The Beach & A Poet

     As the face of evil shows itself in faraway Mumbai, I am grateful to be living in a much safer country. You see, there are times when my dormant adventurous side tries to rise up, discontent with a life defined by routine. But it is far, far better to be "bored and alive," than living on the edge, exposed to danger and distress.

     Not that my life is boring, even with its very rigid, box-like schedule. There's simply so much to do!

     And then there are the weekends. Oh, how I live for the weekends! I am an introvert by nature, and I look forward to the precious few "me" hours, where I can read a book or practice some musical pieces. 

     This three-day weekend is more special than usual. We will be spending it by the sea shore in Batangas! I will have to bring my work along as it is "Quarterly Test Making Time" once again, and there's some M.A. homework that needs to be done, but I shall do all of these things surrounded by the soothing sound of waves breaking on the shore. Aaaaa... I can smell the tangy sea breeze already...

     But before I bid farewell to the Internet, let me share my newest literary discovery: CHRISTINA ROSSETTI (1830-1894). (For a bio, go to this page)

      For me, she is the female counterpart of Gerard Manley Hopkins. Actually, I think I much prefer Christina, if only because her poetry pierces a deeper part of me, owing to our common gender. She understood all too well the pains and longings of a woman's heart, and I shall forever respect her for having the strength to reject a lover when she discovered that his faith was not compatible with hers. She was human and could not help loving the man, but she never forgot to whom she owed her first love.

     Her Monna Innominata is unforgettable. No. 6 was the subject of a previous blog post, and below is No. 12:

If there be any one can take my place

And make you happy whom I grieve to grieve,

Think not that I can grudge it, but believe

I do commend you to that nobler grace,

That readier wit than mine, that sweeter face;

Yea, since your riches make me rich, conceive

I too am crowned, while bridal crowns I weave,

And thread the bridal dance with jocund pace.

For if I did not love you, it might be

That I should grudge you some one dear delight;

But since the heart is yours that was mine own,

Your pleasure is my pleasure, right my right,

Your honorable freedom makes me free,

And you companioned I am not alone.

 

Here is "At Last:"

 

Many have sung of love a root of bane:

While to my mind a root of balm it is,

For love at length breeds love, sufficient bliss

For life and death and rising up again.

Surely when light of Heaven makes all things plain,

Love will grow plain with all its mysteries;

Nor shall we need to fetch from over seas

Wisdom or wealth or pleasure safe from pain.

Love in our borders, love within our heart,

Love all in all, we then shall bide at rest,

Ended for ever life's unending quest,

Ended for ever effort, change and fear:

Love all in all; -- no more that better part

Purchased, but at the cost of all things here.

 

And this is an excerpt from one of her longer poems:

 

...Perhaps some saints in glory guess the truth,

Perhaps some angels read it as they move,

And cry to one another full of ruth,

"Her heart is breaking for a little love."

Tho' other things have birth,

And leap and sing for mirth,

When springtime wakes and clothes and feeds the earth.

Yet saith a saint: "Take patience for thy scathe;"

Yet saith an angel: "Wait, for thou shalt prove

True best is last, true life is born of death,

O thou, heart-broken for a little love.

Then love shall fill thy girth,

And love shall make fat thy dearth,

When new spring builds new heaven and clean

new earth."

 

*sniff* Beautiful!!!!

Have a safe three-day weekend, everyone! :)