Imagine

From today’s massive, subversive and powerfully creative world of the Beats and beyond which artist and/or writer inspired you most? Which unresolved question did they bring to stir your imagination? Which innovation in language, an image most struck your sense of what was powerful and new.

I have been a massive fan of The Beatles. The Beatles may have hit Nepal some off 30 years late, but I grew up listening to them. I still do listen to them; their songs soothe me and help me focus. Whenever I am anxious or my mind is wandering off, I listen to them. One of the things that have surprised me the most is connecting one of my favourite artists to a movement. And it is indeed amazing how perfectly it fits.

Artists are usually considered to be trendsetters but you take for granted how much of an impact they can have on the whole generations. One of the songs I would like to put forward is Imagine by John Lennon. Although this is not a Beatles song, John Lennon was one of the popular members of the group is accredited to have written many of their songs.

In this song, Lennon asks us to imagine how it would be to live life for now and not for what would happen in the later life. Imagine a world, where you are not governed by a religion, or a country state. Although it may sound too general, this is basically the post-modernist agenda. And this completely baffles me because I’ve listened to this song a million times without questioning the agenda of this song.

It is absolutely amazing, the things that you discover once you start connecting the dots.

 

Wisdom

Do you share Robert Frost’s belief that “A poem begins in delight and ends in wisdom…it runs a course of lucky events, and ends in a clarification of life.” “The Figure a Poem Makes” (250-251)? If possible try to explain in your own words what you understand by this statement. Can you give an example of a poem you have read that does just this?

I find poems an indulgence. I don’t usually think of poems when I think about studying literature to find wisdom. The first ones that come to my mind are novels, essays, plays and maybe then poems. I do share Robert Frost’s belief that “A poem begins in delight and ends in wisdom…it runs a course of lucky events, and ends in a clarification of life.” “The Figure a Poem Makes” (250-251). Every poem I’ve read has been as a form of pleasure, and every poem that I’ve read has left me with a little bit of wisdom that I would’ve never thought of. One nof these poem’s that I have read that does this is a poem by Rupi Kaur, published in her book, Milk and honey.

This poem gives me so much strength every time I read it. It reminds me of all the things that I’ve gone through on my own and how much stronger I’ve emerged after every experience. And I don’t think this wisdom can be passed on by any novel, book, or essay as beautifully as it has been portrayed by this short poem.

Runaways

 

It is so exciting to be here on this boat. Who would’ve thought that I would end up helping Jim run away! After all the troubles I’ve caused him I guess this is the least I could do. But what an opportunity to go down the Mississipi river. I’ve always wanted to but I would have never imagined that it would be under these circumstances. I wish this trip will never end! Although I am helping Jim and Huck, I do want to stay on this boat forever, just flowing with the river. I want to become one with the river. The river is me and I am the river. It’s amazing how nature works, how the river is flowing, how it goes from night to day and day to night. You don’t think about these things on land; there is always more to do on land than on the river. When you don’t have those things to worry about you start seeing all these things. Like how bright the moon glows at night, how beautiful the stars are as you’re moving along the river. It’s breathtaking. I’m glad I decided to tag along with Huck and Jim.

Clarity

“I have always been regretting that I was not as wise as the day I was born. Not having the clear mind unobstructed by opinions and criticisms. My actions pure and unmonitored. Every action I have today, I question myself. Is it me who is making these decisions? Are these my actions that I execute? Do I even know myself anymore?

I try to remember; a time when my actions weren’t doctored by a mind that was molded by society and the people that surround me. Do I even recognize my actions anymore? Have I lost myself trying to please others? Everything seems such a blur, my actions are led by interior motives and I am left seeking a purpose. A purpose other than to please people.