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On My First Attempt To Read Canterbury Tales

If I had time enough to climb
this Everest of rhythmic rhyme,
I’d find my mind is wandering,
meandering through desert clime.

Each ancient word seems so absurd,
countless of which I’ve never heard.
The ear may hear, though wondering
and pondering what just occurred.

If days had space to ever trace
such epic poems of our race,
long hours of ours lost squandering
time, blundering one can’t erase.

Confine the lines under the bonnet
of sweet brevity's lean sonnet -
levity and glee arise!
These eyes will sing and smile upon it.

written 28 Mar 2020

Copyright © John Watt | Year Posted 2020

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July 18, 2022 at 10:10 AM

Effortless run John. Congratulations on getting to the next mile marker with rhyming ease! You didn't even break a sweat! Susan is right about your "Everest" metaphor that soars into the space of new understandings and your lovely gazelle like rhymes! Very creative dear friend! Grace and peace as you run the race!

July 17, 2022 at 7:32 AM

My dear PoBro, I revel in the ease of your eloquent poetic expression! "Confine the lines under the bonnet /of sweet brevity's lean sonnet" - such a grand and creative declaration! My heart skips a few beats when I read your poem, John. I especially adore the "Everest" metaphor too. Your artistry shines in such a beautiful way.. and yes, with glee, my eyes do sing and smile upon your precious verse. I never read Canterbury Tales but I feel your rhythmic rhyming angst in a wonderful way. Congratulation, John, for your excellent win in Mark's contest. Grab some water and let's get to the next mile marker! It's a pleasure to share the podium with you, my inspiring friend. Warmest wishes and hugs.. your PS-PS

July 17, 2022 at 5:14 AM

Chaucer's Tales was a bane on my 6th form English Literature life. His "middle English" irritated, bored and put me to sleep back in 1978. I chewed some of Chaucer's Canterbury ideas then mashed them up with a few Lewis Carroll snippets for my own Wonderland series of poems here at The Soup. A sort of anti tribute to his 'classic' write. I digress: When it comes to your poem John I could read and read over as many times that time allows shouting out Yes! and Check! at every line. Cheers - Gary

July 16, 2022 at 5:34 AM

What's more challenging than reading Chaucer--and Shakespeare? Trying to teach their works to teenagers. Great poem, very expressive, John.Yes, give me a sonnet. CONGRATS on your win!

July 16, 2022 at 9:54 PM

Oh, I believe it! Are you a teacher? Thanks for the kind comment and congrats, Janice ~ John

Andrea Dietrich

July 15, 2022 at 5:44 PM

I would never even TRY to read Canterbury tales. We did an excerpt in high school. That was enough for ME

July 16, 2022 at 9:58 PM

Yep, I would not have lasted long as an English Lit major, thot's fur shoar.

Andrea Dietrich

July 15, 2022 at 5:43 PM

Wow, John. I did not even know you were entering this one. it's your "quirky" one? I've seen others of yours that were even quirkier! But this one also has a classy elegant feel to it too. So happy you got a win. Congratulations

July 16, 2022 at 9:53 PM

Well, relative to my usual writing topics, I thought this was on the quirky side. Thanks for the visit and congratulations, Andrea.

Connie Marcum Wong

July 15, 2022 at 2:11 PM

John, your wonderful poem sings of the consternation felt by modern students forced to try to understand these tales. I have the lovely book and admire the leather casing but could I understand what’s inside? Not on your life! You have captured my feelings exactly in your amazing poem. Here’s to the sonnet! A Fave for me. Congratulations on your win. Blessings xxoo

July 15, 2022 at 5:31 PM

So glad you could relate, Connie. Our language had to start somewhere, but it can be torture slogging through those long, ancient writings. Thanks much for the lovely comment and fave ~ John

Paula Goldsmith

July 15, 2022 at 8:47 AM

Congratulations on your win. A "Creative" write/picture. Have a blessed day/weekend writing away...............

July 15, 2022 at 5:29 PM

Thank you Paula, glad you enjoyed!

July 15, 2022 at 8:33 AM

John, your first stanza is brilliant, and your entire rhyme delightful. You've also managed to take me back to my school days with Chaucer, Homer, Beowulf, and the rest of the band. :) Congratulations on your win on Mile 7 of my 2022 Poetry Marathon Contest. Keep your running shoes on, because Mile 8 has already started!

