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Black Elk

A Poem for the Spring

March 25th, 2009

The same stream of life that runs through the world
runs through my veins night and day in rhythmic measure.
It is the same life that shoots in joy through the dust
of the earth into numberless waves of flowers.

Rabindranath Tagore

7 Responses to “A Poem for the Spring”

  3. That is one of my very favorites, and has been since I was first introduced to it in a college course back in the 1980s (“Gandhi and Tagore,” by the same professor as taught “Mysticism: East and West”). It continues,

    “It is the same life that is rocked in the ocean-cradle of birth and death, in ebb and flow.

    I feel my limbs are made glorious by the touch of this world of life. And my pride is from the life-throb of the ages dancing in my blood this moment.”

    The spirituality and worldview expressed in this poem, along with Robin Williamson’s lyrical evocation of the ancients who “worshipped across the world the music that nests in birdsong, insinuates in river-babble, sings in the soft south wind, and burns in the burning flame” (“Five Denials on Merlin’s Grave”) have a lot to do with why I am walking a Druidic path (OBOD, Bardic Grade, and others).

    Very pleased to find this blog, Philip! I have enjoyed your writings for years, although I’ve only been a member of OBOD for a little more than one. Wishing you many blessings, from the heart of the Greenwood…

  4. Thank you Philip for these magical lines from Tagore! They are so inspiring – revelling with joy, promise and the grateful renewal Springtide brings.

    Alice and Maria I share your sentiments completely!

    Here is yet another to add to our seasonal musings – celebrating the Divine Wisdom of Youth in each of us and the God/Green Man in his boy aspect – which personally speaking is very dear to my heart, since I am sister to 8 brothers!

    It is a song I never tire of singing and from its innumerable recordings,
    has inspired over half a decade of musicians. One of the earliest and most beloved is the rendition by Nat King Cole. This was the song that launched his career, and with it, in 1948, he became instantly famous!
    You can listen to Nat singing it here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yRcn2YXaHoo
    and follow with the text which I have added below.

    Continuing in step with the season, this piece was also the theme song of an old film called “The Boy with the Green Hair”!

    So without further ado –
    Here’s wishing you all a glorious Spring
    with many Green Haired “Nature Boy” Blessings,

    Gabriella

    Nature Boy (1947)

    Words and Music by Eden Ahbez
    There was a boy…
    A very strange enchanted boy
    They say he wandered very far, very far
    Over land and sea,
    A little shy and sad of eye
    But very wise was he.

    And then one day,
    One magic day, he passed my way.
    And while we spoke of many things,
    Fools and kings,
    This he said to me,

    “The greatest thing you’ll ever learn
    Is just to love and be loved in return.”

  5. Gabriella,
    Thank you so much for your input of Nature Boy. I loved watching and listening to the YouTube link you put up. Blessings, Alice

  6. The poem reminds me of Loren Eiseley’s book “The Immense Journey” (1957) where he uses the metaphor of the systole of the heart to speak of the eternal pulse that lifts Himalayas and carries them away.

    Glenys

  7. Thank you Alice – I’m so happy you loved/love “Nature Boy”.

    Thank you Glenys – That is an insightful and beautiful connection and observation.

    Best & Bless,

    Gabriella

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