poetry calendar
I've had poem a day calendar on my desk all year, "Poetry Speaks." I've really enjoyed some of the poems and quotes that I've come across.
"Poetry has an intensity about it, which is one of its loveliest qualities, but that's also the thing that fatigues you when you're working on it. There's a pitch of emotion in poems that you must rise to. Every time you work on the poem you must rise to it again." --Jane Kenyon
I think that quote nails it. That fatiguing intensity is the thing that limits how long or how many poems I can read at one sitting.
I've never read any of James Joyce's poetry before, but I love this poem...the second part reminds me of Twilight for obvious reasons. :-P
From "Chamber Music" (This is from two different calendar days so I don't know what the whole poem looks like.)
1
Strings in the earth and air
Make music sweet;
Strings by the river where
The willows meet.
There's music along the river
For Love wanders there,
pale flowers on his mantle,
Dark leaves on his hair.
All softly playing,
With head to the music bent,
And fingers straying
Upon an instrument
2
The twilight turns from amethyst
To deep and deeper blue,
The lamp fills with a pale green glow
The trees of the avenue.
The old piano plays an air,
Sedate and slow and gay;
She bends upon the yellow keys,
Her head inclines this way.
Shy thought and grave wide eyes and hands
That wander as they list--
The twilight turns to darker blue
With lights of amethyst.
Have a great day!
"Poetry has an intensity about it, which is one of its loveliest qualities, but that's also the thing that fatigues you when you're working on it. There's a pitch of emotion in poems that you must rise to. Every time you work on the poem you must rise to it again." --Jane Kenyon
I think that quote nails it. That fatiguing intensity is the thing that limits how long or how many poems I can read at one sitting.
I've never read any of James Joyce's poetry before, but I love this poem...the second part reminds me of Twilight for obvious reasons. :-P
From "Chamber Music" (This is from two different calendar days so I don't know what the whole poem looks like.)
1
Strings in the earth and air
Make music sweet;
Strings by the river where
The willows meet.
There's music along the river
For Love wanders there,
pale flowers on his mantle,
Dark leaves on his hair.
All softly playing,
With head to the music bent,
And fingers straying
Upon an instrument
2
The twilight turns from amethyst
To deep and deeper blue,
The lamp fills with a pale green glow
The trees of the avenue.
The old piano plays an air,
Sedate and slow and gay;
She bends upon the yellow keys,
Her head inclines this way.
Shy thought and grave wide eyes and hands
That wander as they list--
The twilight turns to darker blue
With lights of amethyst.
Have a great day!