Pattern Poetry at Paper Poetry
The Keen Stars Were Twinkling
From mediocrity to greatness: my tribute to Percy Bysshe Shelley in accordance with Oscar Wilde’s proclamation
Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery that mediocrity can pay to greatness. Oscar Wilde
Let me set this straight from the outset — I’m the ‘mediocrity’ factor in this endeavour; I make no claim to greatness! 😜
But I do acknowledge that, when it comes to poets, there have been many before me who have proudly carried the mantle of ‘greatness’. Oscar Wilde himself was one of them. So too was Percy Bysshe Shelley.
It is the latter, the esteemed Mr Shelley, that I attempt to flatter with the utmost sincerity. And as Oscar Wilde proclaims, the best way to do that is by imitation.
I’ve chosen the opening stanza of the romantically star-struck poem, To Jane: The Keen Stars Were Twinkling, that Percy Bysshe Shelley penned for his illicit love interest, Jane Williams, in 1822 just months before his untimely death —
The keen stars were twinkling,
And the fair moon was rising among them,
Dear Jane.
The guitar was tinkling,
But the notes were not sweet till you sung them
Again.
