And So, We Commence

Hello everyone!  Happy Friday!  It is with dear sadness that I write this last post.  The class that this blog project pertains to is nearing its end, and my final post is due today.  In this class, I have enjoyed learning about how to write effectively for the Internet and how technology has shaped and continues to shape the way we write today.  However, the thing that I have enjoyed the most in this class, is writing for this blog.  My idea for this blog erupted from a combination of my passion for poetry and my quirky habit of contemplating about life and formulating my own theories as to why things are the way they are.  Beginning this blog, I realized that I had to narrow the scope of “life,” as life can include a multitude of topics.  Therefore, to do this, I chose to focus only on poetry written by contemporary women writers.  I must admit that I was rather reluctant to do this, primarily because I was unfamiliar with much of the work of contemporary women poets, and also because many of my personal favorite poems did not fall within this scope.  However, reaching this point and looking back, I am delighted that I decided to get out of my comfort zone and go for the challenge; for I have came across beautifully rich poetry and talented poets that I may not have encountered had I taken a different route.    

One of my goals for this blog was to write about various life issues.  I do not know if I have succeeded in doing that.  Although the poems that I selected may have varied widely in theme, I think that my interpretations of these poems were usually quite similar: they often exhibited therapeutic qualities and frequently alluded to following dreams and accomplishing goals, finding ways to remain optimistic in daunting situations, and finding pride in being an individual.  Re-reading my posts, I realize that my interpretations may have been a reflection of me in my current stage in life: I will be graduating from college in a few weeks, and it wouldn’t be an overstatement to say that my mind has been recently preoccupied with the issues of following my dreams, reaching my goals, overcoming steep obstacles, and placing the finishing touches on who I define myself as an individual.    

I must admit that maintaining this blog was indeed a challenge.  As the school semester progressed and as my amount of class work gradually increased, I found it more difficult to find time to submit posts.  Again, I apologize for those long periods of inactivity.  Nevertheless, during the periods that I did have time to submit posts, I feel that my posts helped me to refine some of my theories regarding life and drew my attention to topics that I hadn’t previously given much thought.  By far, my most favorite post is “Keep Following Your Dreams.”     

Although one can make an argument that my blog has essentially been a reflection of me, my desires, and what I deem valuable, I hope that you were able to find some of the selected poems and commentaries applicable to your own lives.  However, if not, I hope that you at least have enjoyed reading the poems and reading what I had to say about them. 

Furthermore, I hope that this blog has given you the opportunity to view poetry in a different light.  I hope you can see that there’s more to poems than just analyzing them according to their literary devices.  Poems can enhance our understanding of life, especially when they are viewed holistically.  If you had not known this before reading this blog, then I hope that I have convinced you to think differently about poetry from now on.  Poetry can essentially be fun, even for the non-poetry lovers! 

Lastly, I would like to thank all of you have who have followed this blog, read my posts, and left comments.  Your willingness to dedicate your time in reviewing and commenting on my work has meant so much to me.  I wish you all the best and much success in continuing life and learning its lessons.  However, before we part, I would like to leave you with a poem entitled “New Beginnings” written by Gertrude McClain.  I found the poem inspiring.  Hopefully, you will find the poem inspiring as well.  The poem reads:

New Beginnings by Gertrude B. McClain

It's only the beginning now
...a pathway yet unknown
At times the sound of other steps
...sometimes we walk alone

The best beginnings of our lives
May sometimes end in sorrow
But even on our darkest days
The sun will shine tomorrow.

So we must do our very best
Whatever life may bring
And look beyond the winter chill
To smell the breath of spring.

Into each life will always come
A time to start anew
A new beginning for each heart
As fresh as morning dew.

Although the cares of life are great
And hands are bowed so low
The storms of life will leave behind
The wonder of a rainbow.

The years will never take away
Our chance to start anew
It's only the beginning now
So dreams can still come true.

I hope you enjoyed the poem.  However, this time, instead of me giving my commentary, why don’t you try formulating your own?  What do you think the poem could teach us?


To read more poems written by contemporary women poets, please visit Contemporary Women Poets.