Though our worries do not seem to be over, I had quite a wonderful LAST Saturday, did you?
A new "old" book was donated to the used bookstore where I volunteer. It is FILLED to the brim with poems, essays, long passages from plays, speeches, aphorisms. Aptly named, this Treasury of the Familiar, 1942 has reminded me of poems I remember reading years ago or poems read to me as a child. I searched for something apt for today's chaos but chose instead a moon poem I didn't remember at all by Walter de la Mare titled "Silver". It was a wonderful sight to see that blue moon last month and now this morning, a "silver" sliver of it has returned. Dependable moon, how I love you!
The book's owner trimmed these and tucked them inside the pages of the book.
Here is the full page with the poem, and a taste of other things, too! Enjoy!
Such lovely poetry, Linda. It gently lulls you through the many beautiful images. What a delight.
ReplyDeleteI love the imagery of this poem, and yes, last Saturday was the happiest day I've had in quite a while :)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Kat & Kimberly! I never tire of finding another poem about the moon!
ReplyDeleteWhat an amazing poem and what a treasure you found at your bookstore. I love the way the moon turns the world silver and the lovely rhyme.
ReplyDeletelinda, your book find is wonderful and the poem is full of silver-lined joyful images: "silver-feathered sleep (what a glorious thought!) Saturday brought a new sense of hope, Linda. I was doing an errand when a group of people started shouting with joy. It was such a great feeling that people could shout out with delight.
ReplyDeleteI like how often you find these wonderful gems at the bookstore. Thanks for sharing this moon poem -- beautiful images!
ReplyDeleteYour affinity for the moon shines through your poetry selections and your poems, Linda! Looking into the night sky and knowing we are all seeing the same thing is comforting to me even if I am halfway around the world. And thanks for always sharing your bookstore finds with us. Again, almost like being there. :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a treasure these old books are, Linda. Thanks for sharing them with us. The Walter de la Mare poem reminded me of the fairy tale, the Seven Dancing Princesses. Remember the part of the story when they walk into a wood of silver trees?
ReplyDeleteThanks everyone. I've been busy with more bookstore tasks, a "payment" for finding so many great books? Yes, I love the moon, have done "moon-journaling" with students numerous times through my teaching years. Weaving sketching observations, science & poetry into schoolwork is the best thing ever. Yes, I do remember the Seven Dancing Princesses, Laura, but had forgotten that image. I guess there is more than one "silver" connection to the moon!
ReplyDeleteThis is such a lovely, gentle poem...so lyrically beautiful. I love your bookstore finds, and I'm so glad you chose to share this poem today.
ReplyDeleteThe repetition of silver throughout is effective.
ReplyDeleteHow beautiful...this poem feels like a silver necklace....slippery and full of "s" sounds.
ReplyDeleteI was in my library today and it was wonderful. The oldest book I found while weeding was from 1970. I know--but that was 50 years ago! It's fun to look at the way books were designed over time. At one point, just the words themselves were the stars of the show.
Amazing, the treasures that you find! I am so grateful for your sharing of them. Today it is "peaces" of silver - so lovely.
ReplyDeleteThis poem pairs nicely with Little Willow's offering! I also love knowing that someone across the country was thinking almost exactly the same thoughts as me: "and now this morning, a "silver" sliver of it has returned. Dependable moon, how I love you!"
ReplyDeleteWell Kimberly said it already, but I’ll agree and repeat, what gorgeous images the moon offers us in this poem— it’s a cornucopia of wonder to get lost in, thanks Linda!
ReplyDeleteThanks all, I have spent a lot more time at the store today & yesterday, happy to train a new volunteer & greeting lots of customers! It's a place I wish you all could visit! I'm glad to watch the moon with you no matter where we are!
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful looking book, and the poem is lovely! Shoon! How great is that?
ReplyDeleteIt's filled with so many pieces of writing, Ruth, including poems! Yes, love when a word, at least new to me, is used. "Shoon" - what the moon does, right? Who knew? Thanks!
DeleteWhat a wonderful find--and a wonderful title, too: Treasury of the Familiar. I hadn't heard that poem about the moon before. It's so lovely and fun. But I thought shoon meant her shoes. Anyhow, I love how even the dogs paws are silver. It really evokes that feeling of the moon shining and bathing everything in her light.
ReplyDeleteSo many have not seen this poem, so now I wonder if it was one of those not included in other anthologies by him. After your query, I looked up "shoon" & you are right, Susan, it means "shoes". Thanks for telling me!
DeleteWhat fun to find actual, labelled Treasures in your daily work! I see why you have stuck with it through thick and thin. Good old bookshops, good old moon, good old Linda!
ReplyDeleteIt is lots of fun to see what comes in, Heidi, like this one! Thanks!
DeleteOh, how I pine for a "silver-feathered sleep"! I can't remember the last time I had one of those. Though last Saturday most definitely did help!
ReplyDeleteYes, I guess many of us understand that need, Michelle. Hoping for better soon! Thanks!
DeleteOh, Linda, you KNOW this post is up my alley on a million shimmery levels - thanks for such a treat this week! I don't know how I've lived more than a silver anniversary of years without this poem. :0)
ReplyDeleteAs I wrote earlier, this must be a poem by de la Mare hiding out from us, Robyn. I'm happy you loved it and the book! Thanks for hosting this week!
Delete