Conversing with Blake

It is a known fact
that as he stood admiring
a fine skyline of the city of London,
in all its breathtaking splendour,
Blake conversed with the sun
from atop Primrose Hill.

Content I would have been,
if he'd sat with me, upon this bench
hewn out of a fallen tree,
strategically placed to appreciate
the quiet slopes of our valley.

Sweeping from feet to depths below
while the glow of sol burnishes
where meadow hay once danced.
Now cut back, rolled, perfectly baled
to bake in warm sunlight.

Like ink blots on yellowed parchment,
crows in random rows,
in their black coats and tails
pause in golden stubble,
resembling musical notes
on a composer's manuscript.

I am singing, I am singing.

Reviews

[Betty Hermelee]

I wish he could have stood with me….atop….and the the loveliest images begin to appear before our eyes, the hills, valleys, farms, the crows all dressed in their black suits “ resembling musical notes”… on and on with magical imagery… so we’ll done Chris.
Best,
B.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Betty for visiting this old poem out for an airing. You are appreciated.

Chris

[Betty Hermelee]

My pleasure Chris😊

[Rhayne]

Took my mind to a place my body yearns to go! The rolled hay reminded me of the day my son started screaming and crying as we passed a field of rolls. I pulled to the side of the road thinking that maybe he had been stung by a bee or wasp that could have flown in the window. As I checked him, he's trying to get past me and out of the car, screaming, Santa! Santa! We gotta help Santa! He grabbed my hand and pulled me back toward the field. That's when I started laughing. I realized he had seen it. Someone had put Santa's red panted legs and black booted feet sticking out of the center of one of the rolls. I had to take him all the way there to prove it wasn't real. He was only four at the time. Thanks for the great memory and a new place to store in my mind's eye to visit now and then. You're great at this stuff called poetry!

[Chris Shaw]

Rhayne, that is a great memory you have shared here, really got me smiling. I'm just pleased that this little poem had such a great impact on you. Those memories with our children are priceless :) Thank you ever so.

Chris

[Eilis]

Phew, Chris. This is stunning. Such imagery. I love the section about the crows, your descriptions are whimsical and vivid.

I love that you start the poem with: “It is a known fact,” because it reminds me of one of the things I love about my poetry writing experience. The things I have learned from others. I didn’t know that about Blake, but the thing about poetry that is cool is you’re often entering in medias res, so there’s this sense that if you listen and try to understand you can fall right into the conversation and no one will even know you are learning as you go.

We are all speaking to each other here. And, your desire to show us Blake’s world and to be part of it in turn brings us in. And the circle keeps going. Things have staying power. The stories live on.

I also liked your use of sol because I felt like it conjured (also) ideas of the soul and that felt appropriate and necessary in the universe of this poem. After all, it seems in places like an incantation, an invocation- calling on the soul of Blake himself.

Really enjoyed this. Excellent poetry. Something to aspire to.

[Chris Shaw]

Dear Eilis, I was delighted to hear your thoughts about this write, so interesting your viewpoint. Also I must thank you for your very encouraging and generous response. It is I Eilis that tries to aspire to your level.

Chris.

[Eilis]

That is a generous comment from you, Chris. Just happy to be here learning from everyone and talking about poetry. Thank you.

[Chris Shaw]

Yes, it's a good place Eilis to hang out. Happy to be here :))

[Edie Blue Starfish]

Beautiful. Blake would approve. I've been reading more of the classics of late, William Blake among them.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Edie. I often return to the classical poets. That's where I was grounded. Really appreciate your visit.

Chris

[‘Thoughts In Time..]

Beautiful how you see a songs notes in nature around you even in a built up city...beauty in eye of beholder...effective words and vision of the mind...unique 🌹

[Chris Shaw]

Kelly, lovely to receive a visit from you and I thank you for your encouraging words. All good wishes.

Chris

[John the Baptist]

It just so happens I am at this time reading the Penguin Books edition of Blake's complete poems. The last verses of your poem especially capture Blake's spirit in his mature years, when his wife commented that he spent much of his time in heaven. On the other hand, some of the works of his youth were pretty earthy.

[Chris Shaw]

Many thanks John. Enjoy reading Blake.

Chris

[wordman]

well you painted some beautiful images,almost as if i were there

[Chris Shaw]

I appreciate your visit Ron. Thank you.

Chris

[wordman]

you`re welcome chris

[The Rock And Roll Cowbo..]

When reading this I felt like I was transported to another time and place. Your words have quite an I'mpact on the imagination and heart.

[Chris Shaw]

That's a lovely review you have given me Dale, and I thank you for it.

Chris

[Fairy Khan]

Three cheers for the imagery!
You have given life to this poem with your use of words and deep imagination.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Fairy for your lovely review. Pleased to see you.

Chris

[Kent Rawski]

This is beautiful work delicately filling our senses with poetic gaze instilling picturesque phrases that take us on a journey of thought mind and sight your spirit free to sing you have captured much here this thrills the soul

[Chris Shaw]

Many thanks Kent. I too am thrilled that you should like my lines as much as you do. A truly lovely review, so I shall thank you again.

Chris

[R.E. Ray]

Chris, not only a fine poem but a scene for a painter. I imagine two sitting on that bench admiring the landscape, reflecting on poetry, art and music. A wonderful place we'd like to see.

[Chris Shaw]

It was a picture of perfection sitting their Robert. The dog appreciated it too. A wonderful view of the valley after a climb and in warm sunlight. Purr fect. Many thanks for your review and thoughts.

Chris