Anyone can catch your eye, but it takes someone special to catch your heart.
~Author Unknown
I am better but it's a really lazy blog tonight, no words from me, just a couple of favourite poems and two pictures.
And a song from Heart, the original was by the late great Roy Orbison of course,God rest him.
First a poem, nothing to do with romance but a lot about Love.
Death of an Irishwoman
Ignorant, in the sense
she ate monotonous food
and thought the world was flat,
and pagan, in the sense
she knew the things that moved
all night were neither dogs or cats
but pucas and darkfaced men
she nevertheless had fierce pride.
But sentenced in the end
to eat thin diminishing porridge
in a stone-cold kitchen
she clenched her brittle hands
around a world
she could not understand.
I loved her from the day she died.
She was a summer dance at the crossroads.
She was a card game where a nose was broken.
She was a song that nobody sings.
She was a house ransacked by soldiers.
She was a language seldom spoken.
She was a child's purse, full of useless things.
Michael Hartnett
Ignorant, in the sense
she ate monotonous food
and thought the world was flat,
and pagan, in the sense
she knew the things that moved
all night were neither dogs or cats
but pucas and darkfaced men
she nevertheless had fierce pride.
But sentenced in the end
to eat thin diminishing porridge
in a stone-cold kitchen
she clenched her brittle hands
around a world
she could not understand.
I loved her from the day she died.
She was a summer dance at the crossroads.
She was a card game where a nose was broken.
She was a song that nobody sings.
She was a house ransacked by soldiers.
She was a language seldom spoken.
She was a child's purse, full of useless things.
Michael Hartnett
And in honour of red roses as they are the symbol of Romantic Love, a poem by my much-loved Yeats,
To The Rose Upon The Rood Of Time
Red Rose, proud Rose, sad Rose of all my days!
Come near me, while I sing the ancient ways:
Cuchulain battling with the bitter tide;
The Druid, grey, wood-nurtured, quiet-eyed,
Who cast round Fergus dreams, and ruin untold;
And thine own sadness, where of stars, grown old
In dancing silver-sandalled on the sea,
Sing in their high and lonely melody.
Come near, that no more blinded by man's fate,
I find under the boughs of love and hate,
In all poor foolish things that live a day,
Eternal beauty wandering on her way.
Come near, come near, come near - Ah, leave me still
A little space for the rose-breath to fill!
Lest I no more bear common things that crave;
The weak worm hiding down in its small cave,
The field-mouse running by me in the grass,
And heavy mortal hopes that toil and pass;
But seek alone to hear the strange things said
By God to the bright hearts of those long dead,
And learn to chaunt a tongue men do not know.
Come near; I would, before my time to go,
Sing of old Eire and the ancient ways:
Red Rose, proud Rose, sad Rose of all my days.
W B Yeats
Red Rose, proud Rose, sad Rose of all my days!
Come near me, while I sing the ancient ways:
Cuchulain battling with the bitter tide;
The Druid, grey, wood-nurtured, quiet-eyed,
Who cast round Fergus dreams, and ruin untold;
And thine own sadness, where of stars, grown old
In dancing silver-sandalled on the sea,
Sing in their high and lonely melody.
Come near, that no more blinded by man's fate,
I find under the boughs of love and hate,
In all poor foolish things that live a day,
Eternal beauty wandering on her way.
Come near, come near, come near - Ah, leave me still
A little space for the rose-breath to fill!
Lest I no more bear common things that crave;
The weak worm hiding down in its small cave,
The field-mouse running by me in the grass,
And heavy mortal hopes that toil and pass;
But seek alone to hear the strange things said
By God to the bright hearts of those long dead,
And learn to chaunt a tongue men do not know.
Come near; I would, before my time to go,
Sing of old Eire and the ancient ways:
Red Rose, proud Rose, sad Rose of all my days.
W B Yeats
And finally a song for Valentine's Day, a warning perhaps?
Bye for now,
Go mbeannai Dia duit,
Cait
12 comments:
Thankyou for this Cait, hope posting it made you feel a little better, connected perhaps. I love the Yeats poem, one I did not know. Thankyou.
I'd never heard the Heart version and I thank you for that! Were you being extraordinarily witty choosing them because of the name?! :<) My favorite, favorite, favorite version is sung by the late, wonderful Gram Parsons and Emmylou Harris. I can't seem to find a video with them actually singing, but there is one with a still picture of them, and their voices:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bj8qnzwHUwo
And I meant to say how much I love the painting in the blog header. I can't seem to see who did it. It is one of the warmest, nicest pictures I've ever seen.
Happy Valentine's Day.
A time to reflect on beautiful things and love!
Super choices of poems.
Wonderful poems tonight. I send you my wish for a Happy Valentine's Day.
Edward does as well, I am sure.
I hope you soon feel completely yourself, Cait. This bug has hung on altogether too long.
The painting on your header, and the poem 'The Death of an Irishwoman' really grabbed me. I enjoyed the Heart version, but give me old Roy anytime!
Cait, I have treated myself to a catch-up on your recent posts.
Delighted, as always, to let you acquaint me with beautiful poetry, sights and ... your way of opening your view of the world to the rest of us.
You have been patient with me, and I am going to answer your interview questions ... tonight. Oh, I have set that deadline, and if I click, it is really set!
Best wishes, Cait. xo
Cait, I do hope that you are completely well soon.
I love the Micheal Hartnett poem. He was a very fine poet, so sad he had the drink on him. I also love the Yeats one, he is a favourite of mine too. xx
Michael Hartnett poem fantatic. Thanks Cait!
Cait, I wish I was more clever with words sometimes. What a joy to read your latest blog and those from a few days ago also. Hope your feeling better, friend. Blessings to you too. And hugs from me, seashell.
Loved all the photos and paintings! xxx
Sorry to hear you've been unwell, hope you're completely better now. I do so love Yeats - funnily enough I was just reading him today and then I catch up with your blog!
Dear Cait,
Yeats is one of my favourite Poets, love his Poems, thank you for sharing with us.
The first few lines by an Anonymous Author, wish I knew the name, so true the words.
I adore all your paintings Cait.
Hope you are now feeling much better dear Cait.
xx
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