“Go back?" he thought. "No good at all! Go sideways? Impossible! Go forward? Only thing to do! On we go!" So up he got, and trotted along with his little sword held in front of him and one hand feeling the wall, and his heart all of a patter and a pitter.
~J.R.R. Tolkien
I am pretty hyped and terrified about the election. I hope we will emerge like the saxifrage.
WCW
by Lachlan Mackinnon
Saxifrage, said William Carlos Williams, was his flower
because it split stone. Yesterday, in a pot, a clump of it,
weedy red petals, stems robust as peasant legs.
It would survive a summer’s rage for decking,
frost memory, meltwater gush, black August.
It wouldn’t last a weekend in the jungle,
read the rest here
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Last chance to sign up for the Holiday Poem Swap!
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18 comments:
I learned about saxifrage long ago as we began to study the flowers at our mountain cabin. It is found in various forms in the mountains, love little flowers & yes, strong! I love this, Tabatha, also am so nervous about this coming week & on. Are we those patient ones who "hang on, pull through"? I hope so! Hugs for us all!
We'll have to model ourselves after this tough little saxifrage plant–beautiful sensitive poem. And remember from your quote of Tolkien,"On we go!" Somehow we will carry on after Tuesday. But what may add more fuel to the already overflowing fire, we probably won't know the outcome on Tuesday. I suggested to my son today to listen to music and do things he likes, because we need breaks… thanks Tabatha, xo
Perfect quote and poem for this moment in history, Tabatha. I believe those "who hang on, who pull through" will be the "saxifrage splitting stone" - us! Your commiserate spirit and hopeful posts are welcomed and appreciated. Love will prevail. :)
JRRT "~~one hand feeling the wall~~" and then wall of stone burst by yellow nature, in lovely juxtaposition poet-teaching provided by creative you, dear Tabatha. I love looking at The Guardian, too.
Thank you!
Ohhh, I love this. Thank you for sharing it.
Lovely poem, heartening and inspiring. Saxifrage is totally new to me -- thanks for the botany lesson. :)
Re. Election: terrified is the right word.
I've always admired plants, like moss that can break stone. It was fun to lean about Saxifrage.
Yes, it's certainly the right quotation for the occasion.
Tabatha, before I forget, I have to say once again that I do not have time for the Holiday Poe Swap. This year is filled with so many issues, moving into a new house, not selling my Long Island house (2 buyers pulled out of 2 deals), and filing disability papers in VA for my son while fighting for his Social Security Disability in NY. Whew, just saying this wore me out. Anyways, you taught me something new today with the saxifrage flowers and their strength.
I'm not familiar with saxifrage--but it sounds like a mighty plant. And I really enjoyed the poem. And it's good inspiration for this particular moment. Thanks for sharing it!
Love the parallel between saxifrage and the election--yes to hanging on, pulling through, like saxifrage splitting stone.
What a wonderful metaphor for our time. Let's hope for the break through and flowering time.
Yes, let's persist and break up some stone no matter what happens on Tuesday.
As always, I learn new things over here! Didn't know this amazing plant, or this Scottish poet nodding to William Carlos Williams in this work. Wonderful stuff, all around. I'll keep this image with me as we head into this week... Virtual hugs to you! XO
What a wonderful poem. Truth is, I'm resting now...anxiously awaiting the results to see what kind of energy I'll need for the coming years. We are all so sick of fighting energy. I love a poem for the tough, woody, weedy flower that can split stone. Thank you for sharing this poem, right now.
We'll be tough like this flower, no matter what, but God I pray for change and the beginning of healing. Thanks for sharing this inspiring poem, Tabatha.
WCW is one of my favorites. He practiced family medicine not far from where I grew up! I love this line: Williams was a doctor, and he could listen to his language/ for the slightest sign, like a stethoscope.
The patient ones who hang on and pull through, stone or no stone. Let it be so.
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