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Life on the Deckle Edge

Poetry Friday - To my Dear and Loving Husband by Anne Bradstreet

Depiction of Anne Bradstreet by Edmund H. Garrett (19th Century).

Greetings, Poetry Lovers!  As we lean towards celebrating LOVE for Valentine's Day next week, I thought we might hear some words from a few centuries ago in New England, long before the United States was a country.  This one's for you, Husband-of-Mine...

 

To My Dear and Loving Husband

by Anne Bradstreet (1612-72)

 

If ever two were one, then surely we.
If ever man were loved by wife, then thee;
If ever wife was happy in a man,
Compare with me ye women if you can.
I prize thy love more than whole mines of gold,
Or all the riches that the East doth hold.
My love is such that rivers cannot quench,
Nor ought but love from thee give recompense.
Thy love is such I can no way repay;
The heavens reward thee manifold, I pray.
Then while we live, in love let's so persever,
That when we live no more we may live ever.

 

You can learn more about Anne Bradstreet here.  She was the first poet to be published in colonial North America, an impressive accomplishment, especially for a woman in the 1600s!

 

Valentine's Day is not an easy day for many - extra love to those for whom it's difficult or bittersweet.

 

The amazing Carol, who LOVES words and images, not to mention her beautiful family - has our Roundup this week at Beyond Literacy Week

*Note* - Life here is still crazy with a multi-part move in progress; I'll be in and out of town the next two weekends, then back in Beaufort for a week or so, and then making the final move to catch up with the aforementioned husband over in the mountains in mid-March! I'll get back into the swing of weekly posting again as soon as possible. :0) 

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Poetry Friday - O my Luve...

 

Greetings, Poetry Lovers - Happy Valentine's Day! 

 

Let's have a wee bit of Rabbie Burns, shall we?

 

 

A Red, Red Rose


O my Luve is like a red, red rose
That's newly sprung in June;
O my Luve is like the melody
That's sweetly played in tune.

 

So fair art thou, my bonnie lass,
So deep in luve am I;
And I will luve thee still, my dear,
Till a' the seas gang dry.

 

Till a' the seas gang dry, my dear,
And the rocks melt wi' the sun;
I will love thee still, my dear,
While the sands o' life shall run.

 

And fare thee weel, my only luve!
And fare thee weel awhile!
And I will come again, my luve,
Though it were ten thousand mile.

 

 

Burns lived from 1759 to 1796, and many of works were written as songs, such as this oh-so-famous poem. (He wrote Auld Lang Syne, too.) Most of his writings were in Scots.  

 

According to Pauline Mackay on the BBC site, this poem is "one of the most famous love songs associated with Robert Burns, ... composed prior to 1794 when it appeared in a collection by an Edinburgh composer named Urbani."  She adds, "Part of the song's appeal is its use of powerful, natural imagery to convey a love that is ever-lasting and capable of surviving both distance and time."

One of these years, I'll have my act together and celebrate Burns Night on January 25 (his birthday) - but, with vegetarian haggis. ;0)  We had that several times on our trip year before last.  (Here's some more info about Robert Burns.)

 

If you are celebrating with your Luve today, enjoy and savor.  And if you know someone who is missing their Valentine, make their day by reaching out with a thoughtful wish - roses optional. 

 

Slàinte Mhath!

 

Continue to feel the love today over at Teacher Dance, where Linda always fills our hearts!

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