Sometimes I get out my book of Good Poems selected by Garrison Keillor. I think I know this book inside and out, yet I always find something new.
Today’s post is for those who suffer an anguished present in the Time of Corona.
Directions
Joseph Stroud
How weary, stale, flat, and unprofitable
Seem to me all the uses of this world
Take a plane to London.
From King’s Cross take the direct train to York.
Rent a car and drive across the vale to Ripon,
then into the dales toward the valley of the Nidd,
a narrow road with high stone walls on each side,
and soon you’ll be on the moors. There’s a pub,
The Drovers, where it’s warm inside, a tiny room,
you can stand at the counter and drink a pint of Old Peculiar.
For a moment everything will be all right. You’re back
at a beginning. Soon you’ll walk into Yorkshire country,
into dells, farms, into blackberry and cloud country.
You’ll walk for hours. You’ll walk the freshness
back into your life. This is true. You can do this.
Even now, sitting at your desk, worrying, troubled,
you can gaze across Middlesmoor to Ramsgill,
the copses, the abbeys of slanting light, the fells,
you can look down on that figure walking toward Scar House,
cheeks flushed, curlews rising in front of him, walking,
making his way, working his life, step by step, into grace.
* * *
Looking back can sometimes help you look forward?
* * *
* * *
Quite possibly the most beautiful expression of anguish in 20th century art…
April 5, 2020 at 7:32 am
You give us just what we need each morning. Thank you, Jennifer. Much love.
April 6, 2020 at 12:25 pm
Much love to you as well, dear Mary. Xoxo
April 5, 2020 at 8:07 am
Great heavens! Riveting, way beyond poignant. What a piece of work, this.
April 6, 2020 at 12:25 pm
It makes me so happy to hear from you at Bacon, John!! Xoxo
April 5, 2020 at 9:02 am
how is that something so heartbreaking can be so beautiful?
April 6, 2020 at 12:24 pm
#art. Love you Mary Jo. Xoxo
April 5, 2020 at 9:43 am
Beautiful.
April 5, 2020 at 9:44 am
What a wonderful reminder: you can walk the freshness back into your life.
April 6, 2020 at 12:24 pm
#truth – xoxo
April 5, 2020 at 12:34 pm
I have always liked your posts but especially enjoying them during this time. Thank you for feeding our minds and souls.
April 6, 2020 at 12:22 pm
Dear Shannon ~ I hate to sound so cliche, but truly it means so much to me to hear from you and know that these posts matter right now. Thank you. Xoxo