In brief
This article delves into the personal reflections and experiences of memorizing poetry, highlighting the beauty and comfort these verses can bring without the burden often associated with rote learning.
The first poem I can distinctly remember committing to memory was “Pinkle Purr” by A.A. Milne. I encountered it around the age of seven, captivated by its playful whimsy. This children’s poem, structured in a soothing AA/BB/AA rhyme scheme, centers around the delightful bond between a kitten named Pinkle Purr and his mother, Tattoo, depicting their evolving relationship akin to a junior version of "Cat’s in the Cradle," albeit with a lighter tone.I didn’t force myself to memorize it; instead, I recited it over and over, letting the words weave seamlessly into my psyche, much like the jingles of cherished television shows. I recall walking about, experimenting with different emphases and inflections: “Tattoo was the mother of Pinkle Purr/A little black nothing of feet and fur;/And by-and-by, when his eyes came through,/He saw his mother, the big Tattoo.” It served as a soothing rhythm during moments of self-reflection, a personal soundtrack that provided solace.Starting this adventure early on, even before formal school expectations kicked in, allowed me to view the memorization process as an enjoyable and enriching challenge, rather than a monotonous task. Even as a graduate student, I found joy in memorizing lines from Galway Kinnell's “Little Sleep’s-Head Sprouting Hair in the Moonlight.” Fragments of those mesmerizing lines often appear uninvited in my thoughts: “Kiss the mouth / that tells you, here, / here is the world.” Those beautiful echoes serve as a gentle reminder of the artistry that can flourish amid everyday chaos.Recently, The Times Book Review launched a week-long initiative encouraging readers to memorize Edna St. Vincent Millay's “Recuerdo,” presenting engaging games and videos. Ethan Hawke's animated recitation of “We were very tired, we were very merry, / We had gone back and forth all night on the ferry” captures its essence beautifully, making the challenge even more appealing. Although I’m naturally inclined towards memorizing poetry, this initiative can transform those skeptical of poetic memorization from viewing it as homework into appreciating its poetic charm. The metaphor that resonates most with me is that a poem occupies a quaint, tranquil space in our overly stimulated minds. As A.O. Scott and Aliza Aufrichtig aptly articulate, “It’s a flower in the windowbox of your mind.” For me, “Spelt From Sibyl’s Leaves” by Gerard Manley Hopkins is that cherished flower. I first memorized it two decades ago and strive to refresh those lines periodically to assist me in reciting it flawlessly.This poem’s intricate rhythm, vibrant language, and vivid imagery fill me with ecstatic joy as I recite it: “Earnest, earthless, equal, attuneable, ‘ vaulty, voluminous, … stupendous / Evening strains to be time’s vast, ‘ womb-of-all, home-of-all, hearse-of-all night.” I learned not long ago that Hopkins insisted these verses were meant to be voiced aloud, often presented in a near-songlike manner—whether in the shower, while driving, or during culinary pursuits. Memorized poetry reveals its true worth in those restless nights when anxieties agitate the mind. The lines can resonate within your thoughts, or you might choose to give them voice, drawing forth the threads of memory to sing aloud the verses, letting the poetry breathe life into your emotions and thoughts.
