Today I would like to offer, not a poem, but a reflection on
the necessity of poetry in a civilized society. These are excerpts from a
speech in honor of Robert Frost given by President Kennedy in 1963, less than a
month before his death. It seems very timely. You can read the speech, and hear JFK’s presentation, here: http://flaglerlive.com/21246/jfk-amherst-speech-arts
“Our national strength matters, but the spirit which informs
and controls our strength matters just as much.”
“. . . it is hardly an accident that Robert Frost coupled
poetry and power, for he saw poetry as the means of saving power from itself.
When power leads men towards arrogance, poetry reminds him of his limitations.
When power narrows the areas of man's concern, poetry reminds him of the
richness and diversity of his existence. When power corrupts, poetry cleanses.
For art establishes the basic human truth which must serve as the touchstone of
our judgment.”
“If sometimes our great artists have been the most critical
of our society, it is because their sensitivity and their concern for justice,
which must motivate any true artist, makes him aware that our Nation falls
short of its highest potential. I see little of more importance to the future
of our country and our civilization than full recognition of the place of the
artist.”
“If art is to nourish the roots of our culture, society must
set the artist free to follow his vision wherever it takes him. We must never
forget that art is not a form of propaganda; it is a form of truth”
“I look forward to a great future for America, a future in
which our country will match its military strength with our moral restraint,
its wealth with our wisdom, its power with our purpose. I look forward to an
America which will not be afraid of grace and beauty, which will protect the
beauty of our natural environment, which will preserve the great old American
houses and squares and parks of our national past, and which will build
handsome and balanced cities for our future.
I look forward to an America which will reward achievement
in the arts as we reward achievement in business or statecraft. I look forward
to an America which will steadily raise the standards of artistic
accomplishment and which will steadily enlarge cultural opportunities for all
of our citizens. And I look forward to an America which commands respect
throughout the world not only for its strength but for its civilization as
well. And I look forward to a world which will be safe not only for democracy
and diversity but also for personal distinction.”
This week Poetry Friday is hosted by Laura Purdy Salas: http://laurasalas.wordpress.com/
1 comment:
What a speech! Thank you for sharing it with us.
Post a Comment