Friday, May 01, 2020

Poetry Friday: May

May Night Poem
by Sara Teasdale

The spring is fresh and fearless
And every leaf is new,
The world is brimmed with moonlight,
The lilac brimmed with dew.

Here in the moving shadows
I catch my breath and sing --
My heart is fresh and fearless
And over-brimmed with spring.

I imagine the spring flowers are out as normal. There aren't actually that many I can see from my yard, but the flowering trees that are visible, like a frangipani and African tulip across the street, are starting to look very lovely. I haven't been out in quite a while. I'm not sure my heart is very fresh and fearless most of the time, but there are moments when it is, and I try to enjoy those moments to the fullest. I'm very grateful for the good health and safety my family is enjoying right now.

Elizabeth Steinglass has today's roundup.

10 comments:

Michelle Heidenrich Barnes said...

Fresh and fearless seems to be a wonderful stance to adopt, for this spring in particular.

jan godown annino said...

Hello dear Ruth of the the country where you live.
Tropical trees you see from the window of course! Lucky duck. No plain tiny pale dogwood flower for you.
I know they are promising lush & pink/purple what-ever! tropical flowers.Likely fragrant, if a breeze wafts some of their summer perfume your way. I hope they bloom bigger this year to make up for #saferathome.
Appreciations for the Sara Teasdale poem - I saw what she did with brim!

jan annino

Linda Mitchell said...

Wouldn't it be nice if hearts could be fresh and fearless when we needed them to be? I'd like that, please! I do love the new leaves. They are friends that have returned. I'm so happy to see their dewy, soft selves. My lilac is blooming. You remind me I need to go out and enjoy it before it is done.

Mary Lee said...

One of the unexpected benefits of being home has been watching every small change in my small garden. The columbine I planted last fall are up, the clematis is budding, the leatherleaf viburnum has never been so covered with blooms. Thank you (and Sara T.) for reminding me to keep my heart "fresh and fearless."

Liz Steinglass said...

I think the most we can hope for is to feel fresh and fearless sometimes and appreciate it when we do. I like that the feeling came through in the form of the poem. It feels fresh and fearless. I'm glad that you are safe and well.

Linda B said...

This poem makes me want to go skipping out across the lawn, celebrating spring! We don't have much blooming yet, Ruth, but they're on their way! I hope you find some joy this month, hoping it brings good days for us.

Janice Scully said...

I love Teasdale's poem brimming with spring. So glad you and your family is well and you are enjoying spring's coming to town.

Janice Scully said...

My grammar! I'm so glad you and your family are well!

Karen Eastlund said...

Lovely poem to share, just right for the time. Best wishes to you and yours for continued health and safety.

Tara said...

Fresh and fearless is the perfect description for Spring.