Richard Wilbur - 'Love Calls Us to the Things of This World'

To listen to more of Richard Wilbur’s stories, go to the playlist: • Richard Wilbur (Poet)
Acclaimed US poet Richard Wilbur (1921-2017) was the second US Poet Laureate and twice received the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry, in 1957 and 1989. Educated at Harvard University, he also served in the Army during World War II.

[@TroisLuma]

I love this great and simple poem.

[@gregdecker3518]

r.i.p. magnificent Richard Wilbur. Consummate poetry, and a man of humor, depth, humility.

[@shirleyjhaney1041]

Funny and self effacing in a charming way he is ❤

[@maryharwellsayler818]

Although I have a half-dozen bookshelves chocked beyond full of poetry anthologies and books by poets whose work I admire, this poem ranks high in my "read it again" list.

[@Thewonderingminds]

+Mary Harwell Sayler The unsensibility of belief A soul sensed, that is Christ, divine love flow amidst of life, in life’s impatience to let grow, discern the soul’s heartly glow. Real Christ, one’s soul sensed, love most refined, self earned, beyond, any man can describe, sense is a must, also for scribe. Love words are mere symbols, deeds are quality love goals, Christ’s love quality, is ideal, the sole eternal cosmic deal. Samaritarian loving care, love’s stem, off life’s flare, now life Christ-hood, to live, no empty love words to give. Soul unsensed, is dry heart, dries even the super smart, love, is sought quality might, the mightest quality is Christ. Ellymeu

[@UncleDansVintageVinyl]

This is, I believe, one of the finest poems of the twentieth century--or, indeed, of all time. The poem is incredibly rich in its allusions, yet it is also simply beautiful. This and Roethke's "The Waking" are, to my mind, the two greatest poems by American poets after World War II.

[@GiveAndTakeJugglers]

Yes, this is a finely crafted poem, rich in allusion and full images of motion. I committed it to memory and used it to recite to an audience as I walked on a tight wire. I am fond of Roethke but do not know The Waking. I will look it up. Thanks.

[@AlexanderMoore-q1w]

I remember this poem and I knew exactly what it was about even though I only read it twice . It's amazing and one of my favorites I guess

[@mariarusnak4160]

I am writing a short paper on it and I love it

[@ranashair2312]

Amazing I like your poetry and techniques of poetry

[@seth5776]

2020 anyone?

[@TheFloridaBikeVlogger]

king sent me!

[@rogercarroll2551]

Wilbur created REAL poetry; there is none being written now: 2021

[@JeffRebornNow]

Oh, I bet there is good poetry being written now, Roger. Whether it is being published is another matter.

[@nathancamp6883]

You're right, of course. No real poetry has been published since 1956. It all stopped suddenly, mysteriously. Everything since is fake poetry, the Potemkin villages of versification. Care to enlighten us about the ontology of poetry? What does make a poem REAL, exactly?

[@TroisLuma]

Untrue, you just need to look hard - there is a great deal of it.

[@matthewstokes1608]

I write real poetry

[@rogercarroll2551]

@@matthewstokes1608 As I do also, or certainly I make that my aim.

[@cece3630]

0:40

[@lurnt]

I am looking for more poetry would you be willing to recommend some? It is a bit hard to find. I am looking for the actual poet reciting their poetry. I am mostly trying to think about getting better at reading my own. I really enjoy Charles Bukowski and Richard Hugo in terms of reading. James Wright is also wonderful. I was hoping for post world war II

[@rukeyser]

If you like this, Roethke.