Sometimes it is the sheer love of an unusual word or name which can inspire a poem. That’s certainly the case with W.J. Turner’s poem Romance which simply revels in the names of volcanoes.
Romance by W.J. Turner
When I was but thirteen or so
I went into a golden land,
Chimborazo, Cotopaxi
Took me by the hand.
My father died, my brother too,
They passed like fleeting dreams,
I stood where Popocatapetl
In the sunlight gleams.
I dimly heard the master’s voice
And boys far-off at play,
Chimborazo, Cotopaxi
Had stolen me away.
I walked in a great golden dream
To and fro from school–
Shining Popocatapetl
The dusty streets did rule.
I walked home with a gold dark boy,
And never a word I’d say,
Chimborazo, Cotopaxi
Had taken my speech away:
I gazed entranced upon his face
Fairer than any flower–
O shining Popocatapetl
It was thy magic hour:
The houses, people, traffic seemed
Thin fading dreams by day,
Chimborazo, Cotopaxi
They had stolen my soul away!
Walter James Turner (1884 – 1946) was born in Australia and grew up in Melbourne. He left for England in 1907 to pursue a literary career. He had a deep love of music and wrote many books on that subject, gaining a reputation as an esteemed musical biographer. His poetry was greatly admired by W.B. Yeats.
Romance, the best known of his poems, was written in 1916.
The poem repeatedly mentions the names of three mountains – Chimborazo and Cotopaxi are in Ecuador, while Popocatépetl is in Mexico. In the poem, the poet is a thirteen-year-old boy, doing his schoolwork. He has lost his father and his brother. We don’t know if he had actually seen the volcanoes, or simply heard vivid descriptions of them, but their names are sheer magic to the boy. They are such fabulously evocative names, with Popocatépetl a nice counterpoint to the other two.
Some critics have said it is a poem memorable only for those three names, but I feel that, like the volcanoes, it has a deep power, paying tribute to the magic of words and the strength of the imagination to take us away from our ordinary surroundings and tasks. It also makes us feel the power and majesty of peaks. According to one account I found on-line, it inspired one boy reader to become a mountain climber. I’ve no desire whatsoever to scale mountains, but I would love to see these three peaks, simply because of their names and this poem. Its wonderful musicality meant that it was a favourite with teachers setting it for rote-learning in schools.
Does nature inspire your love of literature? Have you ever wanted to climb mountains? Tell me what you think by leaving a comment.
You can listen to the poem being read here:
Comments are moderated, and will not appear until approved.
[DISPLAY_ULTIMATE_PLUS]
Joel Michel
I was indeed that 13 year old schoolboy in 1972 when our English teacher read it out loud to us.There is something magical about it,the way it feeds your imagination.
I can see the author’s musical connection as part of the poem’s magic is the rhythmic musicality of the words and the other-worldly sense in the names of the 3 volcanoes.
The author was inspired.
Susannah Fullerton
Yes, fabulous ‘scope for the imagination’ in this poem, and the sheer magic of sounds! I am glad it brought back memories for you.
Adrian Leigh
We stopped at a Guest House in N Wales over the weekend , and in our room was a framed photograph of Cotopaxi . It instantly brought back forgotten memories from 60 years ago , when my mother gave me an old , well worn book of poems and told me to read this one . It was obviously one that she had read when she was in school herself . She was a teacher and must have read this to her class as well .
This has brought back wonderful memories for me
Many thanks
Susannah Fullerton
That’s lovely to hear. Thanks for sharing.
Rich Merne
Hi, It ranks as one of my favourite poems of all times, I cannot really explain why but do I need to.
I have always loved it even since my own childhood, there is something magical about it.
Rich Merne
Susannah Fullerton
I think it is ahrd to define exactly why this poem is so magical – the glorious sound of the mountain names, the sadness of the boy who is escaping to foreign and exotic lands, the way it captures the sorts of dreams that make us want to travel? Whatever it is, it’s a fabulous poem and I’m glad you love it too.
Marian Smith
I had to find this poem for my 80 year old step mother as she learnt it by rote at school. She could remember the names of the volcanoes but not every verse and was very happy when I tracked it down on the internet! Her maiden name was Turner so she had a link with the author too! On her bucket list was a trip to Ecuador but Covid put paid to that and then cancer prevented her travelling. Sadly she passed away this week aged 85 and I will miss her very much.
