Glad sight wherever new with old
by William Wordsworth
Glad sight wherever new with old
Is joined through some dear homeborn tie;
The life of all that we behold
Depends upon that mystery.
Vain is the glory of the sky,
The beauty vain of field and grove
Unless, while with admiring eye
We gaze, we also learn to love.
Every year at the Ohio Casting for Recovery retreat we spend some time early on Sunday morning down by the pond singing together, reading a couple of poems together, and blessing each other with words and hugs.
I am never ready for the emotions that invariably rise up in my heart and streak down my face, almost from the first moment I stand in that circle of new and old friends.
The fleeting beauty of the pond, the autumn snap in the air, the brief time we have together that weekend, the knowledge that no matter how long we have on this beautiful earth we will not want to leave when it is our time, the remembrance of those who have already had to leave, the thoughts of those who have recently had their life shift in an instant with a diagnosis...all of this breaks my heart and then glues it back together again in a new and beautiful design.
I cry, I sob...and then I wipe my tears and laugh again. We go to breakfast, gear up, get a little crazy, and head back to the pond full of life and energy and hope.
The new and the old are joined together for me at that pond; the past and the future both live there simultaneously in those brief moments. The beauty of life is seen and felt and heard with a rare clarity...and then life goes on.
Happy Poetry Friday! Laura has the roundup at Writing the World for Kids.
by William Wordsworth
Glad sight wherever new with old
Is joined through some dear homeborn tie;
The life of all that we behold
Depends upon that mystery.
Vain is the glory of the sky,
The beauty vain of field and grove
Unless, while with admiring eye
We gaze, we also learn to love.
Every year at the Ohio Casting for Recovery retreat we spend some time early on Sunday morning down by the pond singing together, reading a couple of poems together, and blessing each other with words and hugs.
I am never ready for the emotions that invariably rise up in my heart and streak down my face, almost from the first moment I stand in that circle of new and old friends.
The fleeting beauty of the pond, the autumn snap in the air, the brief time we have together that weekend, the knowledge that no matter how long we have on this beautiful earth we will not want to leave when it is our time, the remembrance of those who have already had to leave, the thoughts of those who have recently had their life shift in an instant with a diagnosis...all of this breaks my heart and then glues it back together again in a new and beautiful design.
I cry, I sob...and then I wipe my tears and laugh again. We go to breakfast, gear up, get a little crazy, and head back to the pond full of life and energy and hope.
The new and the old are joined together for me at that pond; the past and the future both live there simultaneously in those brief moments. The beauty of life is seen and felt and heard with a rare clarity...and then life goes on.
Happy Poetry Friday! Laura has the roundup at Writing the World for Kids.
Thank you for allowing us to come on your journey. Your description at the pond was perfect. Happy Friday!
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing this.
ReplyDeleteGood morning, Mary Lee. Thanks for sharing this story and the poem. I get the feeling that the weekend was renewing, as well as emotional for you.
ReplyDeleteHow thankful I am to have your wise and gentle spirit in my life! Your description of this time sounds like it could be a poem. Think I need to roll Wordsworth around and sort of digest him for a little while.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your story and perspective, Mary Lee, and for sharing your heart's new and beautiful design. -Ed
ReplyDeleteSweet. I love your photo matched with this poem and your story. What a precious weekend to experience yet again!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your personal thoughts and feelings about this experience. Especially poignant to hear this month. ((hugs))
ReplyDeleteOh, Mary Lee. I love both the poem and your post. Whew--I am fantastically emptied after reading this, and then refilled again.
ReplyDeleteYou are one of the good people in my life, Mary Lee. 'Feeling so grateful you are here with your quiet wisdom and perspective that we all need. xo, a.
ReplyDeleteJust beautiful...the poem, the photo and the post.And the circle of friendship, comfort and support that all of you contribute to and share in.
ReplyDeleteThis is so lovely and moving, Mary Lee. I am glad you have a warm circle of friends to swaddle you.
ReplyDeleteMary Lee... that was so beautiful. Thank you for sharing that moment from your life.
ReplyDeleteIt must have been hard to try to convey this experience - and yet you did it so beautifully, and with clarity. I love Wordsworth. The photo is gorgeous. Deep appreciation for your sharing this, Mary Lee.
ReplyDeleteFinally found the time, and I'm so glad I did, Mary Lee. I didn't know about this organization, but it sounds so supportive and loving. Thank you for sharing such a personal post.
ReplyDeletePeaceful and hopeful...two words I would also use to describe a pond. Your photo and very personal story were touching.
ReplyDeleteThank you for opening your heart and inviting us in. It is all about love, isn't it?
ReplyDelete