Welcome to Litsy!

Donald Hall, the former poet laureate of the United States, lost his wife of 22 years to leukemia. Also a poet, Jane Kenyon, almost avoided their marriage because she feared a long widowhood. But life took her at 47 and Donald Hall lived into his 90‘s. His sadness and devastation is evident in this book of poems. Yet, it also shows the immense love he had for her.

Weeds and Peonies

“Your peonies burst out, white as snow
squalls,
with red flecks at their shaggy centers
in your border of prodigies by the porch.
I carry one magnanimous blossom indoors
and float it in a glass bowl, as you used to do.”
#poemsbeforephones

Not a lot of time for @DeweysReadathon but did start the day with this book, and will continue reading throughout the day. Good luck to all!

Letter In Autumn

“ Looking south
from your stone, I gaze at the file
of eight enormous sugar maples
that rage and flare in dark noon,
the air grainy with mist
like the rain of Seattle‘s winter.
The trees go on burning
without ravage of loss or disorder.
I wish you were that birch
rising from the clump behind you,
and I the grey oak alongside.”

#poemsbeforephones

SONG FOR LUCY
By Donald Hall

She nursed so well, I loved
being sick. Freud said
A man thrives his whole life
if he received as a child
“his mother‘s entire devotion.”

#poemsbeforephones

Starting a new book of poetry by a former poet laureate of the United States. He wrote this book to and for his wife who died from leukemia. Moving, sad, yet a beautiful tribute to love. #closetoyou #anglophileapril

Poetry. #RIP #blameitonlitsy