That was such a moving post, Fiona. I don't seem to read poetry much these days, which is a pity. The poem I will never forget is Wordsworth's "Intimations of Immortality" and that was because I saw a film called "Splendour in the Grass", all about repressed sexuality in the 50's, starring Natalie Wood and James Dean when I was in my teens. The last four lines have stayed with me :
"Though nothing can bring back the hour
Of splendor in the grass, glory in the flower
We will grieve not; rather find
Strength in what remains behind."
I did the Romantic Poets for A level English Lit and loved every word. I remember standing on Westminster Bridge with the boyfriend at the time, a warm summer night about 4 in the morning, after a party, and knowing exactly what Wordsworth meant when he wrote Composed upon Westminster Bridge in 1802.
That is such a lovely memory to share, Judy. Thank you. It's why poetry is so important for humanity - that poets can capture in words something that we ourselves have felt but couldn't articulate, or something we yearn for that we didn't realize was missing. I did say when I originally set this up that I would write about poetry, and I really enjoyed researching and writing this one.
Thank you, Wendy! It's great working with a conductor like Sam because he really understands, and teaches us, how to get the most out of our voices. I really like his arrangement of this poem.
That was such a moving post, Fiona. I don't seem to read poetry much these days, which is a pity. The poem I will never forget is Wordsworth's "Intimations of Immortality" and that was because I saw a film called "Splendour in the Grass", all about repressed sexuality in the 50's, starring Natalie Wood and James Dean when I was in my teens. The last four lines have stayed with me :
"Though nothing can bring back the hour
Of splendor in the grass, glory in the flower
We will grieve not; rather find
Strength in what remains behind."
I did the Romantic Poets for A level English Lit and loved every word. I remember standing on Westminster Bridge with the boyfriend at the time, a warm summer night about 4 in the morning, after a party, and knowing exactly what Wordsworth meant when he wrote Composed upon Westminster Bridge in 1802.
That is such a lovely memory to share, Judy. Thank you. It's why poetry is so important for humanity - that poets can capture in words something that we ourselves have felt but couldn't articulate, or something we yearn for that we didn't realize was missing. I did say when I originally set this up that I would write about poetry, and I really enjoyed researching and writing this one.
The snippet of your choir is beautiful, Fiona. I know the poem, but have never sung it. Very moving.
Thank you, Wendy! It's great working with a conductor like Sam because he really understands, and teaches us, how to get the most out of our voices. I really like his arrangement of this poem.