Poetry and Nostalgia

Poetry is but a reminiscence …

It yields forth fruit of days gone by …

It fertilizes the dawn of a new day …

It enrichens the harboring of a new soul …

Laura Simoes

Poetry has the trait that distinguishes it from other forms of writing, in that it can relive and regenerate what has been lost in time. It bestows upon the reader a state of nostalgia and perplexity as it rehabilitates that which is a rendering of time gone by. Its nostalgic regurgitation is an anthem that poetry yesterday, today and tomorrow will always have a timeless effect upon the reader. Poetry of yesterday will always endeavor to have a soft and effective impact on that which is bestowed today and into the future. Such impact may encompass the apt foundation on which poetry is built … while striving to create a framework that is worthy of such an art.

Why does nostalgia drive a poet to pick his or her capturing poem time and time again? Why does nostalgia create a robust and romantic bonding with poet and poem? And, finally, why does nostalgia produce a roller-coaster effect upon the mind of the poet? A well-loved poem with always burn brightly in the heart of a poet, spreading that light in body, mind and soul, and in doing so, will never burn out. In the same way, such a poem will always remain subdued in the unconscious mind of the poet, emerging every now and then, to facilitate its existence and refurbish the dream that it is always awake. Such poems persist to maintain their immortal presence by bestowing an innocent and benevolent intellect to a poet’s mind. Memories serve to reinforce nostalgia.

Nostalgia is a double-edged sword; a poet may capitulate to the best or the worst of it. This is so because nostalgic memories may be captivating, enchanting and pleasurable, while, adversely, they may epitomize that which is haunting, threatening or bizarre. Being human, a poet is exposed to either scenario.

Unmasking to what is a pleasurable nostalgic episode is, of course, desirable; exposure to the bizarre is daunting. How does the poet deal with either situation to enable harmony and placidity in the present moment?

Let us explore the first scenario. The poet is ecstatic … he or she has found a niche … the mind is rocking and rolling with extravaganza! Nostalgia is at its peak – outpouring in every possible direction. The poem/poetry emphasizing such jubilance has touched the deepest core of the poet’s soul … bringing out the best … the present is surfaced with intangible delineation … creativity is abound to an extent superfluous. The poet is bestowed with abundance of rhyme, rhythm and verse … the manuscript looks generous and the poet is graciously pleased with what has been accomplished. Grandiose and perfection are in harmony.

What of the reverse? The reminiscent delve has suddenly controlled the mind to contemplation of unquiet, restlessness and turmoil. The mind and its thoughts are akin to a roller-coaster on a reverse course. There is unwarranted noise, screaming and a chaotic turbulence … there is total disarray. The poet is juggling to struggle with the present. Where has nostalgia taken a, once peaceful, person to? The heart is beating at a pace and sound like an aircraft runway. Tension overflows from all visceral organs and the body has the desire to hide in a deep hole.

The situations described above can occur several times a day as nostalgic ingredients can churn out a decadent piece of cake or a mush of useless mixture.

As writers and poets, let us appreciate our vulnerability to nostalgia … let us refurbish our minds to effectively stimulate our senses in a manner which maintains our sanity despite the turbulence we may encounter. Let us also allow ourselves to acknowledge the illustrious joy in savoring that decadent piece of cake.