At her burial I will read this poem as it embodies her love of mountains, travel, music and Literature . A lovely lady who is missed by all who knew her. Rest in peace Jill.
Susannah Fullerton
Thanks you for sharing this story and my sincere condolences on your loss. I hope others at her burial might also know and love the poem. She sounds like a wonderful woman with a love of travel and adventure and beautiful words.
ZORAN SULC
This poem suddenly came to mind as I’m trying to summon up the will to change into my nightclothes in a freezing house and so gave me a reason to delay as I sought it out. I heard it recited years ago – it must have been on radio 4 – not declaimed like those performances found on Youtube but spoken softly, dreamily in a gentle male voice – with the z in Chimborazo pronounced “dz”. And so I spoke it in that way – it is beautiful.
Susannah Fullerton
It i a lovely poem and it’s always interesting to listen to different ways of reading it. I am glad it brought back nice memories for you.
John Mathew
It is a gem. A lonely bereaved boy gifs solace in a vivid evocative dream of a foreign land, which becomes personified. I am pretty sure Turner never visited latin America but I suspect his father and brother died as we tells us.
I have some access to the archives of Scotch Colege in Melbourne, which he attended. I will try to find out more.
sundarika
I was about fourteen years when my teacher recited this poem and I learnt it by heart.
I loved it, so romantic and also a bit sad. I will never forget Chimabarazo cotapaxi and Popacatapetl-they were a part of my young life. I am so grateful to my teacher who inculcated a love of poetry in me. Thank you for this.
Susannah Fullerton
Poems learned and loved at school really do stick with us, and bring back fabulous memories.I’m so glad you enjoyed reaidng this wonderful poem again. If you sign up for my free newsletter, Notes from a Book Addict, you will get a great poem every month.
Yvonne b
Lying in my bed as an 84 year old was won’t d
To do.i remembered to words chimborazo Cotopaxi. Ì grew up in a British colony and learnt different styles of poetry.those words heat haunting me.a friend googled them for me.ifound the poem thank you thank you
Susannah Fullerton
I am so thrileld that the poem brought back good memories for you. Thank you for your kind words.
Penny Doorbar
I heard this poem when I was at school and so loved the word Popacatapetl that I eventually got to see it with my husband in 1973. We went by bus with all the locals and their animals but unfortunately the volcano was covered in cloud when we arrived. My husband was used to five star travel with his job so never forgave me for all the places I made him see in Mexico and Guatemala!
Susannah Fullerton
Oh you are lucky to have Popacatapetl. I so love the name!!! I think your husband was actually very lucky indeed!
Karen Ramrakha
Lovely!
Thank you Susannah.
Karen.
Susannah Fullerton
So glad you liked it.
Maureen Watson
Thank you Susannah
It is truly wonderful the way you open
up so many interesting things and people.
I really like the words in this poem and the
presentation was so masterful
from Maureen Watson
Susannah Fullerton
Isn’t it a wonderful poem – so glad you enjoyed it and I’ve introduced you to something new.
Penny Morris
Lovely poem, thank you. Not a poet I am familiar with but will look into more.
Susannah Fullerton
So glad you enjoyed the poem.
Helen
Thanks for the poem Susan – when I was little (a looooong time ago) we had a guinea pig which we called Popacatapetl. I had no idea it was the name of a mountain. The word must have come from something my mother read, perhaps this very poem as she loved poetry, but reading this evoked memories of my childhood and of course the guinea pigs, another of whom was called bizarrely, Tosherunavitchonberg 🙂
Susannah Fullerton
What absolutely fabulous names for guinea pigs!!! Surely your Mum must have read the poem. Anyway, I am delighted you enjoyed it.
Janet Leighton
YES I ptoo say a big thankyou dear Susannah. Loved hearing that beautiful poem recited so meaningfully …….you continually open a treasure chest for us
Janet Leighton
Susannah Fullerton
Janet, you are so kind. I am getting a great response to the poem, so it has clearly struck a chord with my newsletter readers.
Hope you are well?
Maria
Thank you Susannah for introducing me to this marvellous poem and the gloriously named volcanoes.
Susannah Fullerton
Isn’t it fabulous.
By an amazing coincidence, my screesaver picture as from yesterday was of the mountain Cotopaxi, so I will be reminded of the poem every time I open my laptop.