The truly creative mind
(by Pearl Buck)
The truly creative mind in any field
is no more than thisA human creature born abnormally,
inhumanly sensitive.To him a touch is a blow,
a sound is a noise,
a misfortune is a tragedy,
a joy is an ecstasy,
a friend is a lover,
a lover is a god,
and failure is death.Add to this cruelly delicate organism
the overpowering necessity to create,
create, create —- so that
without the creating
of music or poetry or books
or buildings
or something of meaning,
his very breath is cut off from him.He must create,
must pour out creation.
By some strange, unknown,
inward urgency
he is not really alive
unless he is creating.
The poem above was presented to me in the programme for the inaugural concert season of the Jamaica Young People Symphony, whose motto is “UNITY THROUGH MUSIC“. They describe their mission as being “to create an inclusive orchestra movement on the island and provide unique educational opportunities in collaboration with other music entities, for the benefit of the young people of Jamaica.” They have a way to go but appear to be led by passion.
As for me, the poem seemed well suited, because I have spent most of my spare moments this weekend working on my blog, updating the design and continuing to tweak as fragments of ideas come to me. It is not yet completed but I will continue until it is as I envision in my head.
