birds and words #2

Loose Feathers Poetry Corner

"THE SADDEST NOISE" -- Emily Dickinson

The saddest noise, the sweetest noise,
The maddest noise that grows, --
The birds, they make it in the spring,
At night's delicious close.

Between the March and April line--
That magical frontier
Beyond which summer hesitates,
Almost too heavenly near.

It makes us think of all the dead
That sauntered with us here,
By separation's sorcery
Made cruelly more dear.

It makes us think of what we had,
And what we now deplore.
We almost wish those siren throats
Would go and sing no more.

An ear would break a human heart
As quickly as a spear,
We wish the ear had not a heart
So dangerously near.


Thank you all for your very kind comments and for taking the time to stop by here. I hope you enjoy this rather sad but lovely poem by the inestimable E.D., as well as week 2 progress. To my SAL friends, Nancy, Janice, Mary Kathryn, and Angela, have fun stitching!

We are desperately in love with our sweet new kitten, Philo. He is affectionate and curious and quite at home in our little apartment. It is delightful to see all the wee places he is finding to hide and nap.

Now I just wanted to take a moment to address a few questions left in the comments last time. Monique: I do tend to stitch with one color for a bit before moving on to the next one, but if I have to move more than a few squares over, I just tuck my thread under the stitches just finished, cut that thread, and start a new one. This will help you avoid having a messy back. I hope that helps - if you need any other guidance, such as it is, feel free to email me: rachelvendsel at yahoo dot com

Nancy I did leave you a comment at your blog regarding the title title of the poetry book I'm using, but in case you didn't see or for anyone else who couldn't click through the link, the book is called On Wings of Song: Poems About Birds from the Everyman's Library Pocket Poet hardback collection, which are very beautiful little books, sized for carrying with you to read at picnics, or on the train, or what have you.

Janis Lee: I did not change any of the threads or fabric, I am stitching on the recommended R&R and using the fibers from Weeks Dye Works. There is a rather obvious water stain on my fabric but I'm afraid I made that while ironing my fabric. I'm hoping the house part of the design will cover that up. :)

Also, Barbara, thanks for your comment with the quote by ee cummings -- love that! How wonderful to use on your birth announcements.

I haven't made it around to all your blogs recently but hope to remedy that this weekend. Hope you are all doing well and have a nice weekend whatever you are doing.