Sometimes, when a bird cries out,
Or the wind sweeps through a tree,
Or a dog howls in a far off farm,
I hold still and listen a long time.
My soul turns and goes back to the place
Where, a thousand forgotten years ago,
The bird and the blowing wind
Were like me, and were my brothers.
My soul turns into a tree,
And an animal, and a cloud bank.
Then changed and odd it comes home
And asks me questions. How should I reply?
~ Herman Hesse, “Sometimes” (translated by Robert Bly)
Notes:
- Poem: Schonwieder. Photo:Laura Makabresku with Birds (via Hidden Sanctuary)
- Prior “Lightly child, lightly” Posts? Connect here.
- Post Title & Inspiration: Aldous Huxley: “It’s dark because you are trying too hard. Lightly child, lightly. Learn to do everything lightly. Yes, feel lightly even though you’re feeling deeply. Just lightly let things happen and lightly cope with them.”
Love. It feels that way when you hear a loon’s cry on a still northern lake…
with silence and gratitude.
Mostly I just want to strangle the little yapper across the street.
LAUGHING!
so beautiful, I love Hermann Hesse… Thank you, Love, nia
Me too Nia.
Love this! 🙂
with silence
Just posted a Hermann Hesse poem on my Tumblr blog today, I really like this one too. He was such an excellent writer! 🙂
Yes. And timeless too.