...~* Poetry from my heart of hearts *~...

[Kätzchen]

Once in a blue moon, I feel inspired to share a poem that has meant a lot to me, even if the poem is authored by someone else other than me. I've shared a few of the poems I've written over the years, but I've also shared poems authored by others whose poetry has helped me to process what I think and feel about things in the world.

Today, I want to share the poem penned by Leonard Cohen: Anthem. It's off his 1992 album, titled The Future.

My favorite strand of thought from his poetic verse, is as follows:

"There's a crack in everything. That's how the light gets in." ~ Leonard Cohen (Anthem).

Anthem

by Leonard Cohen


The birds they sang
At the break of day
Start again
I heard them say
Don't dwell on what
Has passed away
Or what is yet to be

Yeah the wars they will
Be fought again
The holy dove
She will be caught again
Bought and sold
And bought again
The dove is never free

Ring the bells that still can ring
Forget your perfect offering
There is a crack, a crack in everything
That's how the light gets in

We asked for signs
The signs were sent:
The birth betrayed
The marriage spent
Yeah the widowhood
Of every government
Signs for all to see

I can't run no more
With that lawless crowd
While the killers in high places
Say their prayers out loud
But they've summoned, they've summoned up
A thundercloud
And they're going to hear from me

Ring the bells that still ring
Forget your perfect offering
There is a crack, a crack in everything
That's how the light gets in

You can add up the parts
You won't have the sum
You can strike up the march
There is no drum
Every heart, every heart
To love will come
But like a refugee

Ring the bells that still can ring
Forget your perfect offering
There is a crack, a crack in everything
That's how the light gets in


Ring the bells that still can ring
Forget your perfect offering
There is a crack, a crack in everything
That's how the light gets in
That's how the light gets in
That's how the light gets in








Link to story about this particular song by Cohen is found @ Quartz magazine ( HERE).

[Kätzchen]

Here is a poem I penned and contributed to Arwen's 9 words: a poetry challenge thread:

9 words:
perfection, beauty, truth, damaged, trick, proud, demons, pretty, control

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Hiding behind the veneer of
damaged beauty, is
nothing but sheer love
of self interest, in
the name of proud demons
not worthy of a sinner's reproach.
Truth is, control is no
Perfection:
It's a trick, if you trade
Self worth ---
In exchange for
What's yours, by birth.

-Kätzchen-
(May 14th, 2013)

[Kätzchen]

I was browsing through a personal collection of favorite poems, this morning, and came across a poem by Sara Teasdale. When I read it, it felt like Teasdale was describing how I feel, right now, about the person I spend my time with and dearly love with all my heart. I dedicate this poem to my love (James) for all the many ways he lights a fire in my soul. Indeed, I am 'swept by the tempest of (James's) love'.


~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~


I Am Not Yours

by Sara Teasdale


I am not yours, not lost in you,
Not lost, although I long to be
Lost as a candle lit at noon,
Lost as a snowflake in the sea.

You love me, and I find you still
A spirit beautiful and bright,
Yet I am I, who long to be
Lost as a light is lost in light.

Oh plunge me deep in love—put out
My senses, leave me deaf and blind,
Swept by the tempest of your love,
A taper in a rushing wind.

[Kätzchen]

[Kätzchen]

[Kätzchen]

Last year marked the 200th anniversary of this much beloved Christmas poem story… I have loved this poem since I was a young girl.

[Kätzchen]

I’ve always liked certain strands of thought by Kahlil Gibran; especially the poem he wrote about marriage. In many ways, I try to emulate the essence of what he speaks to when cultivating a relationship. In my mind, it’s not just for marriage. This is what I am mindfully thinking about today: The Gibran’s understanding of what it takes to keep a relationship healthy.