Songs of Innocence and Songs of Experience

     A couple weeks ago in my British Literature class we were assigned to read the poems of Romanticism poet, William Blake, and then to create our own poetry based off of his work. My teacher allowed me to borrow a copy of Blake's Songs of Innocence and of Experience, and after reading every poem found within its pages I was inspired to create the pieces I've included below. 

     William Blake's poetry from this collection I would describe as before and after shots. One poem would depict a sensation of innocence, or an absence of knowledge, while the second poem would show a revelation of sorts. In Blake's poem Infant Joy he starts by writing as a baby who only two days old, and is completely new to the world and is excited to be alive. However, in Blake's follow up poem Infant Sorrow a realization has occurred that life isn't always joyful.

I tried to capture this innocence to realization in the poems I wrote titled Night Terror and Awake, which starts by depicting an individual being chased only later to have a realization that it was all only a dream:

                          Night Terror                                                        

                I'm running through darkness.

                          Where did he go? 

William Blake, poet of the Romantic Age.

  I can't catch my breath.     

       Where did he go?        

I hide behind a tree.

I can hear him chasing me.

I hold my breath.

I hear him stop.

The silence grows loud.

Where did he go?

I go out to look, but he's gone.

Where did he go?

I turn around, but I'm alone.

Where did he go?

I turn back and I scream.

Awake

My body jolts.

Where did he go?

I'm in my bed.

Where did he go?

He was just in front of me,

smiling like a devil...

                      We were in the woods.

                   Impossible – it wasn't real.

                             I'm in my bed.

                          Where did he go?

                              He isn't real.

                          Where did he go?

                     He was just in my head.

                          Where did he go?

                         It was just a dream.

This Star Won't Go Out

     It was about 4 o'clock in the morning on a Tuesday and I was watching a vlogbrothers video. John Green was discussing "warm things" when all of a sudden he brought up the topic of a girl named Esther Earl.

     Now, I am familiar with Esther Earl and the This Star Won't Go Out Foundation, but what John Green brought up was something I had no idea about:


     Esther Earl has a book coming out.

     Okay, so let's back up because I'm going to assume that most of you are unaware who I'm even talking about. Esther Earl was a 16-year-old girl who passed away a couple years ago from cancer. Before passing away however, I and many fellow YouTube watchers were able to meet and get to know Esther through her YouTube channel and videos (which if any of you are interested in checking out, I'll link here).

     It was Esther's dream to become a published author, and now she has an book upcoming book titled:

         This Star Won't Go Out 

     She was such an inspiring girl, and I am so happy to have gotten to know her through her channel, and I look forward so much to getting to know her through her upcoming book (with an introduction written by John Green himself nonetheless). I hope that you all go out and buy a copy when it comes out on January 28th, or you can pre-order it on Amazon.

     Also on February 1st there will be a book release celebration outside of Boston that I will be attending, and for more information on that click here. 

Rest in awesome, Esther.
And congratulations, you are officially a published author!

The "Rory Gilmore Complex"

     Anyone who has ever seen an episode of Gilmore Girls knows that Rory Gilmore is the walking definition of a bookworm. That being said, I believe that she is the individual that all readers should aspire to be, and that I aspire to be myself. 

     I however do not share the dedication to reading that Miss Gilmore possesses. I procrastinate, I go on tumblr, I watch episodes of Gilmore Girls feeling envious that a girl my age can read as much as Rory reads. I do however want to have this dedication and "Rory Gilmore Complex".

     My shelves are filled to the brim with unread books that I have collected throughout the years at book stores and library sales, and this accumulation is only getting bigger. It's like an addiction without the payoff of the high, and each book is kept around for a rainy day, but it's like I live in a desert. Analogies are hard, okay? So what should I do? How do I beat this drought and greet the storm? 

I embrace my inner Rory Gilmore, 

and I READ.

      But reading isn't always that simple. You get bored, you'd rather be doing other things, there's a Gilmore Girls marathon on ABC Family that looks very appealing. 

     Here are a few ways I think could help anyone read more books per year:

1. Audio books can be your best friend. 

2. Read during breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

3. Read at school when you're in between classes.

4. Set reading goals.

5. If you're not doing anything --- READ.

     If you still need inspiration to help you achieve the "Rory Gilmore Complex" click here and read this article that lists additional ways to start reading more.

     Finally, to wrap this all up I'd like to introduce the "Rory Gilmore Book Challenge". I've undertaken it, and have the book list printed out and plastered on my bedroom wall as a reminder. Click here to check it out.

Happy reading!