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Tuesday 18 January 2011

Some Poetry for a Tuesday

 


Just as a photograph or a piece of music can evoke  a  reaction in our human soul, so can a certain poem that we may have read or heard at some time in our lives.  

 I have always loved this poem, ever since it was read out at the funeral scene in Four Weddings and a Funeral.  I would like to share it with you today, and hope you like it.  To me, it is a wonderfully, romantic piece about someone we love dearly no longer being present in our life, at least not in the physical sense.

W. H. Auden - "Stop All The Clocks..."


Stop all the clocks, cut off the telephone,
Prevent the dog from barking with a juicy bone,
Silence the pianos and with muffled drum
Bring out the coffin, let the mourners come.

Let aeroplanes circle moaning overhead
Scribbling on the sky the message He Is Dead,
Put crepe bows round the white necks of the public doves,
Let the traffic policemen wear black cotton gloves.

He was my North, my South, my East and West,
My working week and my Sunday rest,
My noon, my midnight, my talk, my song;
I thought that love would last for ever: I was wrong.

The stars are not wanted now: put out every one;
Pack up the moon and dismantle the sun;
Pour away the ocean and sweep up the wood.
For nothing now can ever come to any good
.

17 comments:

Donna B. said...

This is one of my most FAVORITE poems. I posted it on my blog awhile back (look for it under label POEMS). I loved that movie as well. I think I watched it at least five times. I also loved NOTTING HILL and have the soundtrack. Another fav. It was so enjoyable reading it again...

not displayed said...

I love this, almost make me cry though

Rebecca said...

what a great poem love it and i love how the person put their entire life into another's hand and when they were gone they were no more

Unknown said...

That to me speaks of true love in it's purest sense.

BB said...

This is a really great poem. Sad but so true isn't it? Thanks for sharing it. I am not a poetry lover but one that's easy to read like this I do enjoy.

Shady Del Knight said...

It's fascinating how many different ways there are to acknowledge death. Nobody knows the "correct" way to mark the occasion because death remains a mystery. Most of us fear it and want to avoid even thinking about it. If a famous and well loved person dies at a ripe old age we tend to smile and salute him or her for a job well done, a life well lived. If that same type of person dies young and tragically, the shockwaves and the grief can bring an entire country to a standstill for a while. Some deaths are observed with tearful eulogies delivered to sobbing mourners. Others are celebrated with parades and jazz bands playing.

Gawgus things... said...

I so love this poem. Like you, I heard it first on Four Weddings...I'd love to know what or whom inspired him to write it.

Unknown said...

What a beautiful poem, true love it describes indeed!

Belle said...

A lovely poem. It perfectly describes the initial feelings one has at the death of a loved one. When you are going to that funeral, you are surprised the world around you keeps moving.

Jumble Mash said...

I got a little teary eyed there. Great poem though.

vintch said...

this poem is spectacular. it evokes so many raw, true emotions. bravo for finding and sharing it. happy tuesday, sweet friend!

Southhamsdarling said...

Donna B = it seems to have hit a chord with a lot of people, and, as you say, the film was great. I also loved Notting Hill. Also About a Boy, which also starred Hugh Grant.

Mynx - it IS sad, isn't it. I find that it gets sadder the more times I read it!!!

Becca - it certainly is a real love story going on there.

Odie - I couldn't agree more.

Gawgus things - I think he wrote it when his lover died.

Bouncin'Barb - I'm glad you were able to enjoy this poem, even though poetry might not be your thing. Hope also that you are feeling a bit brighter today!

Shady - yes,it's amazing how different people and different cultures deal with death. I well remember the jazz band playing in the James Bond Film! I suppose no-one really wants people to die before their time, whereas, when they have reached a ripe old age, then it is a natural conclusion, and we can celebrate the life they had.

mskanorado - I thought it was rather beautiful. Glad you liked it also.

Belle - how very very true.

Jumble Mash - I didn't mean to make you cry!

vintch - Happy Tuesday to you too. Raw emotions indeed.

Olive said...

We are on the same page today I think. I am very sad thinking of my very sick friend who I love so much. I also enjoy a lot of Yeats love poems. ♥O

Southhamsdarling said...

Olive - I have just read your post dear friend, and I was so very sorry to hear the news about your friend. I'm sure you will be as supportive as you possibly can, and that will mean a lot to her. Sending hugs.

colenic said...

This is beautiful...thank you for sharing...I am sure it is one that we all go back to from time to time...

Bethe77 said...

That is a beautiful poem Thisisme! I love poetry and I think it brings us such joy to here it read. Thank you for letting me know to come by and read this. You are right it diffently touches one that we can no longer be with phyically. Have a surper blessed Valentines day.

Southhamsdarling said...

Bethe77 - I'm glad you were able to pick up the link and read this poem. I love it!