Existence and Mystery - An Anthology of Poems

The question of existence might very well be the biggest question of mankind. After all, no one can say with utmost certainty that they have the answer of from which we came, or who is the -- or if there is a - creator, and can offer undisputable evidence. The question has prevailed since the realization of consciousness in the first man, and has spurred a vast array of folktales, myths and lore that has laid the foundation for all subsequent literature. The belief system of a culture or society is a defining element of it, and this will likely prevail, as we of this generation will not likely find solid evidence to back our assumptions or any of the answers to our greatest questions of existence, the divine, and of our faith. But maybe it is best if we never know, for that question has been the catalyst for a great number of our best works of art and literature, and certainly more specifically for poetry, as we see in this anthology.

I agree with the old saying, that poetry is the language of the soul. It is no wonder that we have so much poetry that deals not only with the senses of our bodies and the events and emotions of our lives, but with the questions of our existence, and our declarations of faith. Several poems display how mystery and faith are present in our everyday activities and ordinary sights. Some poetry gives us and example of faith and belief commingling with others, and some poetry expresses a belief that it is best, and our lives are more enriched, by the presence of mystery and the questions that plague us remain unanswered.

This anthology features five poems from three different poets. William Blake, a Londoner who wrote in the late eighteenth century. Emily Dickinson, an American poet writing in the mid-nineteenth century, and Robert Frost, American, writing in the early twentieth century. We will look at each poet chronologically, and also, we'll examine the progression in the ideas of faith in each, from Blake's more orthodox viewpoint, to an ease in ritual in Dickinson, and a message from Frost that makes us pause and consider the role of the divine in nature.