Saturday, February 27, 2010

That was long ago.

Follow on the Track of Rabbit by Kostadin Hristov
Follow on the Track of Rabbit by Kostadin Hristov




Encounter
~ by Czeslaw Milosz

We were riding through frozen fields in a wagon at dawn.
A red wing rose in the darkness.
And suddenly a hare ran across the road.
One of us pointed to it with his hand.
That was long ago. Today neither of them is alive,
Not the hare, nor the man who made the gesture.
O my love, where are they, where are they going
The flash of a hand, streak of movement, rustle of pebbles.
I ask not out of sorrow, but in wonder.
Wilno, 1936 


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13 comments:

Batteson.Ind said...

this is such a poignant piece. photographic in it's capture of the moment.. beautifully sad...

nothingprofound said...

A wonderful poem! I love Milosz. I hadn't read poetry in many years and happened across his Collected Poems last winter. So many wonderful lines. Many of his later poems are quite joyful.

Darlene said...

The poem and photo go together so well. The snow scene looks bleak, but with the poem it emphasizes that all things end. The snow will melt and the rabbit will die, as will we.

At least, that's the way it feels to me.

Sage Ravenwood said...

Whenever I venture by this way, you always without fail, manage to ignite a flame of inspiration within me.

The beauty you see is eclipsed by the beholder. (Hugs)Indigo

Lydia said...

the watercats~ "photographic in its capture of the moment" is so true. It really didn't require me to find a photo to accompany it (but I love the photo too).

nothingprofound~ Well, I just came upon him online and as a result of your comments I have put his works on my Amazon wish list. I don't always buy from Amazon but I use it as my reminder list. Thank you!

Darlene~ Everything you said in commentary of the piece is true, so I wonder why the poem/photo collect us into thought. I think it's the human condition to ponder those things (and I love his "not out of sorrow, but in wonder".)

Indigo~ And whenever you are here and leave one of your characteristically deep and poetic comments my day seems better for it. hugs back

Unknown said...

And that says it all...

valerie walsh said...

i had this very thought today and then you are posting this in all it's beauty, thank you ;)

Phivos Nicolaides said...

Excellent text and photo!

Erin Davis said...

I was not familiar with this poem, and it stunned me and made me cry...

Lydia said...

Distracted~ I thought so too.

ValGalArt~ Isn't it nice when thoughts coincide...sometimes nice even when they collide?!

Phivos~ Well, you are a hero for saying that (and I know you know what I mean!).

Erin~ There are times when I envy your students. This is one of them. Your depth is a beautiful thing.

bookmanie said...

"Thank you my friend". Bookmanie

Nancy said...

Wow. I will ponder this for a while. "Not out of sorrow, but in wonder."

Lydia said...

bookmanie~ Happy to have a greeting from you. :)

Nancy~ We both did!

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