Q&A with Josh Lanyon discussion
JUST FOR FUN
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Read Me a Poem Sing Me a Song
Mod
Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame,
With conquering limbs astride from land to land;
Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand
A mighty woman wi..."
I believe -- assuming we aren't blown to bits during the next few years -- we will find our way back to this.
Antonella wrote: "Mtsnow13 wrote: "William Stanford 'Peace Walk'"Thank you for the poems, Mtsnow. You are also a bit one track minded at the moment ;-).
BTW I've read both poems as I was hearing the disquieting '..."
No. We don't have something like that here. The closest thing we have is once in awhile any radio, tv, cellphone or wifi device that is turned on 'may' get an emergency broadcast signal, very high pitched, to test reception. Right now we are in high avalanche warnings, so my cellphone is constantly chiming, but since I barely turn on my tv, I'm pretty tuned in to that :-)
I do think I need to redirect my thoughts somehow though. I'm still having trouble sleeping. But I will say it is nice to see our checks and balance system in the government is being utilized, and many citizens are learning much more about our constitution!
I was getting troubled with the attempted silencing of the press, and threats to arrest protesters. As a federal employee under the Executive branch, everything I do I am very careful.... so many rights are being threatened .
Hope Is The Thing With Feathers 'Hope' is the thing with feathers—
That perches in the soul—
And sings the tune without the words—
And never stops—at all—
And sweetest—in the Gale—is heard—
And sore must be the storm—
That could abash the little Bird
That kept so many warm—
I've heard it in the chillest land—
And on the strangest Sea—
Yet, never, in Extremity,
It asked a crumb—
-Emily Dickenson
Mtsnow13 wrote: "I do think I need to redirect my thoughts somehow though. I'm still having trouble sleeping. But I will say it is nice to see our checks and balance system in the government is being utilized, and many citizens are learning much more about our constitution!I was getting troubled with the attempted silencing of the press, and threats to arrest protesters. As a federal employee under the Executive branch, everything I do I am very careful.... so many rights are being threatened."
Take good care of yourself!
And thank you for the other poem, one of my favourites.
Mod
We wondered what our walk should mean
taking that un-march quietly;
the sun stared at our signs—“Thou shalt not kill.”
Men by a tavern said, “Those foreigners . . . ..."
How timely. Thank you for posting this, Mtsnow.
Mod
In Finland we have this once a month — always the first Monday of the month at noon.
Mod
Yes, that is one of the good things about the situation — learning about important things and learning to take stand when needed.
As for trying to redirect your thoughts... I suggest more of those lovely walks in the wilderness nearby there in Montana. (This is a bit selfish of me — I always love seeing your photos on FB!)
:-)
Mod
'Hope' is the thing with feathers—
That perches in the soul—
And sings the tune without the words—
And never stops—at all—
And sweetest—in the Gale—is heard—
And..."
Yes. A favorite, this.
Johanna wrote: "In Finland we have this once a month — always the first Monday of the month at noon."Uh, that's a lot!
Antonella wrote: "Mtsnow13 wrote: "William Stanford 'Peace Walk'"Thank you for the poems, Mtsnow. You are also a bit one track minded at the moment ;-).
BTW I've read both poems as I was hearing the disquieting '..."
Nowadays it's only once or twice a year. When I was little we had them every Wednesday at 1 p.m. everywhere.
Living Seasons ThroughBodies together
Pressed against the cold, harsh night
We hold on to love
In the sweet, soft spring
We lay on a tall, steep hill
And hold on to love
Summer's baking heat
Hiding in the shade of trees
Still holding our love
The leaves are falling
Crunching beneath our footsteps
Forever, our love
We'll last through seasons
Enjoy our love together
Just you wait, my love.
- anonymous
Johanna wrote: "Mtsnow13 wrote: "I do think I need to redirect my thoughts somehow though. I'm still having trouble sleeping. But I will say it is nice to see our checks and balance system in the government is bei..."Aw. Thanks Johanna! Glad you get pleasure from the images. I need to post some more!!
Mtsnow13 wrote: "Living Seasons ThroughBodies together
Pressed against the cold, harsh night
We hold on to love
In the sweet, soft spring
We lay on a tall, steep hill
And hold on to love
Summer's baking heat
Hi..."
This is beautiful, Mtsnow13, thank you!
Mod
Bodies together
Pressed against the cold, harsh night
We hold on to love
In the sweet, soft spring
We lay on a tall, steep hill
And hold on to love
Summer's baking heat
Hi..."
I love that!
