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Michael Shepherd (8.4.1929 / Marton, Lancashire)
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farmwork; 9-14 teacher; pro-am drama; scholarship to Oxford University to study Anglo-Saxon and English Literature; dropout; backstage Ballets de Pari .. more >>
1645 poems of Michael Shepherd
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! e n t h u s i a s m

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(6 votes)



  I love the old Greek view –
within each of us
the god lies sleeping;
a sweet sleep, full of refreshment,
as snug as a bug in a rug
or Arthur, all his knights around,
under the green hills of Avalon;

we, each of us full of all Olympus;
gods, sleeping as a mother does,
always an ear for the slightest sound
of those they love;
the gods love us,
how could they not

and of those slightest sounds
it’s fire – the fire of speech –
that wakes their might;
they love a stirring speech

and in an instant,
throw all their mighty powers
at the service of the things we truly love –

so, as they work their mighty work,
may go without sleep for days,
drink only the sweet water of our love,
move heaven and earth
to please what pleases them and pleases us;
the good; the true; the beautiful;
how their eyes shine.

sleeping too,
between the pages of the dictionary
and our routined life
is the name by which we call them from their sleep;
the name which they themselves
then roar out a thousand stirring times as loud;
the name by which we know ourselves,
know us as they, and they as us

and as they stir in us
we know ourselves as gods

there is not one of you, of us, who does not know
and recognise its name; our name;

enthusiasm.
the god within

Michael Shepherd


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  Comments about this poem (! e n t h u s i a s m by Michael Shepherd )
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  Fay Slimm  (8/22/2008 11:43:00 PM)

The godly fire of enthusiasm - so well explained in this wonderful piece. May we who see this truth never put out that god-given fire, however long we live on earth. Thank you for penning this Michael.
  Chitra -  (8/10/2008 4:50:00 AM)

nice write! enjoyed it
  Mary Gordley  (1/12/2008 3:21:00 PM)

May that God, 'enthusiasm' never fail, nor his sibling 'inspiration'. Both are so well represented in your work. Thank you Michael.
  Melvina Germain  (5/11/2007 8:33:00 PM)

How very, very interesting, I must think on that for awhile 'enthusiasm.
the god within ' yes I'll sit and ponder. Enjoyed the read, truly enjoyed the read. Thankyou Michael.---Melvina---
  Jim Foulk  (3/16/2007 1:18:00 PM)

a beautiful piece of poetry, well said, liked this one very much.
  Alison Cassidy  (3/16/2007 2:23:00 AM)

Michael this is a very reassuring notion - God is enthusiasm Yes I like it...and your poems which always remind me of what I know already, but in a distinctive, quirky metaphysical sort of way. Jerry calls me a bull at a gate - now I realise I'm just a bit of a God really... love, Allie xxxx
  Lola Cunningham  (3/15/2007 9:29:00 PM)

Michael,
Your writing, is so very special.Powerful.
I truly like this piece.
  Sal Carter  (3/14/2007 6:28:00 AM)

I love this. actually kinda reminds me of some of the stuff in Nietzche's 'Birth of Tragedy' on the greek mindset.
Its very powerful and thunderous (if that isnt a word...... it is now) .
thanks!
  Duncan Wyllie  (3/10/2007 12:49:00 PM)

Dear Michael

This is so well paced, and it holds a strength of positivity, it reminds me of the phoenix
Thankyou for sharing your art
Love duncan X

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