Transcendence

On the Sea

It keeps eternal whisperings around

Desolate shores, and with its mighty swell

Gluts twice ten thousand caverns, till the spell

Of Hecate leaves them their old shadowy sound

Often 'tis in such gentle temper found,

That scarcely will the very smallest shell

Be moved for days from whence it sometime fell,

When last the winds of heaven were unbound.

Oh ye! who have your eye-balls vexed and tired,

Feast them upon the wideness of the Sea;

Oh ye! whose ears are dinned with uproar rude,

Or fed too much with cloying melody, -

Sit ye near some old cavern's mouth, and brood

Until ye start, as if the sea nymphs quir'd!

John Keats, 1817

I love the poetry of John Keats and thoroughly enjoyed the film 'Bright Star' which starred Abbie Cornish and Ben Whishaw. It was directed by Jane Campion and is every bit as beautiful and brilliant as her other movies such as The Piano and An Angel at my Table.

I have been reminded of this film and felt the inspiration of John Keats' extraordinary work today, as I have been preparing for some TAFE assignments.  I felt called to create something in the theme of the sea as I have yearned for it this year, alongside a recent focus on the beauty and wonder of dolphins.

The sea in Keats' poem is a metaphor for life.  The ocean can be violent and powerful but can also be calm and gentle.  I was particularly drawn to one analysis (http://www.eliteskills.com/c/6726) which suggested that "Keats calls those who are exhausted with life, and who do not believe things can get any better, to spend time watching the sea.  The line refers to someone who is 'vexed and tired' with their life.  The din or constant clamor of life has worn them down.  Keats is saying that no matter how bad things are, life is unpredictable, and can change for the better in a instant... Keats is addressing every human being who has become exhausted with life... telling them to look to the sea, or to the contrasting nature of human life for hope and the will to move on.  He is suggesting that the volatile nature of our own lives can change as quickly as the sea."

I sense a trip to the sea coming on...