CMP Review 2026-02-05

February 5, 2026

A cherished ritual of the Charlotte Mason Poetry team retreat is the poetry discussion. We select a poet for the year and have many months to prepare. I linger on the poems and write down my observations. Eventually I draw my conclusions, affective and analytical, or a blurring of the two.

One year was Emily Brontë, followed by Charlotte Brontë. Our choice for 2026 is perhaps a logical choice, Anne Brontë.

But I feel guided by something other than logic. Emily led me to shadowy places where I could see and hear my fears. Charlotte pointed me to light shining in those places and showed me the poetry behind the novels I love so much. My heart now wants to see what the third sister will say.

I don’t want to read only poems. I want to read The Tenant. I want to read the life. This year, at least, I’m in search of Anne. My logic says I should. My heart says I must.

@artmiddlekauff