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.

Comments

Nancy said…
It's beautiful Rachel, and the water stain gives it age and character. I read on a Mary Garry chart recently to give your sampler age wash it, let it dry, and do not iron out the wrinkles. So you see to be beautiful it doesn't need to be perfect.

Give that adorable little kitten a hug from me!

Happy stitching,
Nancy
Sally said…
Your WIP is lovely and I love the poem.

Just seen the picture of your new kitten. So adorable!
Carol said…
What a lovely poem! And your WIP is gorgeous! I can't wait to find time to stitch that one too :-) In the meantime, I enjoy drooling over yours :-)
Now that's an Emily Dickinson that I hadn't seen before. It's different for her, more of an easily-grasped meter and structure. I like it!

And your stitching is gorgeous! The ONS assured me that my Loose Feathers were now winging their way toward me. :D
Hazel said…
Such lovely stitching I have been missing Rachel! I have this on ein my stash to do but I only got it yesterday! Your kitten is adorable. We had to send our cats outside today as one of them pood on the kitchen floor. Naughty cat! xx
Barb said…
That piece is looking nice. It's going to be beautiful when done.
piko said…
It's beautiful!
Anonymous said…
May you be blessed and happy as soon as you awake this Sunday morning and during all the day too.
Friendly from Renee http://latelierdelacolombe.com
Wendy said…
Lovely work on your new WIP, Rachel! And what an achingly sweet poem. Thank you for sharing.
Vonna Pfeiffer said…
It is gorgeous!!! Love the water stain :)
Andrea said…
It's beautiful! I love the water stain and agree with Nancy that it adds character. Sometimes when I am shopping for fabric at the LNS, I specifically look for the pieces with the most distressed look.
Yours is wonderful, don't change a thing!
Margaret said…
Yes it is rather sad - but beautiful all the same.
Your WIP is lovely - what a wonderful pattern.
For Philo - a little scratch on his head and under his chin from me.
Have a great week.
Cross-stitch and poetry. What a lovely combination!
Stephanie said…
I love your poetry corner idea Rachel! And a beautiful start on ADD - they are such lovely designs, I can't wait to start mine :)
Cathy B said…
What a lovely poem - thank you for sharing it with us. Your loose feathers project is looking great - the thread colors are beautiful!
Sandy said…
Love the poem and the stitching. Great colors. TFS.
Anonymous said…
Your picture of your start to this BBD is just gorgeous. I love the colors and it is hard to resist getting this design!!! I will have to live vicariously thru you. Glad you are enjoying that kitten, they are so much fun!
Jen said…
Love your blog! It is very inspiring. I really like the piece you are currently working on. Maybe, soon, I will try some of these charts.

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