Poetry being the sign of that which all men desire, even though

"Poetry being the sign of that which all men desire, even though the desire be unconscious, intensity of life or completeness of experience, the universality of its appeal is a matter of course." These words from John Drinkwater speak to the eternal truth that poetry is not merely a form of artistic expression, but the expression of our deepest, often unspoken longings. It reveals the human soul in its most raw and true form, capturing the desires, the longings, the fears, and the joys that make us human. These are not merely individual emotions, but universal ones—felt by every person, regardless of time, place, or culture. Even when we are unaware of them, we are all drawn to the intensity of life and the completeness of experience that poetry offers.

In the ancient world, poetry was not just a form of entertainment or a vehicle for storytelling—it was a way of expressing the deepest truths of existence. The Greek poets, like Homer and Sappho, did not simply recount stories; they sought to speak to the soul of humanity. Homer’s epics, such as the Iliad and the Odyssey, are not merely tales of gods and heroes, but profound reflections on honor, fate, and the human condition. These themes are not confined to a particular time or culture but speak to the universality of human experience. Homer’s poetry captured not only the specific struggles of the ancient Greeks but the eternal, underlying truths of existence that we all share. This is why his work endures—it transcends time and place, speaking to the desires of all people.

When Drinkwater speaks of poetry as the sign of what all men desire—intensity of life and completeness of experience—he is pointing to the way in which poetry captures the essence of life itself. It is the intensity that we feel in moments of deep joy or profound loss, the way life can feel so full in an instant, and so empty the next. Poetry gives voice to these experiences, elevating them into something transcendent, something that resonates deeply with everyone. Even those who may not consciously seek poetry or are unaware of their own longing for meaning find themselves drawn to its rhythms and its depth. There is an innate desire in every human being to experience life fully, and poetry offers the means to both understand and embrace that intensity.

Consider the works of William Wordsworth, whose poetry celebrated the natural world and the profound emotional connection between humans and nature. Wordsworth’s Lines Composed a Few Miles Above Tintern Abbey is not merely a reflection on a specific moment or place, but a meditation on the universal longing for peace, for completeness, and for unity with the world. Through his words, he taps into the universal desire to experience life deeply and to find meaning in the world around us. His poetry touches something eternal in the human heart—the desire for wholeness, for moments of clarity and understanding in the often turbulent flow of life.

The universality of poetry’s appeal, as Drinkwater points out, is a natural consequence of its connection to human desire. Everyone, in some form or another, seeks to understand their place in the world, to experience life to the fullest, and to find a sense of completeness in their journey. This is why poetry has the power to move us across time and culture. Whether it is a sonnet by Shakespeare, a haiku by Bash?, or the lyrical verses of Pablo Neruda, poetry speaks to the deepest parts of ourselves. Even when the poet’s experience may seem distant or foreign, we find something familiar in the emotions they convey—grief, hope, longing, and joy—the universal emotions that connect us all.

The lesson that Drinkwater imparts is that poetry has the power to connect humanity, to speak across boundaries of time, space, and culture. It touches the soul in ways that no other form of expression can. Poetry is not just about the art of language—it is about the experience of life itself. Through the words of the poet, we find a reflection of our own desires, our own struggles, and our own longing for meaning. To engage with poetry is to engage with the most intimate and universal parts of ourselves.

In practical terms, let us embrace the power of poetry to help us connect with the world around us. Whether as readers or writers, we should approach poetry with the understanding that it is a form of communication that transcends the limits of language. Let us seek out poetry that speaks to us, that reflects our own desires and experiences, and let us create poetry that speaks to others, knowing that in doing so, we are tapping into something eternal, something that connects all people across all ages. In this way, we become part of the timeless flow of human expression—a flow that speaks not just to individuals but to all of humanity, across space and time.