W. H. Auden's "Musee des Beaux Arts"

[njh1974]

I know there are members out there interested in poetry.

 

I found this image of W. H. Auden's handwritten poem, which happens to be one of my favourites. Had I thought of it, I would have added this first line to the "favourites" topic.

 

Please, enjoy...

 

Nathan Hondros

[CasmiUK]

Apparently, when Auden was sending poems in for publication (before he'd ever been published), he decided that his handwriting wasn't good enough and a woman teaching in the school with him copied out his poems in a more readable hand.

 

Her name was Bea and she was the aunt of a family friend. A ring she wore all her life became my engagement ring, which I treasure.

 

Since the ring has been dated to the 19 teens......it may actually have met Auden!

[njh1974]

Apparently, when Auden was sending poems in for publication (before he'd ever been published), he decided that his handwriting wasn't good enough and a woman teaching in the school with him copied out his poems in a more readable hand.

 

Her name was Bea and she was the aunt of a family friend. A ring she wore all her life became my engagement ring, which I treasure.

 

Since the ring has been dated to the 19 teens......it may actually have met Auden!

 

What a wonderful story! I think Auden is fascinating and I love the fact that his handwriting is as barely readable as mine...

 

...and your engagement ring. Absolutely, what a treasure.

 

Nathan Hondros

[jbn10161]

Nathan, thanks for sharing that poem. It's amazing how much of Auden seems fresh. That poem has a style not unlike some I've read that were written within the last year.

[J English Smith]

One of my favorite poems. Thanks for sharing this!

 

I really need to get our my Complete and read him again...

[Kelly]

Thanks for posting this - great to see it. I had no idea his handwriting was as infinitesimal as my own - fab poem, too

[PenTieRun]

Thanks for a poetry moment, Nathan. Auden is one of those poets whom I always wish to read more often, but then my mind gets sidetracked with other poetry, novels, etc. A topical poem for our current attitude toward avoiding the dreaded process of "offending someone" would be Auden's "The Unknown Citizen." Boy, I hope I have the title right.

[artaddict]

Apparently, when Auden was sending poems in for publication (before he'd ever been published), he decided that his handwriting wasn't good enough and a woman teaching in the school with him copied out his poems in a more readable hand.

 

Her name was Bea and she was the aunt of a family friend. A ring she wore all her life became my engagement ring, which I treasure.

 

Since the ring has been dated to the 19 teens......it may actually have met Auden!

 

Wow! How great for your engagement ring to have such history!

[evelyngiron]

I know there are members out there interested in poetry.

 

I found this image of W. H. Auden's handwritten poem, which happens to be one of my favourites. Had I thought of it, I would have added this first line to the "favourites" topic.

 

Please, enjoy...

Nathan Hondros

Just to thank you for the handwritten poem! Since I teach it to my 11th graders it's much appreciated.

 

 

[ethernautrix]

This is one of my favorite poems, ever.