"Love in the Country"
We live like this: no one but
some of the owls awake, and of them
only near ones really awake.
In the rain yesterday, puddles
on the walk to the barn sounded their
quick little drinks.
The edge of the haymow, all
soaked in moonlight,
dreams out there like silver music.
Are there farms like this where
no one likes to live?
And the sky going everywhere?
While the earth breaks the soft horizon
eastward, we study how to deserve
what has already been given us.
~ William Stafford
The photograph is mine.
ohhh love this ...
ReplyDeleteWhile the earth breaks the soft horizon
eastward, we study how to deserve
what has already been given us.
good morning ;)
I love those lines, too. Good Morning, Carolyn!
DeleteAnother poem that, like your photo, inspires me - you do find gems for us. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you like it, Cait. Stafford is one of my favorite poets.
DeleteA beautiful pairing of photo and poetry, Teresa. I saw this earlier - and found I needed time to absorb Stafford's words today, as it rains. Thank you, my dear. Thank you. (your banner is breathtaking as well)
ReplyDeleteHi Penny, It's a poem that grows on you, I think. I like it so much and glad it spoke to you. Thank you so much.
DeleteYour header picture just knocked my socks off. Oh, right: I pulled them off earlier. But still... and the poem is simply perfect. :-)
ReplyDeleteIsn't that a great photo? I felt I could walk right into it... Glad you like the poem ... any day sans socks is a good day... :)
DeleteI love your header photo. Was it taken in Russia?
ReplyDeleteIt is, I believe, a Russian photographer, so I would say yes. They are technically very proficient photographers. It's a beauty, isn't it?
DeleteThe kind of scene so many folks have gotten away from. It must always continue to exist!
ReplyDeleteYes, I so agree. I can't, don't want to imagine a world without this way of life.
DeleteI think only those who have lived this dream will have true appreciation for these words that are put together with a rhythm that mimics the beat of the life in rural North America. Truly wonderful from this man's perspective (and a wonderful photo too!).
ReplyDeleteThat might well be true, Bill. I've always loved Stafford's simple cadence and perspective, told with a few beautiful phrases. I'm glad you like that photo. It's just down the road in the neighbor's field. He still farms and I get the benefit of photographing his labor.
DeleteTeresa -- Your header and the photo in this post are lovely. Country offers us so much beauty. And, really I find beauty can be found just about any where -- a puddle, moonlight, children, real folks, farms, small towns and on goes the list. ~~ barbara
DeleteThank you, Barbara. Like you, I see beauty in everything, especially in the simple details of life. You have such a good eye for it and have captured so many beautiful images/moments.
DeleteOOh, oooh! I loved that poem. I've been meaning to buy a book of William Stafford poems for ages. Cor, I love,
ReplyDelete'The edge of the haymow, all
soaked in moonlight,
dreams out there like silver music.'
Totally beautiful!!
Thanks for sticking with me Teresa, your comment today, and I love your header photograph I feel I'm swimming through a green sea as it opens.
Big hugs,
Jane
Aren't those beautiful phrases, Jane? I love haymows and that is a great way to describe one in moonlight. I was so happy to see a new post from you ... I hope you're feeling better and better all the time.
DeleteAnd a Big Hug for you!
Teresa
The poem and the photo are perfect together. And I agree with the others, your header photo is great!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Cat! I'm going to have fun with that aspect of my blog from now on. You've been inspiring as you always have great header photos. There are so many beautiful photos from Russia alone...
DeleteA beautiful poem AND an equally beautiful photo. You captured it perfectly. The light, shadows, vivid colors, perfect angle, and crystal-clear clarity. Your camera loves you. Don't ya just love the word "Haymow." Only a person who has lived in a rural area would know what it means. One of the things I miss about living in farm country is the smell of newly mown hay. Thank you for this post. It was perfect.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Steven. I do so love that word. It conjures a million memories it seems. I also love knowing we share so many similar memories. I love that smell, too. Another round of haying should start soon on both sides of me. I even love the sound of the mowers moving through the field. I'm so glad you like the post. Any day with a Steven comment in it is a good day...
DeleteThanks for that nice reply Teresa. I agree with you. I think I could have lived your life and you could have lived my life. I have a feeling that we would have ended up right here on your blog. The measure of your mind's wave length thankfully seems to be in tune with mine. I like that.
ReplyDeleteNow one thing I don't miss is stacking those hay bales in an ungodly hot barn loft. The great food provided by the farm wives did make it worth it. It also provided me with my first cold beer.
What an absolutely beautiful comment. I like our matching wavelengths, also. It's a good feeling to know you're out there, responding to life as I so often do.
DeleteI recall stacking the old square bales in the barn. I was young and so proud that I could hoist them into place. But, alas, it was always the hottest day of the summer. That is one fine way to earn your first cold beer. I think a poem lives inside this story... :)
Hmmmmmm. The hay baling experience would have been a bit more pleasant had it been you helping stack bales in the hayloft. A beautiful farm girl with a red head band, sweating in a white cotton t-shirt would tend to lessen the task at hand. Just saying".
ReplyDeleteI'm telling ya, I feel a poem comin' on... I'm all for lessening the task at hand... I can't seem to stop smiling and laughing... Thank you for that...
DeleteYou are too funny. One last thought on this. If it was really, really hot after baling hay we would go down to the 250 gallon stock tank, flip on the well pump to clear the scum off the top and also cool the water. After a few minutes of well pumping we would strip off our shirts and stand on the upper side of the tank and dunk our heads up to our waists. Darn right we would have invited you to do the same. For sure we would have been perfect gentlemen.
ReplyDeleteIs this where the white cotton t-shirt comes in, or is that off? :) Thank you for that wonderful moving picture... ;) Yes, ever the gentlemen, to be certain ... all part of the fun...
DeleteAnother match made in heaven. As everyone above agrees your photo and poem accentuate your skill as a blogger. The perfect mix to keep us coming back for more.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, John, What a nice thing to say...
DeleteDear Teresa, I so agree with "Raining Iguanas" about the marriage of photograph to poem or remembrance you share with all of us. Thank you. I got back from Minnesota last week and had a wonderful 10 days there. I'm hoping all is well in your world. Peace.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Dee. I'm happy to hear of your trip to MN. Ups and downs, but such is life ... All, all is well. :)
Delete"we study how to deserve
ReplyDeletewhat has already been given us."
Indeed. Beautiful. Thank you.
So good to hear from you, Will....
DeleteWhat a magnificent photo! I want to go there.
ReplyDeleteIt's just down the road...
Delete"...we study how to deserve
ReplyDeletewhat has already been given us. "
And if only we could realize how everything needful has been or will be given, how much less need for every kind of grasping there would be.
A wonderful poem, and a lovely, peace-filled photo.
"... everything needful has been or will be given..." - absolutely true, Linda. Thank you.
ReplyDelete