Preface

In ancient times, before the advent of the written word, literature was memorized and recited in poetic measure in a bardic tradition thousands of years old. When writing first entered human history about five thousand years ago the myths, legends and sacred texts were written in poetic stanzas. Then, gradually over time prose slowly replaced poetry. The Presocratic philosopher Parmenides still wrote in verse but by Plato’s time philosophy was written in prose. When poetry was the means of expression for philosophy, the philosophers were all poets. This book brings poetry and philosophy back together, giving philosophy poetic expression and making poetry philosophical.