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Rate this poem:4.3 / 52 votes
Where's the Poet? show him! show him,
Muses nine! that I may know him.
'Tis the man who with a man
Is an equal, be he King,
Or poorest of the beggar-clan
Or any other wonderous thing
A man may be 'twixt ape and Plato;
'Tis the man who with a bird,
Wren or Eagle, finds his way to
All its instincts; he hath heard
The Lion's roaring, and can tell
What his horny throat expresseth,
And to him the Tiger's yell
Come articulate and presseth
Or his ear like mother-tongue.

About this poem

"Fragment. Where's The Poet?" is a poem by John Keats. In this piece, Keats reflects on the role and state of the poet in the modern world. The poem suggests a sense of disillusionment and disconnection, questioning the poet's place in a society that may not fully appreciate or understand the poetic vision. Eliot's work often explores themes of modernity, isolation, and the challenges faced by artists in the changing landscape of the 20th century.

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Modified by acronimous on February 13, 2024

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John Keats

1821 · Rome

John Keats was an English Romantic poet. more…

All John Keats poems | John Keats Books

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Discuss the poem Fragment. Where's The Poet? with the community...

55 Comments
  • Wordstash
    Wonderful
    LikeReply10 days ago
  • jonsaviours
    Every man is a poet
    LikeReply15 days ago
  • ravixalgorithm
    Its an amazing poem with a very deep meaning, about the status of poets in society
    LikeReply26 days ago
  • karlcfolkes
    I agree with John Keats’ confessional poem, “Fragment” with its subtitle, “Where’s the Poet?” In this poem Keats shows how by human nature we are all fragments; we’re broken shards in our personalities, whether we be princes or paupers. In this matter he invites us to probe where the poet, as orator of the human soul, is in this solemn matter. In fact, he’s actually asking all of us as presumptively ‘Homo Sapiens’ to examine ourselves and our audacious nature. There was one such poet, the Modernist twentieth century mercurial Portuguese poet, Fernando Pessoa, who eloquently described this gross fragmentation in human nature by depicting it with many heteronyms (fragmented multiple selves) or multiple personalities in his particular genre of poetry. In recognition of this confessional insight, and more so to honor Pessoa (and upon reflection, John Keats), I’ve composed and placed online on poetry.com my poem called “Nested Heteronyms of the Dreamworld.” I hope readers will have a chance to read it and see in it a close connection with John Keats’ own work. 
    LikeReply1 month ago
  • nelzealoursmotoe1
    Not getting tired reading this poem
    LikeReply1 month ago
  • nelzealoursmotoe1
    I like how the achaic language was utilised in this poem. It brings back some old poems to mind.
    LikeReply2 months ago
  • Pruett1023
    I enjoyed reading your post. Keep up the good work.
    LikeReply3 months ago
  • Shocam
    Great work by John Keats
    LikeReply3 months ago
  • Shocam
    Great poemby John Keats
    LikeReply3 months ago
  • karlcfolkes
    Indeed! Be we, in the stations of our lives, like princes or paupers, we are all poets — at the behest of our muses.
    LikeReply3 months ago
  • thes.43263
    Just a lovely poem
    LikeReply3 months ago
  • kazbrekker
    You just gotta love John Keats and his writings. I really like that King and begger part
    LikeReply3 months ago
  • alvinl.62833
    By the power of the nine Muses, a poet can fathom and describe mysteries.
    LikeReply3 months ago
  • ezrayoungboy
    i like the meter reinforcing the urgent cadence, especially so quickly within the first few lines of this piece
    LikeReply3 months ago
  • thesettler
    Does this patent your writings? I have a collection over 20 yrs.

    I received this letyer in 2002.
    LikeReply3 months ago
  • Emile
    I loved the king or beggar part a lot
    LikeReply3 months ago
  • devparth9784
    nice
    LikeReply4 months ago
  • karlcfolkes
    Powerful opening lines. All poets are subjects of the Grecian muses nine.
    LikeReply4 months ago
  • TRRavenscroft
    A very good poem.
    LikeReply4 months ago
  • aliciam.47728
    Great poem
    LikeReply4 months ago
  • JLane
    A very interesting poem.
    LikeReply4 months ago
  • jackg.26131
    a man may be twixt'd ape and Plato; what a glorious line
    LikeReply4 months ago
  • Sallys.Jack
    To be nowhere and everywhere to be near to be far nice read
    LikeReply4 months ago
  • MaliMis1986
    Very interesting poem to read!!

