Notes About The Poem
“Ars Longa, Vita Brevis” is a Latin translation of an aphorism coming originally from Greek. The Latin quote is often rendered in English as, “Art is long, life is short.” The aphorism quotes the first two lines of the Aphorismi by the ancient Greek physician Hippocrates. The aphorism is a proverb that means there is so much knowledge or skill to acquire that a lifetime is not sufficient to master it all.
Ars Longa, Vita Brevis
Poesy requires skill and meter,
and a bard of golden heart;
or he will tire and teeter.
“Ars longa, vita brevis.”
A bard must seek inspiration,
and write with love and art
to create grace with elevation.
“Ars longa, vita brevis.”
A divine gift from the Nine Muses
and Apollo, poesy never departs
from the bard destiny chooses.
“Ars longa, vita brevis.”
When the bard's dormant afflatus
wakes, the world will witness the start
of his Muse's creative genius.
“Ars longa, vita brevis.”
Poesy's not for the dilettante,
nor the weak and faint of heart,
the cavalier or nonchalant!
“Ars longa, vita brevis.”
More austere than science or math,
poesy demands the mind of Descartes,
and the will for the Pierian path.
“Ars longa, vita brevis.”
Poesy acts like gravity for rhyme:
it keeps it from flying apart
in this universe of Parnassian time.
“Ars longa, vita brevis.”
Poesy is sometimes speechless beauty
that's difficult to express or impart,
like Creation's vast infinity.
“Ars longa, vita brevis.”
Poesy can soothe the soul
at the deepest, innermost part,
where body and spirit are whole.
“Ars longa, vita brevis.”
Poesy sometimes makes no sense;
but—as in love—be true to your heart:
for it makes all the difference!
“Ars longa, vita brevis.”
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