Summary

The website content features a celebration of Bliss Carman's poem "Winter Streams," accompanied by Susan Alison's painting "Morning Flight," and provides insights into Carman's life as a poet, emphasizing the joy and art found in his work.

Abstract

The webpage presents a poetic and artistic exploration of nature through Bliss Carman's poem "Winter Streams," which is complemented by Susan Alison's painting titled "Morning Flight." The text delves into Carman's reputation as a renowned Canadian poet who made a living through his poetry and writing, having published over fifty books. It highlights his ability to convey the beauty of nature in a way that is both accessible and enjoyable to readers. The article also includes a personal reflection on the rejuvenating effect of reading classic poetry, particularly Carman's work, which resonates with the author's own creative process. Additionally, the page provides links to more of Carman's poetry and Susan Alison's artwork, as well as information on the proper use of public domain material.

Opinions

The author expresses a preference for Bliss Carman's poetry, particularly appreciating its clarity and connection to nature.
There is a noted enjoyment in the rhythm and melody of Carman's poems, which the author finds lacking in some classic poems.
The author endorses the idea that engaging in tasks that allow for personal expression can transform labor into joy and art, as reflected in a quote by Carman.
The author values the inspirational impact of classic poetry on their own creativity, suggesting that exposure to different eras and mindsets enriches one's artistic perspective.
The author emphasizes the importance of understanding the legalities of using other people's work, providing a link to an informative article on the subject.

CREATIVE REFRESHMENT

‘Winter Streams’ by Bliss Carman

‘Morning Flight’ — painting by Susan Alison

‘Winter Streams’

Now the little rivers go Muffled safely under snow,

And the winding meadow streams Murmur in their wintry dreams,

While a tinkling music wells Faintly from their icy bells,

Telling how their hearts are bold Though the very sun be cold.

Ah, but wait until the rain Comes a-sighing once again,

Sweeping softly from the Sound Over ridge and meadow ground!

Then the little streams will hear April calling far and near, —

Slip their snowy bands and run Sparkling in the welcome sun.

Bliss Carman was a Canadian poet, although he lived most of his life in the US. He was well-known in the Western world, and well-thought-of, both as a poet and as a person.

Unusually, he made most of his living from his poetry. Sometimes he took on other assignments, as well, as is so often the case with all kinds of artist, but they were always jobs that involved the written word.

He wrote more than fifty books of poetry!

In 1904, Francis Thompson, an English poet, described Bliss Carman as, “a Canadian poet of deserved repute this side of the water, with a lusty and individualized joy in nature.”

It is his poems celebrating nature that I particularly enjoy. Not only that, but I understand them! I find many of the classic poems a little inaccessible. That might make me a bit of a lazy-poetry-reader, but if I have to work too hard to ‘get into’ a poem then I lose the joy in its rhythm and melody.

And I so agree with this quote of his:

“Set me a task in which I can put something of my very self, and it is a task no longer; it is joy; it is art.”

My own creativity is always refreshed by reading the creative works of others — especially some of the classic poems, knowing they were written in a different world at a different time, with a different mindset.

*This poem is in the public domain. Stuff you need to know about the use of other people’s work.

More Bliss Carman:

‘Woodland Rain’ by Bliss Carman

After the storm

medium.com

‘Before the Snow’ by Bliss Carman

‘A gleam in winter’ — painting by Susan Alison

medium.com

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susanalisonart.medium.com

Stuff you need to know about the use of other people’s work:

Using Public Domain Material

How to avoid the potholes that lead to inadvertently infringing someone’s rights

medium.com

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