Thursday, April 29, 2010

Poetry Month and Lilacs



 April is Poetry Month.

Ethel Romig Fuller was Oregon Poet Laureate from 1957-1965.
Not long ago I found a copy of her book, Kitchen Sonnets.
As part of celebrating Poetry Month I wanted to share one of her poems.

No April Words

There are no words for saying
How wistful is the push
Of April through the budding
Of a lilac bush.

There are no notes for making
A little elfin air
Of new leaves on a willow;
No phrases to compare

With tapering blue hyacinths;
The first white butterfly;
Of plum trees misted sudden
Silver on the sky.....

One may only listen-
Hand at throat-to rapture
More lyrically lovely
Than any song may capture.

16 comments:

Annie Jeffries said...

The thing that strikes me most strongly about this poem is the coolness of the colors used. They are so reflective of April. It's not cold anymore but neither is it hot. April is cool as are blues, lilacs, whites, plums, and silvers.

Jeanne said...

Beautiful
Our lilacs are blooming too
It seems early to me this year
Love you
Love all you share
Jeanne

Anonymous said...

My lilac bush that Lee put out for me is blooming for the first time this year. I'm loving it! Yours are gorgeous.

parTea lady said...

The lilacs are beautiful and I liked the poem too.

Steph said...

Oh, that is a wonderful poem and great images!

Marion Williams-Bennett said...

I am so grateful for your poem and your lilacs I am offering up a poem in praise!


Thou art not lovelier than lilacs,—no, Nor honeysuckle; thou art not more fair
Than small white single poppies,—I can bear
Thy beauty; though I bend before thee, though
From left to right, not knowing where to go,
I turn my troubled eyes, nor here nor there
Find any refuge from thee, yet I swear
So has it been with mist,—with moonlight so.

Edna St. Vincent Millay
Sonnet I from Renascence and Other Poems, 1917

Marilyn Miller said...

Thanks, Marion!

The poem is perfect.
I love the last line with mist,-with moonnlight so. Such lovely images.

SE'LAH... said...

Great poem. The lilacs are just beginning to bud here.
Their scent will soon fill the air.

Hope you are having a great day. one love.

magnoliasntea said...

Oh my goodness! That's the most beautiful lilac I've seen this year!

Tracy said...

Sooo LOVELY...the poem and the lilacs! *swoon*... Happy Weekend, Marilyn! ((HUGS))

Mary Jane said...

The scent of the lilacs in my garden greet me each day. They are blooming early this year.

Your photos are lovely, Marilyn, and the imagery of the poem is beautiful

Mary said...

I miss the perfume of lilacs, they just don't thrive in our hot and humid climate. InEngland they were beautiful, in New England glorious....and of course on Mackinac Island, perfection!

Yours are such an amazing purple - love them.

Angela McRae said...

I think this was a scratch-n-sniff post today! Lovely!

"Create Beauty" said...

That is so beautiful! My lilac bush is rather small yet. Mmmmm, the scent is divine!

~ Violet

Relyn Lawson said...

There is nothing in the world like lilacs.

Greatma said...

I love lilacs and love this poem. could you possibly print more of the kitchen sonnets??? i have looked for this book, but of course it is out of print. Antique Rose