Do not seek to follow in the footsteps of the wise. Seek what they sought.
— Matsuo Bashō
A Paean to Poets
National Poets Day is a celebration of the timeless voices that weave the fabric of human experience— more than a mere acknowledgment of poets, it is a reverent homage to the souls who transmute the ordinary into the extraordinary through the alchemy of words. Every 21st of August, we honor the delicate balance of imagination and reality that poets achieve, reminding us that poetry is not just a genre of literature but the heartbeat of the human spirit.
A poet's work is often likened to that of a sculptor, chiseling away at the marble of language until the true form emerges. But unlike the sculptor, whose hands shape tangible stone, the poet molds the intangible— thoughts, emotions, fleeting moments into verses that resonate across time and space. National Poets Day reminds us that while the world may change, the essence captured in poetry remains eternal, bridging generations with a shared understanding of love, loss, joy, and despair.
In celebrating National Poets Day, we delve into the minds of those who have dared to see the world through a different lens. They challenge the mundane and bring forth truths that are often left unspoken, truths that lurk in the shadows of our consciousness. Through their words, the poet gives voice to the voiceless, captures the ephemeral, and distills it into a form that we can hold, examine, and cherish.
This day encourages us not only to read poetry but to live it— to find the poetry in our daily lives, to listen to the rhythm of our surroundings, and to appreciate the beauty in the smallest details. Whether it’s the sound of rain tapping against a window, the warmth of a sunrise, or the silent tears of a broken heart, there is poetry in everything. If only for a moment, this lauded day invites us to become poets ourselves and to recognize that in every word we speak, in every emotion we feel, there lies a verse waiting to be written.
As we celebrate National Poets Day, let us remember the power of poetry to transcend boundaries, to connect us in our shared humanity, and to remind us that within each of us lies the potential to see the world not just as it is, but as it could be.
The Poet Who Finds Sublime Beauty in the Lotus
Matsuo Bashō, a name synonymous with the elegance of haiku, is revered as one of Japan's greatest poets. Born in 1644, Bashō transformed the haiku from a playful form of entertainment into a profound expression of human experience, nature, and the fleeting beauty of life. His poetry, often spare and simple, carries a depth that resonates across centuries and cultures.
Bashō's life was marked by a deep connection to the natural world, which is evident in his verses. He wandered extensively throughout Japan, finding inspiration in the landscapes, seasons, and the ordinary moments of life. His famous journey documented in The Narrow Road to the Deep North, is not just a physical travelogue but a spiritual exploration, where each haiku he penned became a meditation on existence.
The power of Bashō's haiku lies in the ability to capture the essence of a moment in just a few syllables. A frog leaping into an old pond, the sound of water— such simple images, yet they evoke layers of meaning. Bashō’s genius was in his ability to find the profound in the mundane, to express the universal through the particular.
His influence extends far beyond Japan, as his haiku have been translated into countless languages, inspiring poets and readers worldwide. Bashō's work remains a timeless reminder of the beauty that can be found in simplicity, and the importance of observing the world with both humility and wonder. Through his poetry, Bashō invites us to pause, to notice, and to find poetry in the world around us.
The Poet Who Unearths Raw Gems Amongst Muddy Waters
Charles Bukowski, born on August 16, 1920, is the poet of the gritty and the mundane, having carved a niche in American literature with his raw, unflinching voice. Bukowski's work is a reflection of his tumultuous life marked by poverty, alcoholism, and a deep-seated disillusionment with society. His poetry and prose are stripped of pretense, offering a brutally honest portrayal of the human condition. His writing is steeped in the urban landscape where loneliness, despair, and fleeting moments of beauty coexist in a world that often seems indifferent.
Often described as dirty realism, his writing style rejects the polished and the idealized, and instead embraces the rough edges of life. His characters are often down-and-out, yet there is a resilience in their struggles that resonates with readers. In poems like The Laughing Heart, Bukowski paradoxically offers a message of hope amidst the darkness, urging his audience to ‘go all the way’ despite the odds.
