Ode on Intimations of Immortality from Recollections of Early Childhood by William Wordsworth
There was a time when meadow, grove, and stream, The earth, and every common sight To me did seem Apparelled in celestial light, The glory and the freshness of a dream. It is not now as it hath been of yore;– Turn wheresoe’er I may, By night or day, The things which I have seen I now can see no more.
The rainbow comes and goes, And lovely is the rose; The moon doth with delight Look round her when the heavens are bare; Waters on a starry night Are beautiful and fair; The sunshine is a glorious birth; But yet I know, where’er I go, That there hath past away a glory from the earth.
Now, while the birds thus sing a joyous song, And while the young lambs bound As to the tabor’s sound, To me alone there came a thought of grief: A timely utterance gave that thought relief, And I again am strong. The cataracts blow their trumpets from the steep,– No more shall grief of mine the season wrong: I hear the echoes through the mountains throng. The winds come to me from the fields of sleep, And all the earth is gay; Land and sea Give themselves up to jollity, And with the heart of May Doth every beast keep holiday;– Thou child of joy, Shout round me, let me hear thy shouts, thou happy Shepherd-boy!
Ye blesséd Creatures, I have heard the call Ye to each other make; I see The heavens laugh with you in your jubilee; My heart is at your festival, My head hath its coronal, The fulness of your bliss, I feel–I feel it all. O evil day! if I were sullen While Earth herself is adorning This sweet May-morning; And the children are culling On every side In a thousand valleys far and wide Fresh flowers; while the sun shines warm, And the babe leaps up on his mother’s arm:– I hear, I hear, with joy I hear! –But there’s a tree, of many, one, A single field which I have look’d upon, Both of them speak of something that is gone: The pansy at my feet Doth the same tale repeat: Whither is fled the visionary gleam? Where is it now, the glory and the dream?
Our birth is but a sleep and a forgetting; The Soul that rises with us, our life’s Star, Hath had elsewhere its setting And cometh from afar; Not in entire forgetfulness, And not in utter nakedness, But trailing clouds of glory do we come From God, who is our home: Heaven lies about us in our infancy! Shades of the prison-house begin to close Upon the growing Boy, But he beholds the light, and whence it flows, He sees it in his joy; The Youth, who daily farther from the east Must travel, still is Nature’s priest, And by the vision splendid Is on his way attended; At length the Man perceives it die away, And fade into the light of common day.
Earth fills her lap with pleasures of her own; Yearnings she hath in her own natural kind, And, even with something of a mother’s mind, And no unworthy aim, The homely nurse doth all she can To make her foster-child, her inmate, Man, Forget the glories he hath known, And that imperial palace whence he came.
Behold the Child among his new-born blisses, A six years’ darling of a pigmy size! See, where ‘mid work of his own hand he lies, Fretted by sallies of his mother’s kisses, With light upon him from his father’s eyes! See, at his feet, some little plan or chart, Some fragment from his dream of human life, Shaped by himself with newly-learned art; A wedding or a festival, A mourning or a funeral; And this hath now his heart, And unto this he frames his song: Then will he fit his tongue To dialogues of business, love, or strife; But it will not be long Ere this be thrown aside, And with new joy and pride The little actor cons another part; Filling from time to time his ‘humorous stage’ With all the Persons, down to palsied Age, That life brings with her in her equipage; As if his whole vocation Were endless imitation.
