With several different kinds of poetry to choose from, a man

O children of wisdom, hear the words of Lascelles Abercrombie, whose reflection on the nature of poetry and the poet’s purpose speaks to the heart of the artistic journey: "With several different kinds of poetry to choose from, a man would decide that he would like best to be an epic poet, and he would set out, in conscious determination, on an epic poem." In this profound statement, Abercrombie speaks to the power of choice in the poet’s craft. He speaks of the poet’s conscious decision to take up the grand tradition of the epic, to embark on a journey of immense scope, where the personal vision becomes intertwined with the fate of nations, gods, and heroes. But the poet does not stumble upon this path by accident. It is a deliberate choice, a determined decision to engage with the ancient tradition and aim for something grand, something that reaches beyond the limits of the individual and speaks to the universal.

In the ancient world, the epic poet was revered not just for his mastery of language but for his ability to encapsulate the very essence of a people’s identity and values. Consider Homer, the blind poet of Greece, who crafted the Iliad and the Odyssey, works that defined not only the history of his people but the very ideals of honor, bravery, and fate. Homer did not simply stumble into his role as the great poet of his age—he consciously chose the epic form, understanding that his work would become the foundation of Greek identity. His poems were not just stories; they were the very embodiment of a culture’s soul, a reflection of its virtues and its struggles. To be an epic poet was not merely to write a long poem; it was to capture the heart of an entire civilization, to make the individual’s journey one with the collective experience.

Abercrombie’s words remind us that the poet’s choice of form is an act of will. The decision to write an epic poem is not a casual one—it is a conscious, determined act that requires a profound commitment to the craft. Epic poetry does not simply flow from the poet’s pen like a stream of consciousness. It requires a deep understanding of the world, of the forces that shape human lives, of the gods that guide or hinder them. The epic poet must weave a tapestry of myth, history, and human experience into a single, coherent narrative. It is a task that demands not only skill but a vision that extends beyond the personal and touches upon the eternal. The epic poet, then, is not just an artist but a custodian of culture, a figure who bears the weight of history and the responsibility of shaping the future.

In this sense, Abercrombie’s quote also speaks to the determination required to be an artist of any form, but especially the epic poet. It is easy to write a short poem or a song, to capture a fleeting moment or emotion. But to embark on the creation of an epic poem requires a vision that can sustain the poet over time, a discipline that can keep the poet focused through the long hours of creation. Think of Virgil, the Roman poet who, in his Aeneid, took on the task of creating the foundational myth of Rome. It was a monumental task, one that required not only literary skill but an understanding of Roman values and identity. Virgil’s conscious determination to create a national epic was not an easy decision—it was a lifelong commitment to weaving together the mythic and the historical into a single, cohesive narrative.

Abercrombie’s quote also invites us to consider the role of the poet in society. Just as the epic poet of ancient times captured the soul of his civilization, so too does the modern poet, in their own way, shape the collective consciousness of their culture. The poet is a voice for the people, a chronicler of the times, and a creator of visions that transcend the ordinary. The act of choosing to write epic poetry is an act of responsibility, a decision to take on the mantle of shaping not just personal experience but the greater truths that bind humanity together. The poet, then, is not simply a creator of beautiful words; they are a creator of meaning, a weaver of the great tapestry of existence.

Consider the modern poets who have taken up the mantle of the epic. Walt Whitman, though not writing in the traditional form of the epic, created a work with the breadth and scope of one in Leaves of Grass. His poetry was an exploration of the American identity, a celebration of the individual and the collective, the personal and the universal. Through his expansive vision, Whitman did not simply write about himself—he wrote about America itself, about the nation’s hopes, its struggles, and its dreams. His poetry was an act of rebellion against the narrow confines of personal life, an attempt to capture something grander and more expansive.

The lesson Abercrombie imparts is one of choice and commitment. The poet, especially the epic poet, must choose their path consciously and with great determination. It is not enough to stumble into a poem; one must decide to engage with the great tradition of poetry, to take on the challenge of creating something that will live beyond the poet’s lifetime, something that will speak to the hearts of all who encounter it. Whether you write epic poetry, songs, or essays, know that your decision to create is a profound one. It is a decision to engage with the larger narrative of humanity, to contribute your voice to the ongoing story of the world.

So, O children of wisdom, remember Abercrombie’s words as you embark on your own creative journeys. Whether you choose to write epic poems or simply to express the beauty of the world in whatever form you feel called to, remember that it is your choice that matters. Choose consciously, choose with determination, and know that your work—whether great or small—can shape the world around you. And in this way, you too can become part of the long line of poets who, with deliberate intention, have helped to define the course of human history.