In these times, we are encouraged to be cautious, but not fearful; courageous, but not foolhardy; steadfast, but not stubborn. In other words, the wisdom seems to be: Take the prudent middle ground, in our actions and in how we deal with our emotions.
But isn’t poetry passionate, doesn’t it express strong, explosive feelings? How can anyone make poetry out of the middle way? How could a writer be lyrical about moderation? The great model of that accomplishment is the Roman poet Horace. Here is one of his odes, as translated by David Ferry:
TO LICINIUS (Horace, Odes II, 10) You’ll do better, Licinius, not to spend your life
Venturing too far out on the dangerous waters,
Or else, for fear of storms, staying too close in
To the dangerous rocky shoreline. That man does best
Who chooses the middle way, so he doesn’t end up
Living under a roof that’s going to ruin
Or in some gorgeous mansion everyone envies.
The tallest pine shakes most in a wind storm;
The loftiest tower falls down with the loudest crash;
The lightning bolt heads straight for the mountain top.
Always expect reversals; be hopeful in trouble,
Be worried when things go well. That’s how it is
For the man whose heart is ready for anything.
It’s true that Jupiter brings on the hard winters;
It’s also true that Jupiter takes them away.
If things are bad right now, they won’t always be.
Apollo isn’t always drawing his bow;
There are times when he takes up his lyre and plays,
And awakens the music sleeping upon the strings.
Be resolute when things are going against you,
But shorten sail when the fair wind blows too strong.
