Unconquerable Souls
But were I loved
But were I loved, as I desire to be,
What is there in the great sphere of the earth,
And range of evil between death and birth,
That I should fear, – if I were loved by thee?
All the inner, all the outer world of pain
Clear Love would pierce and cleave, if thou wert mine,
As I have heard that, somewhere in the main,
Fresh water springs come up through bitter brine.
‘Twere joy, not fear, clasped hand in hand with thee,
To wait for death, mute, careless of all ills,
Apart upon a mountain, tho the surge
Of some new deluge from a thousand hills
Flung leagues of roaring foam into the gorge
Below us, as far on as eye could see.
Alfred Lord Tennyson
I Have
I have walked alone seeking answers, I have lived alone chasing dreams,
I have tried to prove my worth to worthless judges; I have cried my pain in silent screams,
I have been sometimes served a touch of kindness; I have wandered in golden fields of grace,
I have been released by honest laughter; I have touched the Western Wall of the Holy Place,
I have soared alone above the cloud heads; I have walked the deep dark tunnels of the Earth,
I have dined with mystics and with prophets; I have heard the pain of woman giving birth,
I have been sought after as a teacher, I have been refused the Laurel Wreath,
I have heard the thunder blast of sunrise; I have watched the final touch of death,
I have played the rules set by the masters, though often I didn’t understand the game,
I have worn more masks than I remember; I have been a face without a name.
Leonard Nimoy (yes, I know, I couldn’t resist)
Prologue, Intended for a Dramatic Piece of King Edward the Fourth
O for a voice like thunder, and a tongue
To drown the throat of war! When the senses
Are shaken, and the soul is driven to madness,
Who can stand?
Who can stand?
When the souls of the oppressed
Fight in the troubled air that rages, who can stand?
When the whirlwind of fury comes from the
Throne of God, when the frowns of his countenance
Drive the nations together,
Who can stand?
When Sin claps his broad wings over the battle
And sails rejoicing in the flood of Death;
When souls are torn to everlasting fire,
And fiends of Hell rejoice upon the slain,
Who can stand?
O who hath caused this?
Who can answer at the throne of God?
The kings and nobles of the land have done it!
Hear it not, Heaven, thy ministers have done it!
William Blake
Merry Christmas And Happy New Year!
Little cullud Rastus come a-skippin’ down de street,
A-smilin’ and a-grinnin’ at every one he meet;
My, oh! He was happy! Boy, but was he gay!
Wishin’ “Merry Chris’mus, Happy New-Year’s Day!”
Wishin’ that his wishes might every one come true
And – bless your dear heart, honey, – I wish the same to you!
Ellis Parker Butler
Icy wings? Been reading Mallarme’s ‘Le vierge, le vivace et le bel aujourd’hui’ recently? 😀
I love that Poe piece, fits so well and a wonderfully musical, avant-garde power-chorded version was done by crazy Norwegians Arcturus years ago.
Hi, I’m Emily Dickinson, I’m going to be brilliant in ten lines. I’m not jealous. Grumble. But Tennyson? I’m shocked. 😎
Awesome stuff, Jas. Really is amazing how so much brilliant verse perfectly encapsulates the soul of the show, its *humanity*.
Jas, you are wonderfull, this was so beautiful. I loved each and every piece and they were excellent and deep and true… *sniffle*
I *heart* you for this 🙂
I gotta add that I especially was taken with the first one from William Henley. That was lovely and very fitting with our two heroes. Also loved the ones from Poe and Frost. But they were all great, full of thought and grace. True brilliance. I have no words.
I love this site 🙂 This is love and peace and trust all over. And I’m not being sarcastic (sorry Dean) 😉
Hi Jasminka
Wow! This was wonderfull.
Thank-you so much.
Jasminka, you are a wonder!
So appropriate and moving for our brothers. Very emotion inducing. (sniffling desperately)
These are wonderful–haven’t had much time for poetry since college (when I was required to make time), but I’d have loved these even if I’d never heard of the brothers Winchester
I hope it’s okay that i didn’t read a single word that was written in this article because i was too occupied drooling over the pictures that accompanied each poems. :roll::
Beautiful, Jas…as always. Loved the poems, one and all, and SOOOOO much enjoyed the screen caps. So poignantly placed. Hope your holidays are happy and safe, and look forward to hearing from you next year.
Sablegreen, anene, elenaM, Bevie, Karen, Supernarttu and Randal, happy new year and thanks so much for your sweet comments!!
After a great vacation with the people most dear to me I returned safely home. To be able to live (almost) without a computer and the internet was actually not bad, there were so many things to do, time to spend with each other (some of them I hardly see twice a year due to working conditions… don’t get me started), so I find my batteries recharged and I’m ready for this year…
Randal, to my shame I have to admit I haven’t read Mallarme a lot… does Rimbaud count (that one I love)? And, hell, yes, Tennyson… you can’t be at all surprised, eh?
Last time I was in London I went (and I do every time) to the National Portrait Gallery and for the first time I saw a painting of the young Tennyson (they change the exhibited pieces, you know). I was stunned. It’s a great thing you can acquire a print of every painting they have, and he lives now in a frame on my wall, watching over my poetry books. Beautiful, beautiful man… Sorry for rambling… And, again – yes, Poe… beloved, tragic Poe… that poem is pure music….
Supernarttu, that poem by Henley is probably my favourite. Whenever I feel down or weak (it happens) I think of Invictus (you can hear me mumbling it) and it always reminds me of the energy that lives in my soul, and I feel better. Instant magic. ).
Karen and Bevie, I’m so happy to have been able to move you with these words… these poets were/are true masters…
elenaM, perhaps you should take those poetry books out again? I bet you’ll have fun re-discovering some…
anene, sweet… well, the great thing is, poems can be read again and again and again, hehehe….
Sablegreen, I’m happy you loved the poems and caps… The great thing about composing an article like this (and the credit goes to the poets, here, I only put it together) is – I’m allowed to insert pics I personally love… Writing for this site does have a lot of perks…
Thanks, y’all (getting better with the Southern accent),
Jas