Lightly Child, Lightly

~ Live & Learn

Like a bird with a broken wing
that has traveled through wind for years.
like a bird unable to endure
tempest and wind
the evening falls…
Now I long for a little quiet
all I want is a hunt on a hill
or near a seashore
all I want in front of my window…

The evening would fall
the flocks would echo descending to their fold
like some quiet simple happy thought
and I would lie down to sleep
because I wouldn’t have
even a candle to light,
light,
to read.

— George Seferis, from “Five Poems by Mr. S. Thalassinos” from “Hampstead” in George Seferis: Collected Poems, 1924-1955

Notes:

  • Poem: Thank you Make Believe Boutique
  • Photo: Lesley Mattuchio with Black Skimmer. “This is the Skimmer’s version of the “broken wing” act to draw you away from their young.”
  • 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.”

21 thoughts on “Lightly Child, Lightly”

      1. Monday was “remembering a time we had unrealized possibilities.”
        Tuesday was “Smelling tje bless of summer as a child again.”
        Handsome Caleb broke the chain yesterday.
        And now broken wing.

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  6. touching but so beautiful dear David, in all these days we feel like a bird with broken wing… Yorgo G. Seferis, he was great poet, I love his poetry. Thank you, Love, nia

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