Paying Attention: Poems that Capture Life's Subtle Moments

In a world filled with distractions, it is a rare and precious gift to be able to pay attention to the seemingly insignificant details that make life beautiful. Poets have long been masters of this art, crafting verses that invite us to slow down, observe, and appreciate the world around us. In this article, we will explore a selection of poems that remind us of the importance of paying attention to life's subtle moments.

Índice
  1. 1. "The Red Wheelbarrow" by William Carlos Williams
    1. So much depends
    2. upon
    3. a red wheel
    4. barrow
    5. glazed with rain
    6. water
    7. beside the white
    8. chickens.
  2. 2. "Thirteen Ways of Looking at a Blackbird" by Wallace Stevens
    1. I
    2. Among twenty snowy mountains,
    3. The only moving thing
    4. Was the eye of the blackbird.
  3. 3. "In a Station of the Metro" by Ezra Pound
    1. The apparition of these faces in the crowd;
    2. Petals on a wet, black bough.
  4. 4. "When Death Comes" by Mary Oliver
    1. When death comes
    2. like the hungry bear in autumn;
    3. when death comes and takes all the bright coins from his purse
    4. to buy me, and snaps the purse shut;
    5. when death comes
    6. like the measle-pox;
    7. when death comes
    8. like an iceberg between the shoulder blades,
    9. I want to step through the door full of curiosity, wondering:
    10. what is it going to be like, that cottage of darkness?
    11. And therefore I look upon everything
    12. as a brotherhood and a sisterhood,
    13. and I consider eternity as another possibility,
    14. and I think of each life as a flower, as common
    15. as a field daisy, and as singular,
    16. and each name a comfortable music in the mouth,
    17. tending, as all music does, toward silence,
    18. and each body a lion of courage, and something
    19. precious to the earth.

1. "The Red Wheelbarrow" by William Carlos Williams

So much depends

upon

a red wheel

barrow

glazed with rain

water

beside the white

chickens.

In just twelve succinct words, Williams captures the essence of paying attention to the ordinary. This deceptively simple poem encourages us to appreciate the beauty in everyday objects and occurrences. The juxtaposition of the red wheelbarrow, glazed with rainwater, against the white chickens evokes a vivid image that invites us to pause and find meaning in the mundane.

2. "Thirteen Ways of Looking at a Blackbird" by Wallace Stevens

I

Among twenty snowy mountains,

The only moving thing

Was the eye of the blackbird.

Stevens's poem takes us on a journey through thirteen perspectives of a blackbird, each offering a new insight into the world we often overlook. By focusing our attention on this solitary creature against a snowy landscape, the poet prompts us to see the world from different angles and appreciate the beauty hidden in plain sight.

3. "In a Station of the Metro" by Ezra Pound

The apparition of these faces in the crowd;

Petals on a wet, black bough.

Pound's iconic haiku-like poem captures a fleeting moment in a bustling metro station. Through the careful observation of faces in a crowd, he draws a parallel between human faces and delicate flower petals. This poem reminds us that even in the midst of chaos, there is beauty to be found if we pay attention to the details.

4. "When Death Comes" by Mary Oliver

When death comes

like the hungry bear in autumn;

when death comes and takes all the bright coins from his purse

to buy me, and snaps the purse shut;

when death comes

like the measle-pox;

when death comes

like an iceberg between the shoulder blades,

I want to step through the door full of curiosity, wondering:

what is it going to be like, that cottage of darkness?

And therefore I look upon everything

as a brotherhood and a sisterhood,

and I consider eternity as another possibility,

and I think of each life as a flower, as common

as a field daisy, and as singular,

and each name a comfortable music in the mouth,

tending, as all music does, toward silence,

and each body a lion of courage, and something

precious to the earth.

Mary Oliver's poignant poem reminds us of the fleeting nature of life and the importance of paying attention to the present moment. Through vivid imagery and contemplation of death, she urges us to live with curiosity and wonder, appreciating the interconnectedness of all living beings.

These poems serve as gentle reminders that life's greatest treasures often lie in the overlooked and the seemingly insignificant. By paying attention and embracing the present moment, we can find beauty and meaning in the most ordinary aspects of life. Let these verses inspire you to cultivate a mindful awareness of the world around you, and may you discover the extraordinary within the ordinary.

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