Warrior Poet
Been working with Josh Baird (art teacher) at Kanab High to set up the “medialab.” The other day he told me about warrior poets. I’d like to be one…
In ancient Ireland, the Fianna were legendary warriors. Those who would join them were required to be able to demonstrate strength, agility, and courage - and to be skilled poets.
In feudal Japan, a samurai was expected to master not only the use of weapons, but the arts of calligraphy and poetry. They called this the “Way of Sword and Brush”.
During the European age of chivalry, knights - perhaps inspired by Arabian tradition - sought to develop prowess in war and skill on horseback, but also admired the gift of eloquence and the art of poetry.
This is the tradition of the Warrior Poet: the man or woman of action and eloquence, possessed of a fearless passion for life, self-disciplined but open of heart, striving to cultivate that elusive quality known to the ancient Greeks as “areté” - virtue, or excellence.
