The Song
From somewhere
a calm musical note arrives.
You balance it on your tongue,
a single ripe grape,
till your whole body glistens.
In the space between breaths
you apply it to any wound
and the wound heals.
Soon the nights will lengthen,
you will lean into the year
humming like a saw.
You will fill the lamps with kerosene,
knowing somewhere a line breaks,
a city goes black,
people dig for candles in the bottom drawer.
You will be ready. You will use the song like a match.
It will fill your rooms
opening rooms of its own
so you sing, I did not know
my house was this large.
By Naomi Shihab Nye, from Words Under the Words
Susannah,
Music and poetry are the salve that heals the soul and mends a broken heart. They are the light that shows the way. Listen so intently that the world's hub-bub around you is blotted out...listenining until you can feel the words kneading the stiffness out of your body and you breath in the subtle aroma of deep relaxation.
rel
Posted by: rel | Apr 06, 2007 at 01:28 AM
oh ... this is music to my heart, what i needed to read today. thank you my love. xox
Posted by: daisies | Apr 06, 2007 at 01:53 AM
There was something I was looking for to share with a good friend who is struggling. This poem is just so perfect for her right now. Thank you.
Posted by: bella | Apr 06, 2007 at 02:31 AM
I love the photo, I love the poem and I love your new banner. xo
Posted by: kristen | Apr 06, 2007 at 04:40 AM
Thanks for sharing this. It is soothing for the mind which is wandering to much right now.
Posted by: gautami | Apr 06, 2007 at 06:16 AM
"From somewhere a calm musical note arrives" ...like the calmness and beauty of your photography. Sending good thoughts, love and peace your way ... JP
Posted by: JanePoe (aka Deborah) | Apr 06, 2007 at 06:22 AM
is it just me or is EVERYTHING you do cool? my god. no, i'm not buttering you up. i'm telling you the truth. every time i come here to visit, i take back with me over the ocean something precious.
Posted by: anna romer | Apr 06, 2007 at 11:24 AM
You already know how I feel about Nye and you...beautiful, Susannah!
Love,
D.
Posted by: Delia | Apr 06, 2007 at 01:46 PM
What a beautiful poem...
Posted by: Regina Clare Jane | Apr 06, 2007 at 04:09 PM
...and are you seeing finally starting to see it...how LARGE you are!
gorgeous pic!
Posted by: la vie en rose | Apr 06, 2007 at 05:15 PM
I enjoyed reading this poem, especailly the ending, the song filling the rooms...
Posted by: Crafty Green Poet | Apr 06, 2007 at 06:01 PM
i love this piece. i have to read her. and i just wanted to say,
tomorrow! tomorrow! tomorrow!
Posted by: bee | Apr 07, 2007 at 01:28 PM
I just loved the thought of song filling rooms -
that is just the most perfect visual (sound)
for my life -
song filling rooms -
thankyou for this!
AND the gorgeous photo!
Posted by: sophie | Apr 07, 2007 at 03:29 PM
What a beautiful photo! I love the orangy tones... Very uplifting!
Posted by: Alex | Apr 07, 2007 at 08:53 PM
Oh I've missed reading your posts while I was out of town....It's good to be back..they are all lovely.
Have a wonderful Easter.
Posted by: Wanda | Apr 08, 2007 at 06:02 AM
What a rich, lovely combination ... happy Easter dear Susannah. xo, JP
Posted by: JanePoe (aka Deborah) | Apr 08, 2007 at 05:55 PM
Happy Easter, beautiful.
A season of fresh starts and hope.
:)
Posted by: Amber | Apr 09, 2007 at 07:28 AM
beautiful! and i love the new banner. your blog looks like candy....gorgeous gorgeous and yummy!
Posted by: vesper | Apr 09, 2007 at 09:36 PM
what beautiful women.
Posted by: anna romer | Apr 10, 2007 at 08:35 AM