A week or so ago, I heard this poem being performed on Radio 3 (otherwise the BBC’s serious music station). I was still in bed, not quite awake, but I could see early morning gloom edging the window blind. And then came these word, read with such madcap gusto. That lit up the day.
Read them now, aloud. Go for unleashed exuberance. Then see what happens…
The sun has burst the sky
Because I love you
And the river its banks.The sea laps the great rocks
Because I love you
And takes no heed of the moon dragging it away
And saying coldly ‘Constancy is not for you’.
The blackbird fills the air
Because I love you
With spring and lawns and shadows falling on lawns.The people walk in the street and laugh
I love you
And far down the river ships sound their hooters
Crazy with joy because I love you.
copyright Jenny Joseph, English Poet (1932-2018)
*
Now you’ve done the dress rehearsal, go for an all-out ‘first night’ performance. Never mind what the love object is. It could be the cat, a beloved human, an imaginary lover, the universe, a special tree, yourself…
*
So what happened…a burst of sunshine perhaps – in body, mind and spirit.
*
The photo was taken early one morning in Kalamata, Greece. Intervening olive tree with the Gulf of Messenia and Taygetus Mountains beyond.
Great poem and image to go with it Tish!
Thank you, Anne.
😊
What a lovely reminder of the power of love! Like an exploding star. Thank you, Tish.
So happy you like this, Sarah. And yes, the power of love; we don’t always acknowledge its importance. Or even explore its potential.
Brilliant. You , your camera and the early morning poetry slot on Fridays have made a great team.
Many thanks, Margaret. I felt the sunbursting moment had to be passed on.
So glad you did.
Oh, what fun!
Lovely that you think so, Sue 🙂
I love this
Thanks, Beth.
Just wow!
🙂 🙂 🙂
The exuberance and joy shine through the photo and the words. Love should be all around and the world would be a better place
Definitely, Pauline. Even when we do acknowledge it, we often tend compartmentalize love; not give it free reign or recognize its endless potential.
As you say, best read out aloud. Wonderful.
Ian
It’s intriguing what a difference it makes.
I was just casting back to see what I might have missed, Tish. So glad to have seen this one!
Thanks for catching up with me. Are you home now?
Yes, in the wee small hours of yesterday.
What a great waking up experience that must have been, and your photo fits perfectly with the poem!
Thanks, Sarah. Come to think of it, it would be rather nice to be woken up to a good poem every day 🙂
😀
Wonderful! What a great way to wake up.
Alison
It was, Alison 🙂
Wonderful poem. Thinking Jenny Joseph wrote the famous When I grow old I will wear purple? I must read some more of hers and had missed that she died in 2018. Hopefully blessed with purple and love. This is quite a love poem.
Yes, she did write that brilliant wearing purple poem. I don’t know her other works. You’ve reminded me to go and seek them out.
Love it ❤️
Cheers, Saania 🙂
Love this
🙂 🙂 🙂
This picture is so unique: it captures the sunburst so well, and is an explosion of colors
Many thanks, Dr. Y. So happy you liked this photo.
Thanks for sharing this extraordinary beauty, Tish.
My pleasure, Dina. We’ve been so short on sunshine lately. Thought it needed some encouragement.
Nice poem indeed. And stunning photo.
Thanks for commenting.
What a beautiful poem. I’ll have to read more of theirs. ❤️