    Keep up the amazing work in your writing!
    LikeReply5 months ago
    • jonsaviours
      unfortunately Keats died in Rome 203 years ago.
      LikeReply 34 months ago
  • moonlitrose
    great poem
    LikeReply5 months ago
  • vandhana_k
    Good idea.
    LikeReply6 months ago
  • davidm.61508
    Who is Eliot? Was this copied and pasted?
    LikeReply6 months ago
  • nooshin
    Keats beautifully and cleverly answers the question he himself puts forward: the poet is everywhere and nowhere... can we show him/her? yes... and no! s/he is everywhere... can understand people of all walks of life... can understand the language of beasts like his/her own mother tongue... this encompassing presence gives the poet a godlike role... 
    LikeReply6 months ago
  • yuliana_r
    "Me encanta este poema porque representa el retrato más auténtico de situaciones de la vida real con el que personas de todo el mundo pueden identificarse. Sólo necesitas creer en ti mismo".
    LikeReply7 months ago
  • baqir_b
    His poetry tremendously extends the beauty of nature in every deep character looks natural.
    LikeReply 27 months ago
  • LesleyJane
    Love Keats and my interpretation is that anyone can express words on paper, be it pauper or king that will touch the hearts of those who read it. So, roar like the lion and be heard.
    LikeReply8 months ago
  • amandak.45897
    powerful, thank u for sharing
    LikeReply8 months ago
  • alanswansea18
    Beautiful piece of work.
    LikeReply9 months ago
  • lokeish_u
    Awesome
    LikeReply9 months ago
  • willied.86748
    At first I had to re-read the poem to grasp what Eliot was eluding too, the Poet in my estimation is a sort of watchman, not gender specific but in the biblical sense pointing out the troubles or issues that abound in the life of it's people, sort of sounding the trumpet and is not bound by status or title as it were. Willie Dean, Jr. Poet 
    LikeReply9 months ago
  • alanswansea18
    Beautiful piece of work.
    LikeReply10 months ago
  • Reil
    Likely my earlier comments are more useful and agreeable, knowing that the main idea of what I am pointing out, is if a poet; who are you and I in this case; are to benefit from the advice to speak our minds-then live it. But look to yourself, inward through contemplation, inward speaking to yourself speaking to Deity, and by Journaling into a place where you better feel protected from anyone else's viewing. Check yourself in a few days, hours, months and years correct it and be perfected in poetic messages of significance, and clarity. You'll sort through your own mental delusions and have a captive audience that at the end of the reading, has no reason to question your desire to connect with them by using things or animals which are both inhuman. Know yourself to know others, not the other way around. Anyone know what their dog is thinking aside from feed me, pet me, play with me, nap time, and I need to potty? 
    LikeReply1 year ago
  • vandhana_k
    Good.
    LikeReply1 year ago
  • Jd003984
    Beautiful
    LikeReply1 year ago
  • vandhana_k
    Good, god.
    LikeReply 11 year ago
  • yomihabib
    Nice
    LikeReply1 year ago
  • yomihabib
    Beautiful
    LikeReply1 year ago
  • vandhana_k
    Good sir panther.
    LikeReply1 year ago
  • garden
    For those who didn't grasp the full picture of this masterpiece here's a small summary

    This poem, explores the idea of what it means to be a true poet. The speaker calls upon the Muses to help him find the poet, who is described as someone who can connect with all living things - from other people, regardless of their social status, to animals, and even to the primal instincts of wild beasts. The poet is someone who can understand and interpret the natural world in a way that is both instinctual and intellectual.

    Emerson's poem emphasizes the importance of the poet's ability to connect with the world around them and to express those connections through their art. The poem suggests that the true poet is someone who is able to transcend the boundaries of human experience and connect with the universal experiences that exist in all living things.
     
    LikeReply 31 year ago
  • jeremyt.40101
    I really like this poem. The conceit is good, I just think it could use a little more refinement.
    LikeReply1 year ago
  • vandhana_k
    Rule on my friend.
    LikeReply1 year ago
  • yomihabib
    This is a song along.Nice poem!
    LikeReply1 year ago
  • Reil
    Its odd to me that this poet is offending not to know where the poet is. Every line he reveals another perspective where he is envisioning himself or another being; simply being in the imagined state, or listening to something specific. I think I disagree that any of these figures of example works on the surface to demonstrate the location of a poet. OK lets consider he is so practiced in his philosophical roll playing and does in fact want this work to serve a purpose of value by inspiring others to ponder there own equivalence to the set stages he windows open in front of himself in front of us. So as to subconsciously place the realization we are found everywhere (said missing poet(s)), in fact here I am. You know it just dawned on me I was already a poet and likely would have done more good explaining the wisdom of one humans considerations to others so they stop getting so hung up on the literal impossibility of existing in any of those places or that if you could that it would be the recipe for ascertainment of the designation; poet. I feel better now. 
    LikeReply1 year ago
  • kimba75
    Great! Poetry can come from all walks of life.
    LikeReply1 year ago
  • jerrywlawrence2666
    Classic. There Is A Genius Presented That I Oft Strive 4.
    LikeReply1 year ago
  • aloo.denish3
    Wow, wonderful poem.... Where's the poet?
    LikeReply1 year ago
  • author177
    The poet is everywhere no matter the class
    LikeReply1 year ago
  • luisestable1
    This seems to be saying: These are where the poet is found. This is what my reading tells me.
    Some uniqueness in the lines is seen.
    Good poem!
    LikeReply1 year ago
  • carloss.69843
    He was looking for himself thru introspection while deflecting himself thru frustration while including himself to be as equal as king or or those he observed as poor while drifting in his mind as as a bird observing his own swift instinct thru observation. Cool. Poem 
    LikeReply1 year ago
  • PatriciaAdams
    PatriciaAdams
    Good
    LikeReply2 years ago

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