Thou, whose exterior semblance doth belie Thy soul’s immensity; Thou best philosopher, who yet dost keep Thy heritage, thou eye among the blind, That, deaf and silent, read’st the eternal deep, Haunted for ever by the eternal Mind,– Mighty Prophet! Seer blest! On whom those truths rest Which we are toiling all our lives to find, In darkness lost, the darkness of the grave; Thou, over whom thy Immortality Broods like the day, a master o’er a slave, A Presence which is not to be put by; To whom the grave Is but a lonely bed, without the sense of sight Of day or the warm light, A place of thoughts where we in waiting lie; Thou little child, yet glorious in the might Of heaven-born freedom on thy being’s height, Why with such earnest pains dost thou provoke The years to bring the inevitable yoke, Thus blindly with thy blessedness at strife? Full soon thy soul shall have her earthly freight, And custom lie upon thee with a weight Heavy as frost, and deep almost as life! 0 joy! that in our embers Is something that doth live, That Nature yet remembers What was so fugitive! The thought of our past years in me doth breed Perpetual benediction: not indeed For that which is most worthy to be blest, Delight and liberty, the simple creed Of Childhood, whether busy or at rest, With new-fledged hope still fluttering in his breast:– –Not for these I raise The song of thanks and praise; But for those obstinate questionings Of sense and outward things, Fallings from us, vanishings, Blank misgivings of a creature Moving about in worlds not realized, High instincts, before which our mortal nature Did tremble like a guilty thing surprised: But for those first affections, Those shadowy recollections, Which, be they what they may, Are yet the fountain-light of all our day, Are yet a master-light of all our seeing; Uphold us–cherish–and have power to make Our noisy years seem moments in the being Of the eternal Silence: truths that wake, To perish never; Which neither listlessness, nor mad endeavour, Nor man nor boy, Nor all that is at enmity with joy, Can utterly abolish or destroy! Hence, in a season of calm weather Though inland far we be, Our souls have sight of that immortal sea Which brought us hither; Can in a moment travel thither– And see the children sport upon the shore, And hear the mighty waters rolling evermore.
Then, sing, ye birds, sing, sing a joyous song! And let the young lambs bound As to the tabor’s sound! We, in thought, will join your throng, Ye that pipe and ye that play, Ye that through your hearts to-day Feel the gladness of the May! What though the radiance which was once so bright Be now for ever taken from my sight, Though nothing can bring back the hour Of splendour in the grass, of glory in the flower; We will grieve not, rather find Strength in what remains behind; In the primal sympathy Which having been must ever be; In the soothing thoughts that spring Out of human suffering; In the faith that looks through death, In years that bring the philosophic mind.
And 0, ye Fountains, Meadows, Hills, and Groves, Forebode not any severing of our loves! Yet in my heart of hearts I feel your might; I only have relinquish’d one delight To live beneath your more habitual sway; I love the brooks which down their channels fret Even more than when I tripp’d lightly as they; The innocent brightness of a new-born day Is lovely yet; The clouds that gather round the setting sun Do take a sober colouring from an eye That hath kept watch o’er man’s mortality; Another race hath been, and other palms are won. Thanks to the human heart by which we live, Thanks to its tenderness, its joys, and fears, To me the meanest flower that blows can give Thoughts that do often lie too deep for tears.
Can in a moment travel thither– And see the children sport upon the shore, And hear the mighty waters rolling evermore.
This and so much more,,
The fear of death, can be breath taking. The desire for immortality can be consuming. The truth of them is overwhelming.
I was a sickly child, consumed with sore throats and colds. I felt shame and sadness that my loving mom and dad had to protect me. I heard them collectively try to figure out how to pay there bills, knowing that my mother only had one dress to where to church, knowing my Dad had holes in his dress shoes, but paying my medical bill seemed more important.
I was diagnosed with romantic fever, its a disease that causes terrible horrifying dreams. Dreams that only a heart touched by pure love could be brave enough to live throw.
The vertigo the horror of my dreams would begin before i was asleep, they would begin as i closed my eyes, the horror was all encompassing. I can still feel my dad taking me into his arms, with my eyes wide open in my dream of horror, and saying Dougins when i count to three you will awake. It was the trust of pure love that woke me from my nightmare.
I was a frightened boy, but i was a boy touched by the beauty of pure love, offering the belief that i am perfect.
I was giving the strength not to fear anything. During this same time of my life, my fifth grade of school, Don Ledinbecker, threaten to beat me up daily, in my six grade he brought a knife to school and every recess he told me he was going to cut my ears off.
I my seventh grade i invited him to meet me , to settle his horrifying treathes
It seems i hit send before i was done.
I beat him unmercifully, i broke two bones in my own hand doing it, and i fought any on comers from that day that chose to make the mistake of making me or anyone i loved feel threatened.
I have arthritis in that hand now, i have a wisdom in my heart that Don dint have nor i. I HAVE A REASON TO LOVE DON.
Its the same reason, i was taken from the depth of a nightmare to the lap of love, the same reason i knew not to fear, BUT ONLY TO LOVE.
The broken hands of fear, are the fingers that touch us with love.
love always
You are incredible Uncle Doug and I love you with every that I have in me!
