Monday, November 12, 2007

I Think Continually of Those Who Were Truly Great

Please enjoy one of my favorite poems... on the contingency that you read it aloud...
I Think Continually of Those Who Were Truly Great
By Sir Stephen Spender
I think continually of those who were truly great.
Who from the womb, remembered the soul's history
Through corridors of light where the hours are suns,
Endless and singing. Whose lovely ambition
Was that their lips, still touched with fire,
Should tell of the spirit clothed from head to foot in song.
And who hoarded from the spring branches
The desires falling across their bodies like blossoms.
What is precious is never to forget
The delight of the blood drawn from ageless springs
Breaking through rocks in worlds before our Earth;
Never to deny its pleasure in the simple morning light,
Nor its grave evening demand for love;
Never to allow gradually the traffic to smother
With noise and fog the flowering of the spirit.
Near the snow, near the sun, in the highest field
See how these names are feted by the wavering grass,
And by the streamers of white cloud,
And whispers of wind in the listening sky;
The names of those who in their lives fought for life,
Who wore at their hearts the fire's centre.
Born of the sun they traveled a short while towards the sun
And left the vivid air signed with their honor.

9 comments:

Unknown said...

Scarlett,
Many have come and gone who were truly great I'm sure.
But their heart I knew not.
Others have come and gone who perhaps were not great per se.
But there friendship leaves a fire in my heart.I guess what I'm trying to say is: A real friend is Truly Great!
rel

S. Kearney said...

Great poem, Wanderlust. I can see why it would be a favourite. I didn't read it out loud though ... I'm in the middle of a busy newsroom and I would be escorted off the premises very smartly! :-)

Unknown said...

Beautiful and powerful poem, Scarlett. I love the line "who from the womb, remembered the soul's history" - ah to remember that and build and grow upon it. No wonder there is then greatness.
And yes, I did read it out loud!

Vesper said...

Very beautiful, Scarlett. Thanks for sharing it. Yes, it has to be read aloud.

Michelle | Bleeding Espresso said...

As requested I read it aloud...and now I have chills.

Time to grab some Earl Grey and read it again.

Unknown said...

You've been tagged for a meme... ;-)

Wanderlust Scarlett said...

Rel,

New blog? You are really cool!
And I agree, real friends are truly great.


Seamus,

Well... ok, if it was because you were at work. We can't have you being escorted out!


Vanilla,

YAY! Isn't it wonderful? Glad that you liked it.


Vesper,

The words are like a prayer, in a way, a devotion to those who have made our world a more brilliant place, so they must be read aloud.

Unless doing so will get you escorted out!


Sognatrice,

*big grins* AMEN sister.
glad you liked it!!


Vanilla!

A meme! You shouldn't have. Really.
It's too much.
God bless you.
;o)-

Scarlett & Viaggiatore

The Passionate Palate said...

Scarlett!!! That was powerful to read out loud.
Grazie bella,
Jeni

Wanderlust Scarlett said...

Jeni,

I'm so pleased that it touched you!
Wonderful!


Scarlett & V.