One of the most memorable lines in English poetry, A thing of beauty is a joy forever, was written by John Keats-- who happens to be my most favorite poet of all time. By the time of his death at age 25, a victim of consumption (today known as tuberculosis), he was, despite his youth, already recognized as a master.

Since first reading that poem, and later his epic Endymion, I have always been entranced by his mastery of rhyme, the way he uses hard consonants to catch the reader's attention, his fascination with the beauty of the world and the fairy tales and mythological creatures with which we fill our imagination. The first time I ever read to my boyfriend (several ex's back) at bedtime, it was a poem by John Keats.

So it was with terrible loss that the book of poems by Keats was one of the many severely damaged by water during one of my moves. For some reason, it has taken these two or three years to replace it. Finally, however, John Keats again has his place on my bookshelf.

When I bought it at Border's last week, I sat out on the patio at Town Square in the pleasant weekend weather, watching the shoppers and browsers pass from shop to shop. I haven't written any poetry in quite a long time-- I think possibly since the time I lost my original book of Keats. As soon as I started reading those familiar verses, I was immediately inspired to write. It was amazing, like a door had been opened when I opened the cover of the book. I've always found it best to immediately write things down as they come to you, but I had no pen or paper, so I text messaged myself lines like I had not been writing these many months.

Then, I completely forgot about them until just now, skimming through my phone to delete old messages. I read them again, and was amazed to realize that they are all sad and depressing. Then I thought of the dream I had two nights ago about my dog being brutally attacked and killed. I have no clue why my thoughts are so, but I will search myself to discover the answer. I think I'm happy..... therefore I am?