May beauty in nature, art, family, friends, faith — however one seeks comfort — be found.
HENRY WADSWORTH LONGFELLOW
Longfellow (1807-1882) and Fanny Appleton (1819-1861) had six children. Fanny, their third child, died at 15 months in 1849. I was thinking about this poem this week.
The Open Window. The old house by the lindens Stood silent in the shade, And on the gravelled pathway The light and shadow played. I saw the nursery windows Wide open to the air; But the faces of the children, They were no longer there. The large Newfoundland house-dog Was standing by the door; He looked for his little playmates, Who would return no more. They walked not under the lindens, They played not in the hall; But shadow, and silence, and sadness Were hanging over all. The birds sang in the branches, With sweet, familiar tone; But the voices of the children Will be heard in dreams alone! And the boy that walked beside me, He could not understand Why closer in mine, ah ! closer, I pressed his warm, soft hand !
The Open Window. Seaside and the Fireside published 1849
AMANDA GORMAN
New York Times brilliant op ed selection, Amanda Gorman’s guest column, Hymn for the Hurting, published Saturday edition, May 28, 2022.
calling Mary Oliver, Pablo Neruda
Pablo Neruda
“and in the streets the blood of the children ran simply, like children’s blood.”
Pablo Neruda I’m Explaining a few things
salve after salvo
Good Morning Gloucester 