A Poem for Thought: William Blake

A wonderfully thought provoking poem by an extraordinary man.

This poem was first brought to my attention on the television show ‘The Mentalist‘. The second season finale puts the main character Patrick Jane in the path of(who they believe is) the serial killer that brutally murdered his wife and daughter. The poem is recited as a reminder to Jane that you can’t have good without evil.

I don’t normally include movies and television in my posts but.. I highly recommend this show.
For fans of ‘Criminal Minds‘, ‘Castle‘, or ‘Rizzoli and Isles‘.. You’ll love this! Patrick is a hilarious, highly intelligent character with a disturbing past and fantastic ability to start trouble.

Born in London, William Blake spent most of his career as an engraver and illustrator. Gifted from boyhood in art and poetry, Blake was considered a visionary for his many attempts to bring about change in the social order and the minds of his peers.

While Blake’s work was generally dismissed in his lifetime, it’s popularity has only continued to increase throughout the years.

The Tyger

Tyger Tyger, burning bright,
In the forests of the night;
What immortal hand or eye,
Could frame thy fearful symmetry?

In what distant deeps or skies.
Burnt the fire of thine eyes?
On what wings dare he aspire?
What the hand, dare seize the fire?

And what shoulder, & what art,
Could twist the sinews of thy heart?
And when thy heart began to beat,
What dread hand? & what dread feet?

What the hammer? what the chain,
In what furnace was thy brain?
What the anvil? what dread grasp,
Dare its deadly terrors clasp!

When the stars threw down their spears
And water’d heaven with their tears:
Did he smile his work to see?
Did he who made the Lamb make thee?

Tyger Tyger burning bright,
In the forests of the night:
What immortal hand or eye,
Dare frame thy fearful symmetry?