Happy Belated Birthday George.
Don’t you go getting old on me.
Just remember, Geo, your never too old to burn chicken on a grill!
Peace Bro
I have spent the last couple of days remodeling a a bathroom in the same big old house that my silly orange cat use to call his digg, his kingdom. Its the same house i was in on September 11, 2001. Today i looked out the same window i was repairing on that day, when all the radio stations announced that planes were flying into building , into the ground, that our country was under attack.
Our country is still healing from that day, we didn’t understand the reason for the attack, any more then, then i think we do now.
Our perception of those that would kill innocent children, woman, or men in such a cowardly way is that they must evil, deranged , insane, but the truth is they are men and woman with a dedication to God.
It would be so easy for me to hate them, but it would be so wrong.
As i starred out my window today, i ask myself are the ones that can do these things , evil, deranged, insane, are they any different then me or you?
I know you thinking with a resounding ” OH HELL YES THEY ARE”, but my answer came back, no there not.
As all mankind wades in the muck of Gods unconditional love, and his limitless Grace, each of can be drawn deeper into the swamp and quicksand of confusion, or we step above it to solid ground of truth.
You can sit on your arrogant throne, and believe you are better then the ones that flew into our buildings, but the truth is that they are simply dedicated to a God they believe makes them righteous in their action.
There is no doubt in my mind that i could find in this great country i live in, a church that hates black people (in the name of God), one that thinks gays are all going to hell (in the name of God), one that believes that those in favor of abortion choices are evil (in the name of God).
ya see to me its just a matter of degrees between those that hold a bible in one hand and a sword in the other, and those that hold the truth of Gods perfect love in there heart.
Step on your bible, walk on your swords out of the muck of confusion, to the shores of Gods true love ,to the solid ground of peace.
Love always
or too young
This will be my last thought tonight. I began this journey with two objective, to have fun, and to end it as i began without fear. I hope i have not bored you with my curious nature, or offended you with my confused opinions.
My journey has been so amazing so far. As i meander aimlessly to destinations unknown, i will pause to give thought. At each bend, turn, or fork in my path i find a log to sit on, a hickory post to lean on, a rock to wait on, as i ponder the muck of this life, as i witness the beauty of this earth(that god so loves), i journey on. I have gave pause to the words of Paul, and offered question to the canons of our beliefs, i have sored to the pantheism of God universe, and set silent in the frankincense of white smoke of wisdom offered by an angel.
I have ran the cornfield of my youth, and cried the dry tears of a old man. I have gained so much more from my journey then i ever expected, or felt i deserved. It was a brothers love that allowed me to feel more then i would have ever felt. Not his love for me, but his love….that challenged me to start my journey with a questioning mind.
I have not lost track of my responsibilities on my journey. I know i have angels in my circle with broken wings, baby girls that need answers from there daddy, questions that there daddy has left them the answers to, in the warmth of there heart.
If the path your traveling isn’t lined with jasmine and roses, look for a fork in the road and go another direction. Don’t dance on a bowl of tears.
love ya bgs
love always
MC, says.. Its better to hold your tail high against a strong wind, then to tuck it between your legs in fear.
dam cat
what dose he know?
love always
I hate that freakin cat, i mean come on , tail high in the wind, give me a break. Hes out for the night. He says i aint got chit.
echoing sunlight of morning tears
dragging shadows of lingering love
dancing on the dewdrops
moon dust of a universe laughing
tales of fear trailing
the song of a morning dove
a symphony of wisdom lost
cadence of confusion
within a rhythm of love
Love always
Bring it on bony legs!
Doug,
I love your comments about us being absolutley no better than the ones who flew the planes into the buildings on that dreadful day. I remember one day a few years ago when my mom was taking a class at the bible college on grace and the professor told her she was no better than Jeffrey Dalmer and it just floored her at first but then as she began to understand grace, she began to see what he meant. Its an awesome thing that grace and I am so very grateful for it.
I really am loving reading your words so very much. They bring me much comfort. This week end we will move mom from the rehab unit to the long term care unit at NHC. This has been such a difficult and painful process. Today was an awesome day though. Mom and I shared words, hugs and love. I treasure each day that she still knows I’m her daughter.