Fugue of Death by Paul CelanBlack milk of daybreak we drink it at nightfall
we drink it at noon in the morning we drink it at night
drink it and drink it
we are digging a grave in the sky it is ample to lie there
A man in the house he plays with the serpents he writes
he writes when the night falls to Germany your golden hair Margarete
he writes it and walks from the house the stars glitter he whistles his dogs up
he whistles his Jews out and orders a grave to be dug in the earth
he commands us strike up for the dance
Black milk of daybreak we drink you at night
we drink in the mornings at noon we drink you at nightfall
drink you and drink you
A man in the house he plays with the serpents he writes
he writes when the night falls to Germany your golden hair Margarete
Your ashen hair Shulamith we are digging a grave in the sky it is ample to lie there
He shouts stab deeper in earth you there and you others you sing and you play
he grabs at the iron in his belt and swings it and blue are his eyes
stab deeper your spades you there and you others play on for the dancing
Black milk of daybreak we drink you at nightfall
we drink you at noon in the mornings we drink you at nightfall
drink you and drink you
a man in the house your golden hair Margarete
your ashen hair Shulamith he plays with the serpents
He shouts play sweeter death's music death comes as a master from Germany
he shouts stroke darker the strings and as smoke you shall climb to the sky
then you'll have a grave in the clouds it is ample to lie there
Black milk of daybreak we drink you at night
we drink you at noon death comes as a master from Germany
we drink you at nightfall and morning we drink you and drink you
a master from Germany death comes with eyes that are blue
with a bullet of lead he will hit in the mark he will hit you
a man in the house your golden hair Margarete
he hunts us down with his dogs in the sky he gives us a grave
he plays with the serpents and dreams death comes as a master from Germany
your golden hair Margarete
your ashen hair Shulamith.
((translated by Christopher Middleton))
See also: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Todesfuge
Todesfuge read by Paul Celan. Here the original text
((I'm going to see a _very_ disquieting piece of theater where this poem is quoted, and I'm a bit worried. In fact I wonder why I agreed to go with my friend...))
Antonella wrote: "Fugue of Death by Paul CelanBlack milk of daybreak we drink it at nightfall
we drink it at noon in the morning we drink it at night
drink it and drink it
we are digging a grave in the sky it is a..."
Disquieting and dark remembrances Antonella. May peace and good will go with you as you attend this theater. This is a hard one to read, but good to not forget :-(
Mod
The crazy old Vinegar Man is dead! He never had missed a day before!
Somebody went to his tumble-down shed by the Haunted House and forced the door.
There in the litter of his pungent pans,
the murky mess of his mixing place
Deep, sticky spiders and empty cans
with the same old frown on his sour old face.
Vinegar - Vinegar - Vinegar Man!
Face - us - and - chase - us - and - catch - if -you - can!
Pepper for a tongue! Pickle for a nose!
Stick a pin in him and vinegar flows!
Glare -at-us- swear -at-us- catch - if - you-can!
Ketchup - and - chow - chow - and -Vinegar -Man!
Nothing but recipes and worthless junk;
greasy old records of paid and due
But down in the depths of a battered trunk,
a queer, quaint Valentine torn in two?
Red hearts and arrows and silver lace,
and a prim, dim, ladylike script that said
"With dearest love, from Ellen to Ned!"
Steal - us - and - peel - us - and - drown - us -in - brine!
He pickles his heart in a valentine!
Vinegar for blood! Pepper for his tongue!
Stick a pin in him and
...once he was young!
Glare -at-us- swear -at-us- catch - if - you - can!
"With dearest love" to the Vinegar Man!
Dingy little books of profit and loss
(died about Saturday, so they say),
And a queer, quaint valentine torn across . . .
torn, but it never was thrown away!
"With dearest love from Ellen to Ned"
"Old Pepper Tongue! Pickles his heart in brine!"
The Vinegar Man is a long time dead:
he died when he tore his valentine.
by Ruth Comfort Mitchell
Josh wrote: "The Vinegar ManThe crazy old Vinegar Man is dead! He never had missed a day before!
Somebody went to his tumble-down shed by the Haunted House and forced the door.
There in the litter of his ..."
Oooo... this is why he died as a vinegar man.. he should've opened his heart to his dear love!!
Thank you Josh :-D
Mod
Thank you for sharing these, Antonella and Josh.
Johanna wrote: "The thing is, that every time I see that there's a new post either in here or in the Five Things I Love topic, I start to smile. Even before I click myself into the topic. :-)"I'm the same. Thanks everybody. :)
Gianni Rodari (1920-1980) was a famous author of children’s poems and books. I love his works.Memo by Gianni Rodari
There are things to be done every day:
washing oneself, studying, playing,
setting the table
at midday.
There are things to be done every night:
closing one’s eyes, sleeping,
having dreams to dream,
ears for not listening.
