The Wind Sings Welcome in Early Spring by Carl Sandburg(For Paula) The grip of the ice is gone now.The silvers chase purple.The purples tag silver.They let out their runnersHere where summer says to the lilies:“Wish and be wistful,Circle this wind-hunted, wind-sung water.” Come along always, come along now.You for me, kiss me, pull me by … Read more
Lady in Field of Lilies, Octavio OcampoFlower God, God Of The Springby Robert Louis Stevenson Flower god, god of the spring, beautiful, bountiful,Cold-dyed shield in the sky, lover of versicles,Here I wander in AprilCold, grey-headed; and still to myHeart, Spring comes with a bound, Spring the deliverer,Spring, song-leader in woods, chorally resonant;Spring, flower-planter in meadows,Child-conductor … Read more
Resurrection Rag Lyrics by Robert Hunter Music by Merl Saunders In ruby light of crescent moonCalm in the aftermath of doomWines twine roundThe slice of a knifeFlowers, seedsTraces of life A wind from the westPlays flute on the holesOf ash blue cratersMelody rollsThe voice of the songSo strangely like youWhen the moon was whiteAnd the … Read more
from Gitanjali – Song Offerings by Rabindranath Tagore Thou hast made me endless, such is thy pleasure. This frailvessel thou emptiest again and again, and fillest it ever withfresh life. This little flute of a reed thou hast carried over hills anddales, and hast breathed through it melodies eternally new. At the immortal touch of … Read more
God Says Yes to Meby Kaylin Haughtfrom The Palm of Your Hand © 1995 I asked God if it was okay to be melodramaticAnd she said yesI asked her if it was okay to be shortAnd she said it sure isI asked her if I could wear nail polishOr not wear nail polishAnd she said … Read more
Red Bird Explains Himself — Mary Oliver “Yes, I was the brilliance floating over the snowand I was the song in the summer leaves, but this wasonly the first trickI had hold of among my other mythologies,for I also knew obedience: bring sticks to the nest,food to the young, kisses to my bride. But don’t … Read more
My SongRabindranath TagoreThis song of mine will wind its music around you,my child, like the fond arms of love. The song of mine will touch your foreheadlike a kiss of blessing. When you are alone it will sit by your side andwhisper in your ear, when you are in the crowdit will fence you about … Read more
Many thanks to Sybil Archibald, the sumptuously gifted artist known as “Painter of Blue” on Twitter, for sharing this the other day. Obviously, she is also a discerning connoisseur of poetry.Intimate Hymnfrom Human, God’s Ineffable Name, by Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel,translated by Rabbi Zalman M. Schachter-Shalomi From word to word I roam, from dawn to … Read more
The Waking— Theodore Roethke I wake to sleep, and take my waking slow.I feel my fate in what I cannot fear.I learn by going where I have to go. We think by feeling. What is there to know?I hear my being dance from ear to ear.I wake to sleep, and take my waking slow. Of … Read more
It Is Time to Wake Up! — Hafiz (1320-1389) Hey you, parrot! Speaking in riddles,Sugar wouldn’t melt in your mouth! Clear your head so your heart will be happy,And then mimic the words of the Beloved! To everyone who walks by, you have given mixed messages;For God’s sake, tell us something we don’t know. O … Read more