This week in our special series of poems to help us through the testing times ahead, Michelle Barrett, The Reader's Liverpool Hub Leader, shares her thoughts on Mutability by Percy Bysshe Shelley.
I've never before read Mutability. I discovered the poem flicking through some old poetry collections, wanting a break from the book I'm currently reading. Some poems possess that strange power of finding their way onto your lap at a time when words seem to fail your feelings. These poems have the power to bolden newly ordered thoughts.
The concept of 'change' has been on my mind for a while, but more-so, as we spend an increasing amount of time in isolation- this paradoxical world of being rooted whilst the world seemingly shifts.
Spring is my favourite time of the year and I had been excitedly anticipating change- the clocks going forward, being able to catch sunrise and sunset outside of working hours, the buzz filled, sweet scented air of beaches and beer gardens. Then of course the severity of the pandemic dawned and we entered lockdown and suddenly my concept of change 'changed'!
This change can feel out of control, pressurised and uncertain as we await the outcome of decisions made on our behalf, as we ponder our strange new life from a queue to enter the supermarket.
However the world continues to turn and spring in it's own chaotic sense- continues to prevail amidst the uncertainty. And although spring comes as predicted every year- the change feels transformative and new. There is power in change and may we be bold enough to peer into the future with hope for real mutability.
