William Blake (London, England, 11/28/1757-8/12/1827) is one of the strangest English language poet-artists I've ever come across.
I saw an exhibit of his picture-poems in Scotland, I've read the poetry, and am still a bit mystified. Another Sagittarian, what can I say?
Shortly before I made my break for freedom, my ex-wife began painting lines from William Blake on the walls of our bungalow. I didn't stay long enough to see her work completed.
I Heard an Angel
I heard an Angel singing
When the day was springing,
"Mercy, Pity, Peace
Is the world's release."
Thus he sung all day
Over the new mown hay,
Till the sun went down
And haycocks looked brown.
I heard a Devil curse
Over the heath and the furze,
"Mercy could be no more,
If there was nobody poor,
And pity no more could be,
If all were as happy as we."
At his curse the sun went down,
And the heavens gave a frown.
Down pour'd the heavy rain
Over the new reap'd grain ...
And Miseries' increase
Is Mercy, Pity, Peace.
Today's Rune: Harvest.
Bon Voyage!
5 comments:
An interesting poem, Erik! Almost Buddhist sounding, that both suffering and pleasure exist, so accept it all, as is?
Yesterday's post: Are You Experienced. Today's post: Songs of Innocence, Songs of Experiences. So Erik, that's what it's like to be truly free?
Nice poem. I think he's trying to express that bad exsists in the world so that good may come from it. Or something to that effect. Of course I could be way off base.
Thanks, y'all, for the comments. Robin and Laura, I like both angles very much. Jim, it's a give and a take. Truly free would require a larger sum in my bank account or a preference for the St. Francis life, but it's good to be alive, certainly. Not exactly "stone free to ride the breeze," but happy enough for now. Cheers, 'E
Interesting poem. I suck at writing poetry but I do like to read it. I remember reading some William Blake in my advanced english lit class when I was in 10th grade. Very cool.
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