Another week with no posts between Poetry Fridays! I've got to do something about that.
I keep thinking I need something serious this week, with the disasters everywhere and the anniversary of 9/11 coming up this weekend, but I keep coming back to this one. After all, what better time to appreciate what is beautiful in our world, to appreciate it this afternoon, because it might not be there tomorrow? The line I love most in this poem is "I will touch a hundred flowers and not pick one." Can we enjoy the world around us without needing to possess it or exploit it or develop it? Taking nothing but photos?
Afternoon on a Hill
Edna St. Vincent Millay
I will be the gladdest thing
Under the sun!
I will touch a hundred flowers
And not pick one.
I will look at cliffs and clouds
With quiet eyes,
Watch the wind bow down the grass,
And the grass rise.
And when lights begin to show
Up from the town,
I will mark which must be mine,
And then start down!
I wish I could spend this afternoon on a hill, but sadly I must grade instead. Here's today's roundup.
2 hours ago
4 comments:
My daughter memorized this one for language last year. These are good thoughts for today -- appreciating what's beautiful, however transient it may be.
I love Edna St. Vincent Millay. I've always liked that line about touching a hundred flowers and not picking one. Thanks for reminding me of this lovely poem!
I agree -- nothing is more important than living in appreciation for our world at this very moment.
Okay, this is your last day before Friday to post something other than a Poetry Friday post. Waiting, waiting...
:-)
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