0091 The Scholar - A Dutch Portrait Poem by Michael Shepherd

The poem has music and depth of meaning. It is a portrait well painted in words. Keep up the good work!

I remember reading this poem called The Scholar by Robert Southey. Its quite different from your poem, but the thing abt lasting long and being relevant for future generations are mentioned there as well. 'My hopes are with the Dead; anon My place with them will be, And I with them shall travel on Through all Futurity; Yet leaving here a name, I trust, That will not perish in the dust. '

I know...Now I get it! Art outlives its creator for sure so a scholar's wisdom must be rightfully passed down to posterity and live long. And please, forgive me if I am a bit slow with catching up on meanings. I am new to poetry reading and have written more than what I have read... Frankly speaking I find it easier to write poetry than read them. It is like entering the mind of another-an unknown and unfamiliar realm. Would be nice if you could give me some tips on how to read a poem, pls.! !

Yes, V V - but he's distilling the essence of past wisdom with discrimination, to pass it on to future generations - that what scholarship should be about? Don't poets, too, hope for this, beyond the acclaim of their peers?

Reading this, the lines of Keats came to my mind.. 'Heard melodies are sweet but those unheard are sweeter.' If your poem is inspired by some portrait, then you must sure be another Keats to conjure up the image of a scholar in his study so well. I liked the expression of the hourglass. Brilliantly employed! And yes mortal, because all bookish knowledge have their purposes only on earth. It is time-bound for sure.