There are things never to be done,
neither by day nor by night,
neither by sea nor by land:
for example, war.
((found here, translated by a not better identified Serena))
Promemoria
Ci sono cose da fare ogni giorno:
lavarsi, studiare, giocare,
preparare la tavola
a mezzogiorno
Ci sono cose da fare di notte:
chiudere gli occhi, dormire
avere sogni da sognare,
orecchie per non sentire.
Ci sono cose da non fare mai,
né di giorno né di notte,
né per mare né per terra:
per esempio, la guerra.
Another poem with English translation can be found here
Il cielo è di tutti / The sky belongs to everyone
Antonella wrote: "Gianni Rodari (1920-1980) was a famous author of children’s poems and books. I love his works.Memo by Gianni Rodari
There are things to be done every day:
washing oneself, studying, playing,
se..."
I loved that one Antonella! Thank you. It would be really good if people followed the poem advice...
Three examples of the haiku of Yosa Buson from the late 1700s:A summer river being crossed
how pleasing
with sandals in my hands!
Light of the moon
Moves west, flowers' shadows
Creep eastward.
In the moonlight,
The color and scent of the wisteria
Seems far away.
-- Yosa Buson
Antonella wrote: "Gianni Rodari (1920-1980) was a famous author of children’s poems and books. I love his works.Memo by Gianni Rodari
There are things to be done every day:
washing oneself, studying, playing,
se..."
Oh, to be a child again!! Thank you Antonella
Mod
Memo by Gianni Rodari
There are things to be done every day:
washing oneself, studying, playing,
se..."
Oh! I LOVE this one, Antonella! And it's also new-to-me poem. Thank you so much for sharing, dear.
Mod
A summer river being crossed
how pleasing
with sandals in my hands!
Light of the moon
Moves west, flowers' shadows
Creep eastward.
..."
Such treasures! The first one is my favorite, I think. :-)
Thank you for sharing these, dear Mtsnow!
Mtsnow13 wrote: "Three examples of the haiku of Yosa Buson from the late 1700s:A summer river being crossed
how pleasing
with sandals in my hands!
Light of the moon
Moves west, flowers' shadows
Creep eastward.
..."
Neat. I also love the first one. So vivid. Thanks. :)
Mod
Memo by Gianni Rodari
There are things to be done every day:
washing oneself, studying, playing,
se..."
a sort of Everything I Know in Italian. :-)
Mod
A summer river being crossed
how pleasing
with sandals in my hands!
Light of the moon
Moves west, flowers' shadows
Creep eastward.
..."
Very lovely!
Mod
Consider me
As one who loved poetry
And persimmons.
by Masaoaka Shiki
Mod
Consider me
As one who loved poetry
And persimmons.
by Masaoaka Shiki"
What a lovely self-ephitaph.
Mod
A summer river being crossed
how pleasing
with sandals in my hands!
Light of the moon
Moves west, flowers' shadows..."
:-D That's wry and wonderful.
Mod
Robin in the fall,
But Colin only looked at me
And never kissed at all.
Stephen’s kiss was lost in jest,
Robin’s lost in play,
But the kiss in Colin’s eyes
Haunts me night and day.”
― Sara Teasdale, The Collected Poems
Josh wrote: "“Stephen kissed me in the spring,Robin in the fall,
But Colin only looked at me
And never kissed at all.
Stephen’s kiss was lost in jest,
Robin’s lost in play,
But the kiss in Colin’s eyes
Haunts me night and day."
Lovely. Thank you for sharing.
Josh wrote: "“Stephen kissed me in the spring,Robin in the fall,
But Colin only looked at me
And never kissed at all.
Stephen’s kiss was lost in jest,
Robin’s lost in play,
But the kiss in Colin’s eyes
Haunts..."
So beautiful! Thank you <3
Josh wrote: "“Stephen kissed me in the spring,Robin in the fall,
But Colin only looked at me
And never kissed at all.
Stephen’s kiss was lost in jest,
Robin’s lost in play,
But the kiss in Colin’s eyes
Haunts..."
How lovely. Thank you. :)
Mod
Robin in the fall,
But Colin only looked at me
And never kissed at all.
Stephen’s kiss was lost in jest,
Robin’s lost in play,
But the kiss in Colin’s eyes
Haunts..."
:-)
Mod
Robin in the fall,
But Colin only looked at me
And never kissed at all.
Stephen’s kiss was lost in jest,
Robin’s lost in play,
But the kiss in Colin’s eyes
Haunts..."
