Don't forget to sign up to receive a postcard from Jone's students. It's one of my favorite NPM traditions.
I also have a National Poetry Month postcard tradition, now in its 6th year! It features art, and it's free! Sign up by clicking the image below.
And now for a poem by Susan J. Erickson, as found in a book called EARTH BLESSINGS: Prayers, Poems and Meditations selected by June Cotner.
- After a line by Rumi
Let your spirit ear listen
to the green dome's passionate murmur.
Ferns burst from the earth,
their coiled heads muted cymbals
in spring's orchestra.
From the topmost branch of a cedar
a Bewick's wren sways and trills
about something that translates as happiness
in a language with neither noun nor verb.
Water and wind, chords of clouds,
a crescendo of light.
-------------------------
I want to do much more listening with my spirit ear! This poem jumped out at me today for a couple of reasons. First, it's spring.
Second, I've been reading a book called YOU MUST CHANGE YOUR LIFE: The Story of Rainer Maria Rilke and Auguste Rodin by Rachel Corbett. So when I first read "Rumi" I was thinking "Rilke" - a mistake I have made more times than I'd like to admit!Anyway, the book is fascinating. I didn't know these two were friends! I'm actually far more interested in Rodin than in Rilke. I really had no idea the influence Rodin (and other artists) had on Rilke's life. I've long enjoyed Rilke's poetry, but I feel a kinship with him now that I didn't before, as art and artists are such an important source of beauty and inspiration in my own life. And Rodin! What a force!
Books and poetry and spring... talk about abundance! Life is good. Thanks so much for reading!
When I was 19 I studied in Paris for a summer. One day some friends and I accidentally wandered into the Rodin museum. I don't think I had ever even heard his name before, though I had seen The Kiss and The Thinker. Wow, I was just stunned by his work. It's always so interesting to see how these amazing people were connected to each other. (I LOVE your poem.)
ReplyDeleteRodin and Rilke were pure genius. Love that poem, Spirit Ear. Susan J. Erickson uses language with such authority and vision. Those last two lines. Ahhh.
ReplyDeleteAmong so many other flowers and the way their flowers make their way into our world, ferns seem so magical to me, and now this "their coiled heads muted cymbals/in spring's orchestra". It's a lovely way to look at them. I read Rilke often from my "year's poems", but it is nice to imagine those two creative souls connecting. I have The Swallow Man, still haven't read it, hopefully soon! Thanks for all, Irene!
ReplyDeleteSuch goodness here today. Love the Spirit Ear poem; Erickson is new to me. All three books you mentioned today look wonderful. Will have to add them to my TBR list. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteThe thought that all other creatures communicate "in a language with neither noun nor verb" is so amazing!
ReplyDeleteLove this!
Just so you know, some words were used from your poem to use in the new Scavenger Hunt today! http://mainelywrite.blogspot.com/2017/03/poetry-friday.html
"Spirit Ear" is lovely. I'm adding EARTH BLESSINGS to my wish list of books to read. xo
ReplyDeleteThanks for your rich PF blog Irene, so much here to ponder on . . . I actually did a painting a number of years back that has a Bewick's wren in it, unfortunately it's an endangered bird; "Spirit Ear"is quite a moving poem. "Anna and the Swallow Man looks interesting also, I'll have to check it out.
ReplyDeleteSpirit Ear is beautiful...and i must check out Anna and the Swallow Man, too. I love visiting your blog, Irene...I always walk away with so much lovely.
ReplyDeleteIrene, didn't Rilke work as Rodin's secretary for awhile? Rodin sent him to the zoo to watch the animals. And wasn't Rodin rather rude to the woman (a female artist) he was living with? Or was it Rilke? Oh, I have to find this book. Thank you for this post.
ReplyDeleteI'm looking forward to Poetry Month.....and I'm going to try not to overwhelm myself with what I must DO but to enjoy what is. Another year I will jump into more activities. I just seem to be filled to the brim at the moment. It's all wonderful. This will be my first Poetry Month as a participant in Poetry Friday....I wonder if it feels like graduation month for high school teachers ;)
ReplyDeleteSo much goodness in this post, Irene. I'm off to check my library website for all of these books. =)
ReplyDeleteYes, so many good things here today! Thank you, Friend. I didn't know about the Rilke/Rodin association either - fascinating.
ReplyDeleteI need to work on learning languages with neither nouns nor verbs, specifically, the language of birds. Good reminders here! (and a book to add to my Audible wish list!)
ReplyDeleteDear Irene YOU are Spring.
ReplyDeleteThis is a sweet nest of nurturing.
Three books, several ideas but all moving
toward living the creative life in the natural way that turns out right.
And, I must look up Bewick's wren! Didn't know it.
xx from Springtime Tally
Wren wonderfulness : http://nestwatch.org/connect/news/know-your-neighbors-wrens/
ReplyDeleteSuch an abundance of words and art and books, and yes, spring! Thank you for sharing these gems.
ReplyDeleteIrene, thank you for sharing this lovely poem as well as the incredible books in your current stack!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Irene, for this bounty of beauty! I've been trying to listen with Rumi's "spirit ear" today without knowing it! Someone else recommended Anna and the Swallow Man a while ago, but I had forgotten it, so thank you for reminding me of it today. You Must Change Your Life sounds fascinating, too. Happy Spring to you!
ReplyDeleteI'm enjoying your post as I sit and listen to the wrens sing. There's a turtle sunning on the rocks, too. Thanks for your always generous offerings.
ReplyDelete