Thursday, May 14, 2020

One little western star

I see America, not in the setting sun of a black night of despair ahead of us, I see America in the crimson light of a rising sun fresh from the burning, creative hand of God. I see great days ahead, great days possible to men and women of will and vision.
~Carl Sandburg


Windows by Judy Dean

I shared At A Window in 2010 but I felt like bringing it back. It makes me think of Sonnet 29 (Shakespeare) and Sonnet XXX (Millay)...probably someone could write a paper about those connections. Here's Carl Sandburg:

At a Window
by Carl Sandburg

Give me hunger,
O you gods that sit and give
The world its orders.
Give me hunger, pain and want,
Shut me out with shame and failure
From your doors of gold and fame,
Give me your shabbiest, weariest hunger!
But leave me a little love,
A voice to speak to me in the day end,
A hand to touch me in the dark room
Breaking the long loneliness.
In the dusk of day-shapes
Blurring the sunset,
One little wandering, western star
Thrust out from the changing shores of shadow.
Let me go to the window,
Watch there the day-shapes of dusk
And wait and know the coming
Of a little love.

**********

Jama Rattigan has the Poetry Friday round-up. Thanks, Jama!

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18 comments:

  1. Linda MitchellMay 14, 2020 at 10:12 PM

    This poem leaves me breathless...every single line is perfect. The day shapes, the little western star. Thank you for sharing.

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  2. KatApel - katswhiskers.wordpress.comMay 14, 2020 at 10:29 PM

    Such a beautiful post, Tabatha, focused on the hope. That first quote.💕 May we all contribute to the love fount!

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  3. Linda BMay 15, 2020 at 12:02 AM

    I love those first words, too, Tabatha. Although sometimes it feels silly to gain comfort from knowing the past survived hard times, too, but I do. I know of the WWII times from my own family, and of the Great Depression. Now we have our own challenges, but I continue to keep hope. Thank you for these special words from Sandburg.

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  4. Sally MurphyMay 15, 2020 at 3:48 AM

    Thanks for sharing such a hopeful poem, Linda. Those closing lines say it all: " wait and know the coming
    Of a little love."

    Sigh.

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  5. Sally MurphyMay 15, 2020 at 3:49 AM

    And of course I called you Linda - I knew it was you, Tabatha, but those two Linda's above me somehow hijacked the link between brain and fingers.

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  6. Heidi MordhorstMay 15, 2020 at 7:46 AM

    Whoa. Whyever would I skip a daily, much less weekly, visit to your blog of more than "a little love"? I feel so...

    en-courage-d. Thanks, Tabatha.

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  7. AmyMay 15, 2020 at 9:01 AM

    Yes to “great days ahead”.

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  8. Carol VarsalonaMay 15, 2020 at 9:38 AM

    The last four lines of this poem have me thinking of how powerful poetry is for reflection. I hope to weave this post into my grad school summer institute. Thanks, Tabatha.

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  9. Janice ScullyMay 15, 2020 at 10:42 AM

    A masterful poem. I love how the first seven lines build up to "But give me a little love." And then the images he uses to signify the love he's waiting for. Beautiful. Thank you for sharing it

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  10. jamaMay 15, 2020 at 11:04 AM

    Thanks for sharing this magnificent poem (new to me). Yes to the coming of a little love. And the opening quote is wonderful too; we need hope!

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  11. Karen EastlundMay 15, 2020 at 11:52 AM

    Beautiful post! Thanks so much for introducing me to these windows of wonder.

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  12. author amokMay 15, 2020 at 1:51 PM

    Thank you, Tabatha. I love the longing for comfort in this poem.

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  13. JoneMay 15, 2020 at 9:20 PM

    Thank you for sharing agin. Good poems are meant to be reshaped.
    This: In the dusk of day-shapes
    Blurring the sunset,
    One little wandering, western star

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  14. michelle koganMay 16, 2020 at 1:37 AM

    Thanks for sharing Carl Sandburg's sensitive poem, and let's bring on that "One little wandering, western star, " and "a little love."
    Beautiful, thanks Tabatha!

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  15. Mary LeeMay 16, 2020 at 7:24 AM

    Thank goodness for the stars and the little bits of love that still can be found.

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  16. laurasalasMay 16, 2020 at 10:06 AM

    This poem feels so wistful and defiant and powerful--all at once. Thank you for giving it to us today.

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  17. Bridget MageeMay 17, 2020 at 8:07 AM

    I need Sandburg's words and hope today, Tabatha. Thank you. :)

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  18. Michelle Heidenrich BarnesMay 17, 2020 at 11:04 PM

    Sending a little love your way, T. (Actually more than a little.)

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