The Life of William Blake
1 1779
As of today I am now twenty-one years old. I feel like a new page is opening for me. A
blank, white page. And it is up to me to fill it with whatever I desire. Likewise my apprenticeship is
done, and in a couple of days I’ll be off to my own way. A while ago I thought I would just spend the
rest of my life painting. Mixing colors, putting what I see on paper, and toping it all with a piece of my soul.
Don’t get me wrong, I still want that for myself. But for now I want to work with books and
prints. They are just so enchanting, like they are magic. Although since I also want to get better at
painting I’ve been admitted to the Royal Academy of Art's Schools of Design. They said if I kept my
pace at this and keep on improving my artwork will be exhibited no later than just next year. It looks
like I’ll love being twenty-one.
1783
I feel like my life has come to turning point where whatever I do, no matter how ridiculous or
risk taking, I must stand with it. That is basically why I decided to publish the poems that I have
written over the last fourteen years. I call them “Political Sketches” for whatever they are worth. Not
many knows about me publishing them, or them existing really for that matter. I choose not to be
public, just because. Maybe subconsciously I don’t trust myself enough.
Other than that something marvellous has happened, August 1782, I married Catherine
Sophia Boucher. Whom I am very fond of her, she is very supportive and believes in me, my ideas,
and my visions. At the moment I am teaching her how to read, write, draw, and colour. And since
she believes in my visions so much, I am also trying to help her see visions similar to mine.
1787
Once again you are with me on an occasion that means a great deal to me. This time
though, it’s sad and traumatising. My brother Robert, who I very much loved, just died because of
tuberculosis. He was just so young, only twenty-four, I can’t help but feel sad. But I guess that’s
life, and that is also how we are defined; by how we deal with the sad and traumatising things in
our lives.
In other news, I had another vision. Weirdly enough it was the same moment as Robert
died. At first I thought what I was seeing was Robert’s spirit, but as it turns out it was my own. It
was ascending. It looked joyous. I can still see it when I close my eyes. I might start working with
this idea in my poetry. That will be interesting.
1800
A couple weeks ago I got an invitation from one of the poets, William Hayley. The invitation
was for me to move to the little seaside village of Felpham and work as his protégé. I have been
considering offer carefully. After all it doesn’t just effect me, but Catherine too. We will leave our
home, move on to something totally new. Although I’m sure Hayley will make us feel welcome, it’s
still the unknown for us. And what will become of us if later on Hayley and my relationship begin to
sour? There are a lot of questions and far less answers than I would like.
On the other hand I can’t deny that this is a great opportunity for me to develop my writing.
If I were still on my own I would take the offer on the first day. We will have one last discussion
about this with Catherine, the final decision will be made then.
