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Saturday Sonnets - The Call by Charlotte Mew

Every saturday I hope to bring a poem or verse to you all that I have enjoyed or found has resonated with me.  Today's one is from the recent SCP conference I attended.

The Call
From our low seat beside the fire
Where we have dozed and dreamed and watched the glow
Or raked the ashes, stopping so
We scarcely saw the sun or rain
Above, or looked much higher
Than this same quiet red or burned-out fire.
Tonight we heard a call,
A rattle on the window pane,
A voice on the sharp air,
And felt a breath stirring our hair,
A flame within us: Something swift and tall
Swept in and out and that was all.
Was it a bright or a dark angel? Who can know?
It left no mark upon the snow,
But suddenly it snapped the chain
Unbarred, flung wide the door
Which will not shut again;
And so we cannot sit here any more.
We must arise and go:
The world is cold without
And dark and hedged about
With mystery and enmity and doubt,
But we must go
Though yet we do not know
Who called, or what marks we shall leave upon the snow.
Charlotte Mew (1869-1928)
I find this particular poem reflects my personal feelings very well.  It can be applied to many situations, when you feel the call to do any task or job. 
Life can easily lead to laziness and routine, just sitting there watching what was the fire of passion for what you are doing in your life slowly burn out, just treading along focussed on the task of keeping it going. (lines 1-6)
Then suddenly something happens, you feel the call to do something, you're not quite sure where it has come from but suddenly your passion is reignited, this passion is unrelated to your existing flame but it is burning brightly and hot and is enthralling..  You don't know whether this thing will brign your happiness or sadness (A bright or dark angel) but you must explore it further. 
The call to do something new is so powerful that you can't turn away from it.  The door is flung wide and you must leave your dull routine and explore something new.  You don't know if the route will be safe, nor how people will react to your wanting to change yet still you must go and find what it is that you are called to do.
The call itself leaves no mark upon the snow because you are unsure where it comes from. It isn't going to affect anyone around you, it is solely for yourself.  But that doesn't mean that by following it you won't affect others, making a lasting impression upon them - leaving marks upon the snow.

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