In brief
From childhood poetry to adult life, memorization allows for an internal expression of beauty and comfort
Memorizing poetry is like nurturing a cherished work of art within oneself. My first encounter with memorization began at seven with A.A. Milne's “Pinkle Purr.” This delightful children's poem enchants with its melodic rhythm and gentle narrative about a kitten's evolving relationship with his mother. The repetition of the poem, read over and over, made memorization effortless, embedding it in my daily musings as naturally as the theme songs of beloved TV shows. Unlike school assignments which can feel burdensome, I found joy in memorizing verses early in life. My love for poetry propelled me to commit Galway Kinnell’s “Little Sleep’s-Head Sprouting Hair in the Moonlight” to memory, providing me solace during mundane or turbulent moments. Conscious of an inner archive of beauty, I relish the unexpected flashes of memorized lines that rise up amidst the daily chaos.Recently, The Times Book Review initiated a challenge aimed at helping its readers memorize Edna St. Vincent Millay’s “Recuerdo.” The unique structure of this challenge, coupled with engaging videos like Ethan Hawke's captivating recitation, makes the complex art of memorization accessible. Crafting a counterpoint to today’s overwhelming stream of information, poetry emerges as a quiet refuge—the "flower in the windowbox of your mind."One of my personal favorites, Gerard Manley Hopkins' “Spelt From Sibyl’s Leaves,” remains a cherished companion. After two decades of memorizing and re-memorizing, I delight in reciting its exquisite imagery. Discovering that Hopkins urged for the poem to be performed aloud, I often practice during solitary moments, whether showering or driving. This active engagement with poetry transforms mundane experiences into lyrical reverie—it reminds us that the beauty of memorized verses can comfort us even on restless nights.
