I was surprised to meet the alchemist –
a pleasant woman, quite matter-of-fact.
I had not thought they actually exist.
But there she was, discovered in the act:
apparatus huge, fine measures exact.
A mutual friend arranged this merry meet,
and told me that they’d trained together. Sweet!
So she’s one too! It’s not some myth of old.
(They distill herbal remedies, to treat
the ailing; blithely unconcerned with gold.)
For Friday Writings #82 at Poets and Storytellers United, Magaly invites us to include the complete title of a favourite book in a piece of our own writing. Like many others, I love the sweet, wise fable, The Alchemist, by Paulo Coelho. Once I'd thought of that, no surprise that this personal memory popped up.
And health is literally gold.. so indeed they are alchemists! My favourite book keeps changing, it was Atlas Shrugged once and then Little Prince, then War and Peace...then Country without a post office by Agha Shahid Ali... sigh!
ReplyDeleteI think it's right they keep changing. I couldn't possibly have just one favourite, but The Little Prince is permanently among those at the top of the list, and War and Peace is pretty high up too. I loved The Fountainhead more than Atlas Shrugged, but grew out of Ayn Rand fairly quickly. A childhood favourite which has lasted is The Little White Horse by Elizabeth Goudge.
DeleteNice one
ReplyDeleteOh I love the Alchemist Such a wise piece of writing about the symbols and signs we get and that the truth is closer to us than we think. Nice fact Paulo Coelho birthday is on the same day as mine :)
ReplyDeleteOh yes, that IS a nice fact! Yes, I think many of us love The Alchemist.
DeleteFresh and original writing Rosemary, so well crafted, neatly done and with a telling message too. Regards as ever Scott
ReplyDeleteThank you, Scott!
DeleteYour book piqued my interest. Over the years, I read many books, indeed, but those of my childhood filled me most with wonder. Books were my friends, the known and lesser known such as enthralling tales taking me inside a cat's world or into the life of an ordinary woman who slowly grew to be miserly to the point of insanity. So many fiction and later non-fiction stories stuck with me even after I forgot their titles. As for the most elegant of poetic prose, The Diary of Anais Nin, although this is not the title I chose.
ReplyDeleteYes, books were my childhood friends too! And I agree about Anais Nin's writing.
DeleteEnding with gold keeps me curious. I don't know the book but for this scene that you have given my mind to see.
ReplyDeleteWell, alchemists were said to be able to turn lead into gold, lol. Many commentators now think it was a spiritual transformation which was referred to in those terms.
DeleteIt's a lovely book; I'm sure you'd love it too. Apart from incorporating the title, my poem has nothing to do with it!
Well, I guess if they want to be recognized as an alchemist I won't argue with them. Growing up I learned the saying, "If a person is convinced against the will then the person is of the same opinion still."
ReplyDeleteWe were writing a "Heroic Sonnet " and the host wanted 18 lines, but didn't ask for that he said variations were okay. He didn't mention number of lines, I took him at his will. I didn't argue, I just added eight more lines.
..
I love your lack of argumentativeness, dear Jim! (While still going, as we used to say, 'your own sweet way.')
DeleteYour alchemist is not what one I had in mind. In fact you met two. :)
ReplyDeleteI do not really have any favourite book, but I read mostly science fiction and American poetry. Perhaps I can mention "The Moon is a Harsh Mistress" by Robert A. Heinlein.
I used to love Heinlein, but I seem to have missed that one. I'm sure it's not too late for me to catch up.
DeleteGot it in Kindle!
Delete😀
DeleteI am going to recommend this book to my Book Club which has been in existence for thirty plus years ... members filtering in and out thru the years, with one original remaining! I don't believe it has been read, but the Original will remember. Your poem is a treasure (like gold.)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Helen. What a good use for my poem, to spark this lovely plan!
DeleteOops, that was me, replying on my phone where apparently I wasn’t logged in to Google.
DeleteAlchemist is one among my favorites too, I have linked another one by Paulo. And I liked the way how you see alchemy in daily life. Good one Rosemary
DeleteThanks, Jossina. But it was not that I saw alchemy that way, so much as being informed that the name is applied – quite seriously, professionally and legally – to a particular method of herbalism.
DeleteMy second choice was The Alchemist! I find it interesting how enjoyable it is, yet it is considered, by some at least, to be for the faithful. I find it's more of a parable.
ReplyDeleteYes, you're right, I said fable but I do see it as a parable.
DeleteNot sure why herbalists would want to be called alchemists, but whatever floats their boat. Nice poem.
ReplyDeleteI think it was to do with the specific training they had and the methods of distillation. Even in ancient times, the whole turning lead into gold thing was supposedly a thing to aspire to at the end of a very long learning how to transform various natural substances. Alchemy was the forerunner of chemistry and its more mundane aim was to create elixirs. Glad you liked the poem anyway.
DeleteLove the explanation, Rosemary.
DeleteI love what your poem says about the art of healing, about the heart of those called to it. Riches are nice, but healing is a treasure that keeps on giving.
ReplyDeleteA wise perception; thank you.
Delete