Imagination takes us into a realm of eternal bliss. It is a never-ending story weaved upon our wildest thoughts, our innermost passions, our fanciful hopes and dreams. It is not of this world. There is nothing to measure, or hold. It remains a drift in patterns of sweet joy, and anticipation. John Keates uses imagination as a catalyst for his poem, Ode on a Grecian Urn. He captures the essence of Romanticism, yet allows the reader to find himself stuck back into realism; a place we all wish to escape.
             One object, sits before us. An urn that is painted with footprints of history. A history, we can all relate to. And a story that we can tell as our own. The message is frozen, but we are carried away into "A flowery tale more sweetly than our rhyme." (Keates, I, 4) The urn has an untouched quietness. It sits there motionless, yet it expresses thoughts and emotions. Imagery is a techniquie that is widely used throughout the poem. This allows the reader to relate to it in their own way. His use of the phrases: "What men or gods are these? What maidens loth? What mad pursuit? What struggle to escape? What pipes and timbrels? What wild ecstasy?" (Keates, I, 8-10) summarize the objective of the poem. It portrays life trapped in imagination. The urn shows a quest for a tangible end, yet time is motionless. There is a longing to flee the bondage of this stationary state of being. Even though there is a pursuit that is not desired, it secretes a joyful rapture of expectation.
             The reader breathes life into each element of the story. In stanza II it says "Heard melodies are sweet, but those unheard are sweeter; therefore, ye soft pipes play on; Not to the sensual ear, but more endear'd, pipe to the spirit ditties of no tone:" (Keates, II, 1-4) The reader is not limited by what the piper is playing, but instead is free to choose what they want to hear. It is a tune that sweeps memories into full view...