Jonquils by Georgia O'Keefe
Spring is having a hard time making its way into my neighborhood -- but a few warm days are predicted and I'm looking for jonquils everywhere I go!
When spring truly arrives here, I'll share with you the lyrics of a little spring song I wrote years ago and which a friend recently brought to mind and heart...
Until then, you'll have to be satisfied with the work of another priest, Antonio Vivaldi's Le Quattro Stagioni: Concerto No. 1 in E major, Op. 8 -- or, as most of us know it, "Spring, from The Four Seasons." Check the top of the side bar and click on the arrow for some sounds of spring.
And here's the poetry on which this piece is based. Listen and read and see if you can imagine the musical picture Vivaldi was painting for us...
Allegro
Springtime is upon us.
The birds celebrate her return with festive song,
and murmuring streams are softly caressed by the breezes.
Thunderstorms, those heralds of Spring, roar,
casting their dark mantle over heaven,
Then they die away to silence,
and the birds take up their charming songs once more.
Largo
On the flower-strewn meadow,
with leafy branches rustling overhead,
the goat-herd sleeps, his faithful dog beside him.
Allegro
Led by the festive sound of rustic bagpipes,
nymphs and shepherds lightly dance
beneath the brilliant canopy of spring.
I too would like to thank you for all the information in your blog about the Pope's visit. I did not watch the media on purpose because I wanted to get the try picture of the visit which is what you provided. I found the link's to his speeches wonderful and I passed on most of his speeches to several friends and family members so that they could have access to them too. I did this without being asked and was not sure how they would be received- maybe as more "junk" mail- but I received many thank you responses.
ReplyDeleteI am glad that I saw the CNN clip on the abuse victims. It made me look at things differently somewhat. I am deciding whether to read Don't Call Me a Victim- I am afraid that it might open wounds that have bandages on them and I am afraid it might rip them off and start the pain and bleeding again.
Has anyone read it? What are your thoughts?
Teacher
Thanks for the Vivaldi, one of my favorites. Not too many daffodils on the north shore yet. I see some in my yard just about to blossom. This weekend with the mild temperatures forced the forsythia to pop. It's beautiful! Ah!the high pollen count is upon us.
ReplyDeleteAnne
PS...I responded to your post over at Catholic Sensibility. Thoughts on that?
ReplyDeleteAnne
Anne: Thanks for what you added to the thread over at Todd's place. I agree 100% with what you wrote. The problem is that when a priest tries to do the right thing here, it's often reported in the parish as, "Fr. Smith refused to give me Communion just because I was a little late for Mass..." !
ReplyDelete