Summer Love-In: As Small as a World
Friday, June 17, 2011
And now for something completely different.
I'm so pleased to welcome Rachel, who blogs over at Flowers and Stripes in the guise of her alter ego, Mrs Joan Hunter Dunn (I had to google it. I suspected, correctly, that it was a literary reference that had gone completely over my head. For a self-described bookworm, this happens to me worryingly often. But I digress).
Rachel's blog is an often surprising and always charming mixture of personal thoughts, poignant images and thoughtfully-chosen excerpts from her favourite books and poetry (I am smitten with this haunting little post and am now desperate to read the book). It's completely different from anything else in my blog reader, and that's why I love it, and why I think you will too.
When Rachel sent me her Summer Love-In post, she explained her reasons for choosing this particular piece:
1. Another poem to add to your collection [I rather like this image of myself collecting poems. Makes me sound much more intellectual than I actually am. Full marks, Rachel.]
1. Another poem to add to your collection [I rather like this image of myself collecting poems. Makes me sound much more intellectual than I actually am. Full marks, Rachel.]
2. I think you live by the sea, well I know your wedding was by the sea [correct on both counts!]
I think it's a perfect little counterpart to Lyn's ode to The Lake from yesterday, and an ideal way to round off the week. So without further ado, here is Rachel's choice:
maggie and milly and molly and may
by e.e.cummings
maggie and milly and molly and may
went down to the beach (to play one day)
and maggie discovered a shell that sang
so sweetly she couldn't remember her troubles,and
milly befriended a stranded star
whose rays five languid fingers were;
and molly was chased by a horrible thing
which raced sideways while blowing bubbles:and
may came home with a smooth round stone
as small as a world and as large as alone.
For whatever we lose (like a you or a me)
it's always ourselves we find in the sea
Wishing you all a wonderful weekend. I plan to lark around in a bikini for most of mine; what about you?
Image chosen by Rachel, via we heart it (original source unknown)
4 boats moored
My parents used to quote JHD (as I thought the poem was called...) at each other when I was growing up. It's a rare poem that is both poignant and funny. But now, whenever I read Rachel's blog, I always imagine her in tennis whites.
ReplyDeleteLove this poem, Rachel. May's find, especially.
I should read more ee cummings. I always love his poems when I read them. This one is particularly lovely.
ReplyDeleteAnna - oh which parts did your parent's quote and no wonder you've grown into such a wonderful woman with childhood memories like that! Your thought about tennis whites made me smile - alot.
ReplyDeleteKristy - yes they are so lovely.
ps Kirsty - hope you're having a fabulous time & thank you for asking me to share on your blog.
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