Keep those thoughts coming. You have no idea how much of a blessing you are to me. Luv ya cuz
Thank you Lisa,and so nice to hear from you. Our thoughts are with you and all of your family as you walk this sometimes lonely road of this chapter of your mothers life. Keep looking for those sweet moments of warm hugs, and loving words.
Love you too, cuz
GEO, HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY!! I AM SO SORRY I MISSED THAT. I LOVE YOU
My head low
Into the palm of my hand
It came again
Fear.
Spattered blood on
Cold white faces
Do we not all have the same questions?
Why then
Tumbling down
Pains of labor
Like pains of death.
Angie
Ang, MC, says, ” NOT TO SHABBY GIRL”!
love always
And wow how the head is laying low and laying in the palm of my hands today.
Love you Ang
I love you too!
For You-
Forever I fall
and they are scattered
across my back
down my legs
I will give one to you…
Thanks Ang
I went looking for the answers from someone I heard believes that life gets easier
And you learn how to breathe and you learn how to grieve your past
You study the masters and their books
Giving in to the barbs and hooks
Mc want to test his heart to his paw..
warning skies of shadowed clouds
darkened by the son
wading in the murk
baptised in confusion
buried in the azure
eyes cleared by truth
fearless hearts bleeding
soft belly of trust
waiting waiting
nurturing breasts of unreasoned
lost in shadowed clouds
warmed by the sun
dam cat
love always
I talk a lot about fear and love. Its because I know they are the two most powerful emotions of our lives. They are the ones that cradle all the rest. Whether it be sadness, anger, happiness, sexual desires, confidence, kindness, etc.. they all lay between our love and our fears.
Love will take you to the peaks of perfect peace, fear will drag you into a grave of being buried alive.
There is no worst life then one of fear. The trepidation, the anxiety is worse then death itself. So many live lives of fear. Unwilling to look into the eyes of there fear and move on to the beauty and peace they deserve. They are held back from the peace they deserve by the fears of the unknown, the pain of loss, there lonleyness, regret of there past.
I have felt fear in my life, that is why i can speak of it now, but i can tell you that tomorrow i could walk out of this house with just the clothes on my back, throw my billfold onto the foyer of my warm home, and survive without fear, and i would before the night ends, before i would live a life of fear.
If you dont like where you are, then you need to give up the part of you keeping you there. The fears of your life you own, they are in your control, only you can look them in the eye, only you can step above them and take the deep breath of peace you deserve.
“You gain strength, courage and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face…. You must do the thing you think you cannot do”.
Eleanor Roosevelt
Love my BGS
lOVE ALWAYS
tentacles of sadden eyes
softened by tears
moistened by sand
touched by the son lost
minds of the past
hardened by love
weaken by truth
warmed by the sun
the son
Sometimes you gotta take a little time, just a little time, to think things over, you better read between the lines, you might need it when your older.
Take a little time to look around you, you’ve got nowhere to hide, the mountain you must climb is like a world on your shoulders, but through the clouds you will see the light shine, and it will keep you warm as life grows colder.
DONT DANCE ON A BOWL OF TEARS WITH A SMILE
love u bg
My last thought tonight will be about the the one emotion that embraces love and conquers fear, it is courage….An emotion, a strength, a belief, a knowledge, a wisdom, a trust, that some of us were allowed to witness, other where raised with it for a lifetime, the rest will need to find it.
Its is worth the search…
Love always
MC SAYS: “THERE IS NO TOMORROW, JUST TODAY…”
dam cat
LOVE ALWAYS
Stupid cat, I know he is smoking mice tails or something. He has no vision of tomorrow.
Tomorrows can always be the end to yesterdays, and the beginning life.
love always
Thanks for the Birthday wishes everyone!
All I can say is that at 54 my dad was older than I am at 54! hahaha
Peace
Geo
Hey Happy Birthday, Geo!
Love from
Julia
MC is one smart cat
Stop it Julia, his head is already big enough! lol
ha ha lol
I like that – You must do the thing you think you can not do. I have said that in my dark times alot which pulls me back to the light. What a fight!
I love you all so much that my heart could just burst. I can’t imagine this journey without you.
Lisa, I think of you and your family often. I walked a path with my mother for four years that was so difficult and painful.
Doug, it was your brothers love that allowed me to feel more than I could have ever felt also.