Bukowski's legacy is that of a literary rebel with a voice empathetic to the marginalized and the misfits. His work challenges us to confront the uncomfortable truths of life, to find beauty in the broken, and to embrace our flaws with unabashed honesty.
EndlessPens’ Poetic Partners
In honor of Matsuo Bashō and Charles Bukowski, both quintessential poets exemplifying essential unity within diverse voices, let me share their congruent advice when it comes to writing— draw inspiration from your own life and experiences, grounding your work in authenticity.
And to celebrate this day recognizing the essential role of poets across time and beyond boundaries, here is a selection of fountain pens hand-in-hand with inks inspiring further literary creation—
Sailor Pro Gear Slim Mini Fountain Pen (2nd Release) - The 2nd Release of the tiny fountain pen Professional Gear Slim Mini which has previously been discontinued, revived for the first time in eight years! Though not exactly the same as the discontinued models, these fountain pens are back with a colorway that is lovely and desaturated, classic, and non-assertive.
Platinum #3776 Century Transparent Fountain Pen - Innovative Spin On Traditional Design. The Flagship Model #3776 Century solves the major concern of all fountain pens, which is its dryness. The product has been evaluated and re-innovated over the years to solve its dry nib and it can be used despite leaving it in the back of your draw for years due to its new mechanism The Slip Seal Lid. The ink smoothly flows from the pen onto the paper creating the perfect touch and its form is specifically designed to be comfortably used by all writers.
Opus 88 Flow Fountain Pen - It is an eyedropper-style fountain pen, so you would unscrew the front section on the pen, and then with that eyedropper that is included, fill the ink into the barrel of the pen, and reattach it. Both the cap and knob at the end of the barrel are made with a decagonal shape to keep the pen in place when it is set down.
Pilot Custom Heritage 912 Fountain Pen - The Custom Heritage 912 comes with an elegant styling and a great writing experience with a unique 14-karat gold rhodium-plated nib. This pen is refillable for continued use with a cartridge or a Pilot CON-70 converter. All Pilot Custom Heritage 912 nibs are interchangeable and offer a broad array of nib options designed to suit any writing style. The Custom Heritage 912 Collection features an array of 14-karat gold rhodium-plated nibs to choose from. No matter the nib you choose, the Custom Heritage 912 Fountain Pen by Pilot elevates the experience of writing to give the ultimate in personalization of expression in all your creative writing endeavors.
Sailor Shikiori Ink Bottle - Sailor's Shikiori (Four Seasons) line of fountain pen inks features unique and vibrant colors inspired by the beauty of the four seasons in Japan. Sailor Shikiori ink is described as smooth-flowing and specifically formulated to be safe for all fountain pens.
Robert Oster Regular Black and Grey Ink Bottle (50ml) - Inspired by the rich scenery and culture of Australia, Robert Oster inks are available in a stunning selection of vibrant and contemplative colors. Made with a commitment to environmental friendliness, all Robert Oster inks are non-toxic, 100% made in Australia, and bottled in PET plastic bottles from the country's first carbon-neutral plastics plant.
Wearingeul Lee Yuk Sa Literature Ink - The Color of Literature is the project expressing the stories and impressions of literature works with colors. Wearingeul inks illustrate the specific scenes or the atmosphere of novels and poems. Also, some Wearingeul ink sets represent the main concept of the original stories, giving unique experiences following the itinerary of the characters in the stories. Wearingeul inks are suitable for writing and drawing with fountain pens, dip pens, glass pens and other various ink pens. These inks have great shading, sheening effect, flow and visibility. Both beginners and experts of ink writing/drawing can use Wearingeul inks without difficulties.
Pilot Namiki Black Ink Bottle - This is a 60 ml bottle of high-quality, general use fountain pen ink from Pilot. This bottle contains a clever yet simple reservoir, which results in an ink level that's always high enough to refill your fountain pen. Simply flip the bottle upside down and back to fill the reservoir, and you can enjoy every last drop of your ink!
We are here to laugh at the odds and live our lives so well that Death will tremble to take us.
— Charles Bukowski
Have a meaningful National Poets Day!
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Written by @lekzumali
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