Lovely, but makes me want to cry…
I had missed this last September:What They Took With Them by Jenifer Toksvig
(spoken word poem, 5 minutes)
UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador Cate Blanchett was joined by actors Keira Knightley, Juliet Stevenson, Peter Capaldi, Stanley Tucci, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Kit Harington, Douglas Booth and Jesse Eisenberg, and writer Neil Gaiman, to perform a spoken word poem in support of the #WithRefugees campaign.
The film is based on a rhythmic poem entitled ‘What They Took With Them’ by Jenifer Toksvig. Jenifer was inspired by stories and first-hand testimonies from refugees forced to flee their homes and items they took with them.
Josh wrote: "“Stephen kissed me in the spring,Robin in the fall,
But Colin only looked at me
And never kissed at all."
Thank you for this. I wanted to answer with a kiss poem by Pablo Neruda, but as I was researching for the original text I found out it is a fake, basically only known in Italy.
Mod
Robin in the fall,
But Colin only looked at me
And never kissed at all."
Thank you for this. I wanted to answer with a kiss poem by Pablo Neruda, but..."
Oh? Now there is a plot right there!
Mwanamali wrote: "Jim Morrison's poetry"Thank you. I worshipped the trinity of Jimi Hendrix, Jim Morrison and Janis Joplin as I was an adolescent ;-)
Mwanamali wrote: "Jim Morrison's poetry "Thank you for sharing.
I had a pretty vivid image of Jim Morrison before I even really knew who he was. My family went to Paris when I was a kid and we had a look around the Père Lachaise cemetery, where Morrison is buried, and we were all struck by all the graffiti referring to him and also the groups of people crying around his grave. It was very memorable and I decided that Jim Morrison must be quite an important person.
Mod
Thank you for sharing.
I had a pretty vivid image of Jim Morrison before I even really knew who he was. My family went to Paris when I was a kid and we h..."
I've been to that cemetery too! I was entranced by Oscar Wilde's sculpture and the lipstick kisses on it (since removed).*
I was a (somewhat teeny-bopper) Doors fan. I painted their lyrics and big hippie flowers on my bedroom wall (parents were OK with the flowers, but I had to paint over some of the lyrics). It's a bit embarrassing now. It all started in a black light strobe tent at our state fair carnival when I was about 16. They were playing "Light My Fire" and it was my first experience with psychedelia (sans chemicals). ; )
Oh, and I saw/heard Hendrix live (but missed Joplin).
* https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Karen wrote: "Alison wrote: "Mwanamali wrote: "Jim Morrison's poetry "Thank you for sharing.
I had a pretty vivid image of Jim Morrison before I even really knew who he was. My family went to Paris when I was..."
I'm soooo jelly. I always see these stories but I can' as yet afford that kind of travel. Man I wish I could've gone to a Joplin concert. But I would've had to be born thirty years earlier.... :-D Oh well, we'll always have Youtube. Have you ever seen Freddie Mercury?
Alison wrote: "Mwanamali wrote: "Jim Morrison's poetry "Thank you for sharing.
I had a pretty vivid image of Jim Morrison before I even really knew who he was. My family went to Paris when I was a kid and we h..."
I like how you said that I decided that Jim Morrison must be quite an important person.... Here we have a statue for one of the first post-independence political leaders. He's very prominent in that tribe. His statue had steel flamingo sculptures around it. And they all got stolen.
Karen wrote: "Oh, and I saw/heard Hendrix live."And you say this as an afterthought...
Thank you all for sharing your stories.
Mod
The horn on the island groans
as fog swirls through spruce trees
and drifts into town like a ghost
smelling of fish and seaweed.
It creeps up Main Street, hiding
the window displays of
rubber boots and rain gear.
Like an advancing army it
encircles the bandstand on the
library lawn and muffles
the bell in the spire
of the Congregational Church.
It finds its way to the
cemetary where it soaks the
orange-colored lichen on the
sea-slanting stones and drops
like tears from the green-leafed trees
onto the heads of diggers. It
lingers for days, outlasting
its welcome, then lifts.
Margaret Kay
http://www.margaretkaypoet.com/
Q&A with Josh Lanyon
Books mentioned in this topic
Mr. Cogito (other topics)Don't Mention the Children (other topics)
Writing Haiku: A Beginner's Guide to Composing Japanese Poetry (other topics)
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The Book of Joy: Lasting Happiness in a Changing World (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
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Pablo Neruda (other topics)
Michael Rosen (other topics)
Michael Rosen (other topics)
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Thank you for the poems, Mtsnow. You are also a bit one track minded at the moment ;-).
BTW I've read both poems as I was hearing the disquieting ''sirens rehearsal'' made here once a year. It is in preparation of major catastrophes, but it always reminds me of war. It's always between 1.30 and 2.00 p.m., so that people know it is only a rehearsal. We don't have something like this on Italy, as far as I know. What about where you live?