Now and again it is cleansing for a writer to reckon frankly with his or her craft. A few lines from Edna St. Vincent Millay (1939) will serve my purpose well:
Song II
For you there is no song,
Only the shaking of the voice that meant to sing,
The sound of the strong voice breaking.
Strange in my hand appears the pen,
And yours broken.
There are ink and tears on the page.
Only the tears have spoken.
Happy New Year, good friends!
*Travelers in desert lands have found it helpful to keep a small pebble on the tongue. It eases the dryness of the mouth and permits the traveler to fasten upon the destination ahead.
One of my favorite poets and a brilliant woman – thanks for the reminder. Y’all have a great new year – God bless.
Barbara
Hi, Barbara! Yes, depth of passion often wanders helplessly in search of words not available to us here. But that passion never tires of the search. That’s where ‘between the lines’ comes to the rescue. The reader, too, senses some depth beyond the words. Let the New Year – with our help and Heaven’s mercy – secure peace for us all!
Your writing brings back many memories of our time in Botswana. Thanks so much. Have a great New Year and keep writing.
Dumelang, Linda and Jay! Such a pleasure thinking of your discerning eye moving along the lines posted in this blog – yes, with understanding, but also, occasionally, forgiveness! Let the brilliant Kansas firmament smile on you this New Year!
Love your broad reach. Thanks.
Hi to Linda and Jay! Good people they are. Much joy in the New Year.
Edgar Stoesz