Congratulations, Candace! Thank you for sharing that beautiful poem and painting. I remember seeing it many years ago at the Art Institute in Chicago. Do you know the novel by the same name by Willa Cather? If not, I hope you'll check it out. The title was inspired by the painting, which appeared on the original cover.
Joan, thank you so much for your comment, and for recommending Willa Cather's novel -- I hadn't come across that book of hers before, but would love to read it soon. As I just wrote to Joy in her comment above, I am loving all these additional layers to the song of the lark. So many different ways to be inspired by one beautiful bird, and in so many different creative mediums as well -- thank you! 🤍
She is one of my lifelong favorites. I think I started reading her work in college, like all the other former English majors... I have all or nearly all of her books in paperback but I am gradually replacing them with vintage hardcover editions.
Thanks for the introduction to the poem and the painting. I will read it again, and look at the painting whilst listening to "The Lark Ascending," by Ralph Vaughan Williams:
Joy, I love that you just gave us even more beautiful layers to enjoy with the song of the lark -- and I loved reading that Williams was also inspired by a poem when he composed that piece. These lines are especially lovely:
Magnificent! Thank you for this poem by David Whyte and my favorite painting, The Song of the Lark. I found that somewhere ... in a magazine(?) ... decades ago and put it in my scrapbook. As the scrapbook grew and became many, I carefully moved the print to the end to mark the end of my life with the Song of the Lark in my heart. You've opened up a new dimension for that painting with the addition of the poem. So beautiful, Candace. I'm so glad I subscribed to Dandelion Seeds.
Thank you so much for your wonderful comment, Sue -- how lovely to hear that "The Song of the Lark" is your favorite painting, and I'm so glad you enjoyed reading David's poem about it. As I just wrote to Joy and Joan in their comments above, I've loved seeing all of these different layers of meaning around the lark unfold for everyone 🤍
From Robert Browning (which I memorized as a kid):
A Song From Pippa Passes
The year’s at the spring
And day’s at the morn;
Morning’s at seven;
The hillside’s dew-pearled;
The lark’s on the wing;
The snail’s on the thorn:
God’s in His heaven—
All’s right with the world!
And from Henry Thoreau on the song of the wood thrush:
Whenever a man hears it he is young, and Nature is in her spring; wherever he hears it, it is a new world and a free country, and the gates of Heaven are not shut against him.
Congratulations, Candace! Thank you for sharing that beautiful poem and painting. I remember seeing it many years ago at the Art Institute in Chicago. Do you know the novel by the same name by Willa Cather? If not, I hope you'll check it out. The title was inspired by the painting, which appeared on the original cover.
Joan, thank you so much for your comment, and for recommending Willa Cather's novel -- I hadn't come across that book of hers before, but would love to read it soon. As I just wrote to Joy in her comment above, I am loving all these additional layers to the song of the lark. So many different ways to be inspired by one beautiful bird, and in so many different creative mediums as well -- thank you! 🤍
She is one of my lifelong favorites. I think I started reading her work in college, like all the other former English majors... I have all or nearly all of her books in paperback but I am gradually replacing them with vintage hardcover editions.
What a generous post and poem to start the day. Your art is truly lovely also
Thank you so much for your kind words, Heather -- I'm so glad you enjoyed the post! 🤍
Absolutely beautiful poem, you tie everything together in such a harmonious, graceful and joyful way.
Thank you so much, my friend 🤍 I'm so glad you loved the poem, too. Miss you always!
Thanks for the introduction to the poem and the painting. I will read it again, and look at the painting whilst listening to "The Lark Ascending," by Ralph Vaughan Williams:
https://youtu.be/-mHgucSz1hs
Joy, I love that you just gave us even more beautiful layers to enjoy with the song of the lark -- and I loved reading that Williams was also inspired by a poem when he composed that piece. These lines are especially lovely:
"For singing till his heaven fills,
'Tis love of earth that he instils,
And ever winging up and up,
Our valley is his golden cup
And he the wine which overflows
to lift us with him as he goes."
Thank you! 🤍
You are so welcome. Thank you for giving us the chance to be inspired.
that painting brings back memories just cant quite recall except that woman in it always reminded of someone i once knew decades ago eery wonderful
Thank you, Appleton!
Magnificent! Thank you for this poem by David Whyte and my favorite painting, The Song of the Lark. I found that somewhere ... in a magazine(?) ... decades ago and put it in my scrapbook. As the scrapbook grew and became many, I carefully moved the print to the end to mark the end of my life with the Song of the Lark in my heart. You've opened up a new dimension for that painting with the addition of the poem. So beautiful, Candace. I'm so glad I subscribed to Dandelion Seeds.
Thank you so much for your wonderful comment, Sue -- how lovely to hear that "The Song of the Lark" is your favorite painting, and I'm so glad you enjoyed reading David's poem about it. As I just wrote to Joy and Joan in their comments above, I've loved seeing all of these different layers of meaning around the lark unfold for everyone 🤍
Thank you, Candace!
You're very welcome!
I always look forward to your newsletter. The little bits of art are lovely and comforting. <3
Thank you so much for your kind words, Jen -- I'm so glad to hear you're enjoying Dandelion Seeds! 🤍
So pretty, little bird!
Thank you, Meredith! 😊
More beautiful bird song references:
From Robert Browning (which I memorized as a kid):
A Song From Pippa Passes
The year’s at the spring
And day’s at the morn;
Morning’s at seven;
The hillside’s dew-pearled;
The lark’s on the wing;
The snail’s on the thorn:
God’s in His heaven—
All’s right with the world!
And from Henry Thoreau on the song of the wood thrush:
Whenever a man hears it he is young, and Nature is in her spring; wherever he hears it, it is a new world and a free country, and the gates of Heaven are not shut against him.
Thank you for your beautiful work and generous spirit.
Happy anniversary