A Moment In Time
On Monday, March 28, 2005, the Introduction to Poetry 2110 class for 2004-2005 gathered in the darkened lecture hall to hear Professor Kuin read T.S. Eliot's, "The Four Quartets". For those who were not there, the moment, unknown and unnoticed, has gone.
For each person who was there, this reading was individually perceived, and yet, to my mind, there was an awesome sense alive in that room, of a group of people who would not leave in the same way they arrived. Forty minutes in a lifetime that will be remembered as rich, rewarding, and powerfully delivered does not seem like a lot, but the intensity of emotion and feeling for this piece of outstanding literature came through as Professor Kuin's rich voice breathed life into it. Breathing into the words, created far more than mere observation of words on pages could ever do.
The words: "Footfalls echo in the memory down the passage which we did not take towards the door we never opened into the rose-garden. My words echo thus, in your mind. But to what purpose disturbing the dust on a bowl of rose-leaves I do not know. " say much to both those present and those absent. The purpose unknown by us, may become known, and it is in the essense of this thought that there is some kernel of great possibility waiting to be discovered.
It was a wonderful way to end this year in this class, but more than ending this year, it was just one of those times in life when it felt good to be alive. Until I heard this group of poems, I had not known what a mark Eliot left on the world when he wrote this. I have, since hearing this, come to the conclusion that this, must be one of the most powerful pieces of literature of the century, and something I hope to read and re-read many times. I wonder if T.S. Eliot, in his lifetime truly knew this was that powerful.
For each person who was there, this reading was individually perceived, and yet, to my mind, there was an awesome sense alive in that room, of a group of people who would not leave in the same way they arrived. Forty minutes in a lifetime that will be remembered as rich, rewarding, and powerfully delivered does not seem like a lot, but the intensity of emotion and feeling for this piece of outstanding literature came through as Professor Kuin's rich voice breathed life into it. Breathing into the words, created far more than mere observation of words on pages could ever do.
The words: "Footfalls echo in the memory down the passage which we did not take towards the door we never opened into the rose-garden. My words echo thus, in your mind. But to what purpose disturbing the dust on a bowl of rose-leaves I do not know. " say much to both those present and those absent. The purpose unknown by us, may become known, and it is in the essense of this thought that there is some kernel of great possibility waiting to be discovered.
It was a wonderful way to end this year in this class, but more than ending this year, it was just one of those times in life when it felt good to be alive. Until I heard this group of poems, I had not known what a mark Eliot left on the world when he wrote this. I have, since hearing this, come to the conclusion that this, must be one of the most powerful pieces of literature of the century, and something I hope to read and re-read many times. I wonder if T.S. Eliot, in his lifetime truly knew this was that powerful.
posted by maggiesong at 11:15 AM
1 Comments:
Sidd....it has been a pleasure to be with you in classes for two years in a row now. I have truly enjoyed you, and I wish you the very best in your educational endeavours and in any other things of life that grab you and beg you to come along and find out what's around the next bend! Hugs!
Post a Comment
<< Home