Sunday, February 13, 2011

Trees And Vanished Love: Three Poems

I recently came across a lovely poem by Sheila Wingfield (1906-1992), whose poetry I had not encountered previously.  The poem brought to mind two other poems that go together well with it.  (I have previously posted those two poems, but I think it is worthwhile to see all of the poems together.)  The theme is Vanished Love -- although, having said that, I notice that I am violating one of my cardinal rules:  "Do not attempt to paraphrase or summarize a poem."  In any event, here are the poems.

                       Winter

The tree still bends over the lake,
And I try to recall our love,
Our love which had a thousand leaves.

Sheila Wingfield, Collected Poems: 1938-1983 (Enitharmon Press 1983).

                    John Brett, "February in the Isle of Wight" (1866)

                    The Wind in the Tree

She has decided that she no longer loves me.
There is nothing to be done.  I long ago
As a child thought the tree sighed 'Do I know
Whether my motion makes the wind that moves me?'

F. T. Prince, Collected Poems (1979).

                            J. M. W. Turner, "Mortlake Terrace" (1827)

                       Revaluation

Now I remember nothing of our love
So well as the crushed bracken and the wings
Of doves among dim branches far above --
Strange how the count of time revalues things!

Patrick MacDonogh, Poems (The Gallery Press 2001).
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10 comments:

  1. From My Easy ChairFebruary 13, 2011 at 7:32 AM

    I'm not sure why but these three poems remind me of Camus' Stranger awakening to the "tender indifference of the universe."

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  2. PALFebruary 14, 2011 at 2:53 PM

    Mr P: three superb variant encapsulations on a theme. I envy you your range of reference - and your library. Do please continue to dig out the obscure and forgotten.

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  3. Stephen PentzFebruary 14, 2011 at 7:57 PM

    As always, thank you for the comment, From My Easy Chair. I love the tie-in to Camus!

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  4. Stephen PentzFebruary 14, 2011 at 8:07 PM

    PAL: I'm pleased that you appreciated the linking of the poems. Aging takes away some things ('why did I come into this room?'), but -- so far at least -- the poetry seems to hang around, and sometimes the products of desultory reading rise unaccountably to the surface.

    As ever, thank you for stopping in, and for the kind words.

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  5. PhemarAugust 15, 2011 at 10:40 AM

    The FT Prince poem is beautiful. Is that the full poem or only a section of it? If there is more, could you please post it sometime?
    I first saw this poem spray painted on a wall near the University of Cape Town. After Googling it I found your page and I'd really love to read the rest of it if there is any.
    Thanks!

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  6. Stephen PentzAugust 16, 2011 at 8:47 PM

    Phemar: thank you very much for visiting and commenting. So you saw the poem spray-painted on a wall! I am envious. There may yet be hope for the world.

    To answer your question: that is the entire poem.

    Thanks again.

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  7. PhemarSeptember 7, 2011 at 10:27 AM

    Thanks Stephen! At first I thought it was just song lyrics (maybe a rap or something), but I'm happy because it led me to the works of FT Prince.
    Any more of him you post would be greatly appreciated :D

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  8. Stephen PentzSeptember 10, 2011 at 10:36 AM

    Phemar: thank you for stopping by again. I'm pleased to have led you to the poetry of F. T. Prince. I'm sure that I'll post something by him in the future. Thanks again.

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  9. chesMay 7, 2012 at 8:31 AM

    i have also seen f.t prince on the uct campus wall. i would like the translation of that poem. if there is a full poem id like a link if anyone has it. my email is moodleychesley@gmail.com. please help!!!!!

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  10. Stephen PentzMay 8, 2012 at 8:56 AM

    ches: thank you for visiting. The full poem (4 lines) appears in the post. The poem was originally written in English, so I am not sure what you mean by "translation." As to its meaning, I think that the poem speaks for itself, and I don't think that I could add anything to what Prince has written.

    Thanks again.

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