July 15, 2022 at 5:28 PM

I had a feeling there might be some English majors here who could relate... thanks for the generous placement and kind words, Mark.

April 1, 2020 at 8:08 PM

All I can say is -- 'your shoures soate' -- you got soaked, man! Love that Chaucer -- but one needs a bit of a guide at first, is all... The Wyfe of Bath's Tale is as bawdy as they get... Oh, well. What can you expect from something that's 700 years old?! Cheers, Gershon

April 1, 2020 at 8:21 PM

Hey, leave my wyfe's bath out of this! Haha! Always love your sense of fun, Gershon. I think you're the first one to respond who has positive things to say about Canterbury Tales, though!

March 31, 2020 at 7:22 PM

I am sure there are some that love the work and that of Shakespeare but it has never floated my boat. You made my day John, I much prefer humour and poems i can understand easily than literary masterpieces which I personally find dull and dreary :-) hugs jan xx

March 31, 2020 at 7:40 PM

Perhaps because I was never an English major, I was not exposed very much to Beowulf, Canterbury Tales, and Shakespeare's Henry's. My loss, somebody else's gain, haha! Thanks for the affirmation Jan, we are not alone!

Caren Krutsinger

March 30, 2020 at 12:07 AM

It has to be amazingly easy for me, because I usually read the poems I read at the end of a very long day. I have to be able to let my soul decipher without any thought at all. Well said.

March 30, 2020 at 12:22 AM

Caren, I cracked up when I saw your latest contest instructions... "Keep it brief, I have a short attention span". LOL! I can so relate!

March 29, 2020 at 9:51 PM

I hate reading something that my mind cannot focus on. Like you said the mind wanders and meanders through. Enjoyed reading, John.

March 29, 2020 at 9:56 PM

I keep waiting for the English majors who loved it to write saying, "What do you mean? Chaucer is brilliant!" So far, no acrimony. Thanks for dropping by, Eve!

Andrea Dietrich

March 29, 2020 at 1:28 PM

I SO agree!!! Thank goodness I never had to read this boring stuff in school. Even Shakespeare I could barely abide! I know his plays were a marvel in his time, but I hated the words I did not even understand sometimes when i read excerpts of his work. I LOVE this and its paying tribute to the sonnet. FAVE

March 29, 2020 at 10:00 PM

Andrea, it sure is bold of you to not venerate the mighty Will on a writer's website, haha! But I feel the same. Of all his sonnets, there are about 10 I really enjoy, the rest just make my head hurt.

March 29, 2020 at 1:04 PM

Wonderful, John. You always write on such creative themes. Still can't get your sweet treat poem out of my mind. Your crafting of interior rhymes in this poem is masterful! Congratulations dear friend. Sending you a virtual chocolate chip cookie!

March 29, 2020 at 1:17 PM

Yum! I enjoyed that morning virtual treat, Sam. And, as always your thoughtful comments of encouragement. I especially appreciate your notice of the internal rhymes. Your words make me smile, both in the form of poetry and commentary.

Michelle Faulkner

March 29, 2020 at 11:21 AM

They are a challenge - I remember trying to read some parts aloud, to recreate the sound - Middle English is almost another language! I think the Everest line is my favorite-

March 29, 2020 at 1:20 PM

I really shouldn't so easily dismiss such epic pillars of English literature. Call it my short attention span or lack of academic discipline. But I'm no longer a student, and can enjoy the luxury of choosing which literary gems to focus on! Thanks for the warm comment, Michelle.

March 28, 2020 at 5:50 PM

I can remember reading the Canterbury Tales in high school, it was considered quite risque at the time. Nicely written, John, and I'm with you, I'll take a nicely penned sonnet any day. John

March 28, 2020 at 8:14 PM

It's a beast. Takes a special teacher to bring a high school class along for the ride. Thanks for the comment, John - I hope you and yours are doing well.

March 28, 2020 at 1:42 PM

ha! your final verse is pure gold, john, and it will have me grinning for a good long while. i also love the way you've used rhyme here. ~ i know i read at least part of the canterbury tales as an english major, but i don't think i'd have the patience to slog through it now...

March 28, 2020 at 8:16 PM

I dated an English major in college and she was reading it and LOVED it. You're right about the patience part... if she was patient enough to date ME, then Chaucer is a piece of cake, lol!

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