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Bits and bobs about my life in my lovely home, Thatchwick Cottage, Pretoria, South Africa.

Wednesday, June 10, 2009

Wednesday, 10 June '09: Something to enjoy while I am away


Piano by DH Lawrence

Softly, in the dusk, a woman is singing to me
Taking me back down the vista of years, till I see
A child sitting under the piano, in the boom of the tingling strings
And pressing the small, poised feet of a mother who smiles as she sings.

In spite of myself, the insidious mastery of song
Betrays me back, till the heart of me weeps to belong
To the old Sunday evenings at home, with winter outside
And hymns in the cosy parlour, the tinkling piano our guide.

So now it is vain for the singer to burst into clamour
With the great black piano appassionato. The glamour
Of childish days is upon me, my manhood is cast
Down in the flood of remembrance, I weep like a child for the past.

Hope you enjoyed this little post while I was away. Thank you to all recent visiting friends. If I have not yet returned the call, I shall do so on my return from Europe.

11 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hope you are having a lovely time. Getting awfully warm on this side of the globe. Teaching summer school, so keeping busy.
Hugs ~
Alexandra

Carol Murdock said...

Eleanor, I hope you have a wonderful excursion!
Love,
Carol

Reader Wil said...

Thanks for your visit. Today I said good-bye to my South African relatives, who live in Capetown. It was great to have them here.

Jeannette StG said...

Hope you had a grand time and many things to tell when you come back! I am myself in-and-out for the next 3-4 weeks - see you then!

Anonymous said...

It's so thoughtful of you to have prepared things for us to read while you are away. I would love to know something about your work and what takes you to Latvia, just out of curiosity and having academes in the family, who do that kind of thing. Thank you and be safe.

Anonymous said...

Have a wonderful trip. Thank you for posting D.H. Lawrence. He is one of my favourite writers. I look forward to hearing of your adventures.

Gemma Wiseman said...

Love D.H.Lawrence's novels and short stories and poetry ~ probably in that order. This poem has such a river of nostalgia. Beautiful!

Mary said...

Thanks for sharing this poem and sweet illustration - I was not familiar with it.

Hope your trip is going well and that you will enjoy your days in Paris - of course wish I was there!!

Barbara Martin said...

D.H. Lawrence is one of my favourite authors.

Have a safe and wonderful journey to France, and I anticipate reading and viewing your photos upon your return.

Kat Mortensen said...

Hi Eleanor! I commented fully on your FIFA post below. Hope you're enjoying yourself.

Luv,

Kat

dulcy said...

Eleanor....I simply love your banner. Are those your puppies at your home? So beautiful! Wow..Paris...enjoy...

dulcy