Poetry with The Red Rose: Neruda's Sonnet XVII

Salt Rose

Sonnet XVII

I do not love you as if you were salt-rose, or topaz,

or the arrow of carnations the fire shoots off.

I love you as certain dark things are to be loved,

in secret, between the shadow and the soul.

I love you as the plant that never blooms

but carries in itself the light of hidden flowers;

thanks to your love a certain solid fragrance,

risen from the earth, lives darkly in my body.

I love you without knowing how, or when, or from where.

I love you straightforwardly, without complexities or pride;

so I love you because I know no other way than this:

where I does not exist, nor you,

so close that your hand on my chest is my hand,

so close that your eyes close as I fall asleep.

— Pablo Neruda

postscript:  I find that I have shared this poem once before. Clearly it speaks to me.  I hope it does to some of you as well.

Wind-Hewn Wildness - Dark and Brightness

Seelie?  or Unseelie?

Mist-clad in the light of the moon

Starspun seekers - I search for thee!

Faery light - I ask thy boon

Of branch and thorn and Elder tree!

Wood woven creatures, shadow weavers

River keepers - come to me!

Just beyond reaching

Never in keeping

Spirits of Faery - I call unto thee!

Wind-hewn wildness

Dark and brightness

Spiral enchantments - born of the sky!

Cradle me with elven hands,

Abide with me, thy human child!

-W.B Yeats 

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Regarding Civilised Rail Travel in the Americas

Response to this letter from the Vicereine, Kamilah Hauptmann.

My Dearest Kamilah,

You do me great honor by your invitation to spend time with you in New York City. I confess that I have been hoping for such time together since we last met nearly two years ago in the wilds of suburban Canada. I was surprised that my weaponry were not required for defense against moose or the odd trapper or logger wandering into town. However, as I recall the two of us should have used the heavy gold coins in our evening bags to delicately bludgeon several of the patrons in the dining room upon our grand arrival for cocktails. One would have thought that they had never seen a regal Lioness nor a corseted Duchess in their lives. *sigh*

Lionsgate and Loch Avie

To our travel details:

I shall also be traveling by rail into New York City - perhaps we will challenge the answer to "If two trains are traveling to NYC at the same time - one going south, one going north......". I do not see the specific days that you have in mind for this travel, however, I will check with my secretary and determine which days are ideal for travel and which days are possible with complex appointment manipulation.

We should indeed arrive at the same terminal, therefore, depending on our travel schedules, we may be able to walk and talk on our way to luncheon. The subway, while it is not as filled with the hoodlums and trouble-makers you about which you may have heard tales, is still not my favorite mode of transportation in the city. You will, however, adore the "T" (subway) while you are in the fair city of Boston. It is generally quite civilised unless you happen to be traveling through Kenmore Square on baseball game day.

I have a number of thoughts on luncheon possibilities, but now understanding your desire to see our lovely Lady Liberty, I shall have another check on this and will make appropriate plans. I will tell you that the Museum of Modern Art is quite wonderful & with excellent lunch possibilities as well. We shall carefully consider and plan.

As to whether I will be "packing heat", I simply ask when you have ever known me to be unprepared for any occasion.

So do leave your hockey stick at home; however, with just the right skirt and blouse those logger boots might be quite urban chic.

Let us keep in close touch as we make our plans. You may feel free to use my wireless device for contact along with aetheric mail and such.

Yours &c,
Eva

p.s. No coffee, just lots of laughter in a, thankfully, empty office suite. Do feel free to blog this - as you most certainly know I will. *muah dahlink*

Mystical and Sacred Music Listening: Relay for Life Event

St. Cecilia by John William Waterhouse

As part of my own personal giving to Relay for Life this year, I have decided to join Radio Riel's "Riel Day for Life" on July 11th. I have donated money to sponsor two hours of music - music of my choosing.

From 6:00am - 8:00am SLT on July 11th, I invite you to listen to sacred and mystical music with me. I specifically chose the music for these time slots as they are just the beginning of a new day for me. I like the thought of easing into the day and allowing the music to set a loving and grounded tone. The first hour will be Celtic and pagan mystical music.

During the second hour we will hear sacred choral pieces of the major religions.

I will have my land in Winterfell Anodyne: Isle of Skye (http://slurl.com/secondlife/Winterfell%20Anodyne/211/159/35) open for dancing round the fire and stone circle, as well as quiet places to sit and listen - perhaps to meditate, perhaps to talk softly with friends. You are all invited to join me. Hope to see you there.