John Keats - 1795-1821

John Keats - 1795-1821
A thing of beauty is a joy for ever: Its loveliness increases; it will never Pass into nothingness; but still will keep A bower quiet for us, and a sleep Full of sweet dreams, and health, and quiet breathing …

Monday 30 April 2007

EXISTENCE

I was very fortunate in having one of my poems published in our local church magazines recently, and thought I would share it with you.

A little fieldmouse, nibbling fallen grains
On the edge of a summer wheat field,
Apprehensively glances at the clear, blue sky
Where danger's never far away,
Whence any moment hawk may swoop
And dash out his little life.

But it's summer and the sun is warm;
The ripe corn smells good, and the shed grains
Are spread on the earth for his dinner,
He is happy and that is all that matters.

Even if these be his last few moments
The gift of existence will have been worthwhile,
Risk, danger, death, and all
How else could things have been arranged.

The weather at the weekend has been glorious, so much so that we were able to eat Al Fresco in the garden. Tables and chairs, hammocks, large parasol, and coloured lanterns attached to the apple tree, which is in full blossom at present.
We only had a number of ten people including some of our family, but it was great fun, and we stayed long into the evening with much social chatter, and I have to say the wine did flow, not purple I hasten to add, but near enough.

Wow, we have all come along way on Purplecoo since it began two weeks ago, and what a circle of friends we have. Westerwitch and Lixtroll are just amazing, and deserve a medal. I wonder where we would be if it had not been for them, certainly not on the other planet.

13 comments:

Faith said...

Morning Camilla. That's a lovely poem. I write poetry sometimes and have had a couple of things published in a niche magazine. I hope you will write some more.

I feel I know you a little better than some of the others I have picked cards for, so focussing on what I know about you, and at 08.40 on 1st May, I picked 'Purpose' and 'Humour'. Sometimes two want to come out together and these two did. Sometimes they stick together or one just falls out after the other. I hope they have meaning and help you through the day.

Inthemud said...

Hi Camilla,

That's a lovely little poem quite profound.
You must write more!
Warmest wishes
Elaine

CAMILLA said...

Thank you so much dear Faith, for choosing cards for me "Purpose and Humour", they are so me. They will help me through the day I'm sure.

Love writing poetry, and short stories, finished a very short ghost story recently, based on a very old fashioned theme.
Camilla.xx

CAMILLA said...

Hello Elaine,
Would like to have a book published with just poems in, but I always seem so busy.
Camilla.xx

CAMILLA said...

I am having trouble leaving a comment for Countrymousie on her blog today. I have signed in,but cannot leave comment when I put my cursor onto leave comment. Oh bother!
Camilla.

Frances said...

Good evening from New York, Camilla.
My shop is the Flatiron district shop that you will see on the shops page of www.eileenfisher.com.
There is a very real Eileen, who started the company about 22 years ago.
Muriel Spark another fave of mine.
Late tonight, but we will have to do some more communicating!

Kitty said...

What a lovely poem - that's one style of writing I'd never be any good at - my thinking's not deep enough I fear! Well done at getting it into print.

Al Fresco eating is such a treat in this country, sounds like a wonderful weekend. Kitty x

Woozle1967 said...

Lovely poem, Camilla. Am enjoying eating outside too now, but still a little chilly here later in the evening, so haven't lit any of our lanterns yet. Here's hoping we will soon.xx

Eden said...

How else indeed, Camilla, risk and danger and the only certainty we all face death. I wish the mouse many such happy nibbles of golden grain before the end. k
Thanks for all your comments. So nice to be beginning to blog again. Hope to do more soon as time allows. Your al fresco evening sounds idyllic.

Kitty said...

Hi Camilla, sorry can't help with the rose, it was in the lovely garden at Scampston Hall in East Yorkshire. It is so beautiful, isn't it?

I do alter pixels on this site, but I don't think you necessarily have to, I just make the pics smaller than my originals. I don't do anything to resolution though. Wouldn't know where to start. Having said that, the primula picture was just pulled straight in from my picture library wihtout changing anything, and it seems fine. I think you can just download them as you can choose the size when you do so - small, medium, large. Very easy!

Westerwitch/Headmistress said...

Thank you for the lovely poem and for the praise - red face and a bit misty now.

Cait O'Connor said...

Lovely poem. Do post some more, you know I love poetry,
Thanks for your book recommendations.
Caitx

CAMILLA said...

Thank you for comments, most kind.
Camilla.x