Let's get lyrical
Ruth, from Chaos Theory, reminds us it's Poetry Month. So, jumping on the literary bookwagon, as a short reprieve from the usual abrasive, noisome, childish petulance that constitutes my typical blog entries, I thought to instead offer some tender verse as 'hyacinths for the soul' - and perhaps coyly reveal my true inner squishy marshmallow centre protectively encased beneath the macho, battle-hardened, titanium-plated exterior :-)
After agonising over worthy inclusion (Shakespeare? Ovid? Homer? Britney Spears?) I initially decided to extract one of the better known poroporoaki (elegies) which, imo, contain the most sublime eloquence in all Maori oratory. But later in bed reading the Bible, voila! Right there, the answer! Of course! A cornocupia of options from the greatest literary masterpiece in history. I strongly recommend the Good Book to anyone with even the most fleeting interest in Western literature, regardless of one's spiritual persuasion, for its sheer beauty & mastery of language.
My choice an excerpt from Song of Songs, a book of 'sensuous love poetry' often perplexing or surprising readers given the directive against wanton carnal pleasures in all major religions: "you are more than your body alone." Whether it's actually a traditional Semitic wedding song, an ode for enraptured lovebirds, or a metaphor for God's love for mankind - we'll leave that for biblical scholars to debate. In the meantime, a quick peek, taken almost at random since the entire book is infused with reverie & delicate romance.
Song of Songs, Chpt 2: 3-7
3 Like an apple tree among the trees of the forest is my lover among the young men.
I delight to sit in his shade, and his fruit is sweet to my taste.
4 He has taken me to the banquet hall, and his banner over me is love.
5 Strengthen me with raisins, refresh me with apples, for I am faint with love.
6 His left arm is under my head, and his right arm embraces me.
7 Daughters of Jerusalem, I charge you by the gazelles and by the does of the field:
Do not arouse or awaken love until it so desires.
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2 comments:
You combine the attributes of romanticism/intellectualism. Can't understand why you are still single Phil.
That's nothing phil. The very initials of my blog identity come from the following words of the Bard:
Since brass, nor stone, nor earth, nor boundless sea,
But sad mortality o'ersways their power,
How with this rage shall beauty hold a plea,
Whose action is no stronger than a flower?
O how shall summer's honey breath hold out
Against the wrackful siege of battering days
When rocks impregnable are not so stout,
Nor gates of steel so strong, but time decays?
O fearful meditation! Where, alack,
Shall time's best jewel from time's chest lie hid,
Or what strong hand can hold his swift foot back?
Or who his spoil of beauty can forbid?
O none, unless this miracle have might:
That in black ink my love may still shine bright.
- William Shakespeare
A favourite of mine.
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