February 03, 2003

I THINK CONTINUALLY OF THOSE WHO WERE TRULY GREAT

There are moments in the lives of people when ordinary communication fails, when mere words fall flat, and at these moments we need to hear the voice of a poet to say those things that are in us but ineffable.

I THINK CONTINUALLY OF THOSE

I think continually of those who were truly great.
Who, from the womb, remembered the soul’s history
Through corridors of light where the hours are suns,
Endless and singing. Whose lovely ambition
Was that their lips, still touched with fire,
Should tell of the spirit clothed from head to foot in song.

……………………………………………………………….

Near the snow, near the sun, in the highest fields
See how these names are feted by the waving grass,
And by the streamers of white cloud,
And whispers of wind in the listening sky;
The names of those who in their lives fought for life,
Who wore at their hearts the fire’s center.
Born of the sun they traveled a short while towards the sun,
And left the vivid air signed with their honor.

Excerpts from I Think Continually of Those Who Were Truly Great By Stephen Spender