For better and worse, the A-Z Challenge has only 6 days to go and the frenetic pace will eventually return to a peaceful calm. Actually, I think the journey is only just beginning.
As luck turned out, yesterday was the 400th Anniversary of the Death of William Shakespeare and so I delayed writing his letter to coincide with the big day. That was quite a bit of fun as Shakespeare feasted on birthday cake and almost touched the stars on the London Eye. The last I heard he was heading off to the theatre, substituting a hat for a head. As you might have heard, recent investigations have confirmed that Shakespeare’s head was stolen from his grave.
The fate of Percy Byssche Shelley’s remains turned out to be an interesting story as well. Given his wife Mary Shelley wrote Frankenstein, I shouldn’t have been surprised.
Considering I virtually plucked Qu Yuan out of a hat, I was pleasantly surprised. He is a very much respected figure in Chinese poetry and culture and the Dragon Boat Festival is held in his honour. Despite living over 2000 years ago, he writes so well about what it means to be in exile, stand up for a cause and not fit in.
This week, I wrote to Rabindranath Tagore. I first came across him at my grandmother’s funeral and spark led me on to find Kahlil Gibran and The Prophet. From there, I discovered Rilke and his poetry but also his Letters to A Young Poet. From there, I think the last stop was Rumi.
So, now I encourage you to follow in my footsteps and get to know these incredible poets, who are perhaps not so well known among some English speakers.
Here’s the list to date:
A: AA Milne
Robert Frost: The Road Not Taken.
H: Ted Hughes.
A Surprise Letter From Ernest Hemingway.
A Letter to Issa- Japanese Haiku Master.
A Letter to Jim Morrison-The Doors
A Letter from Rudyard Kipling including the poem: “If”
Lao Tzu: A Poem about The Journey.
Dorothea Mackellar: Australian Poet.
A Letter from Mary Stevenson re “Footprints”.
Dr Maya Angelou A reply.
N:Oodganoo Noonuccal: Indigenous Australian Poet
Dorothy Parker
Dorothy Parker Writes to the Poor Little Dogs.
Dogs Accuse: “Dorothy Parker Is A Fraud!”
Dorothy Parker Defends Dogs’ Accusations
Sylvia Plath
Help Me Dorothy Dix: What to Write to Sylvia Plath.
Qu Yuan
Qu Yuan Chinese Poet
A Letter From Qu Yuan: Chinese Wisdom.
Rumi
Rainer Maria Rilke
Rilke Replies: Advice to Modern Poets.
Percy Bysshe Shelley
Advice from Percy Byssche Shelley
William Shakespeare
I delayed writing my letter to William Shakespeare by a day to coincide with the 400th Anniversary of his death on 23rd April, 1616. By the way, when Shakespeare woke up, he found his head was missing.
Despite writing some of the most loved and recognised love sonnets of all time, Shakespeare admitted that his track record with love wasn’t a commendation. So, he introduced me to poets Elizabeth Barrett and Robert Browning.
Shakespeare Time travels 400 Years
Shakespeare on Love 400 Years On.
Rabindranath Tagore
Letters to Rabindranath Tagore
Wisdom of Tagore: Love, Children and Dogs.
How are you finding the challenge? I must say it’s been challenging for me having the kids at home on school holidays for the last two weeks..especially after taking up an overly ambitious theme.
I apologise for not reading as many posts as I would like but will continue making my rounds afterwards.
Best wishes,
Rowena
Beyond the Flow 
Your theme is so interesting. I especially like the way you’ve tried to get to know the poets on a personal level through their own work. I’ve not read as many of these as I’ve intended to, but I will get round to them eventually!
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Thanks for popping by, Adam. Actually, I understand that reading these posts is more of a sit down than a fly through.This series has definitely taken my writing to another level and me with it. xx Rowena