ozymandias", and "The Revolt of Islam". The poem is comparing the moon's characteristics to an old dying woman. Shelley compares the moon's pale coloring to the color of the old woman’s skin tone. Stanza one says; who totters forth, wrapp'd in a gauzy veil.” Stanza three states; “And feeble wanderings of her fading brain,”A gauzy veil is representing a cloudy night. The veil is covering over the moon, making it unclear. Just like the woman’s brain is fading and is becoming uncertain. The moon is arising from the murky east. I believe that the murky East is representing the woman’s insanity. Murky is a good example to explain an unclear situation. I think that Shelley is trying to portray the moon in a human related way. Every night millions of human beings see the moon; large and bright in the sky. They do not know the moon’s true emotions. It lies in the starry night, with the other stars, but they all have different births, different destinies and a different purpose for why there were created. The poem mentions that that moon is lonely and companion less. The woman who is dying may be joyful because she is going on to a better life, but she is doing it alone. The fragile woman is talking on a new afterlife alone without her family. The feeling of loneliness is taking over. The moon is having the same emotions way every night. He is surrounded by his familiar stars, but they are not facing the same struggles. The moon is become weary and pale while it sits lonely in the million starry night. He can either gaze the beauties of heaven above, or view the hells of earth below him. His joyless eye is watching the changes of earth and the faithfulness of heaven. The moon and the dying women are extremely similar. Shelley is showing that even something so well known and strong, such as the moon, can feel as lonely and weak as a dying woman.

-Lauryn Hartung