A Poem for Spring
Morris dancing in Minneapolis, Minnesota on May Day morning 2007. Team is Bells of the North. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
This poem is the opening poem from my book A Matter of Mind (Foothills Publishing, 2004.) It has just recently been set to music by Chris Harford who has included it on his new album. I am of course pleased, although there are some unsettled issues about permissions that need to be resolved. I’ve told him that once the issues are worked out, I’ll add a link so you can find it easily and download his music.
The morning and the evening glimmer.
Heaven turns and the earth’s heart swells.
Dancers in their ribbons shimmer.
Peepers sound like Morris bells.
These people have their drums and horns.
They have their songs and watchers’ eyes.
Callers tell them of their forms.
And with their simple faith in earth and sky
The dancers’ feet repeat the sounds
Of new life stirrings underground
And with their steps and songs awaken
Ancient legends the world’s forsaken.
They dance for Demeter‘s cyclic plight,
And the earth responds with green delight.
© Joseph Saling and The New Word Mechanic, 2004, 2013.
Nothing better than all things spring. I got this one very easily. I’ll await to hear it to music. Shame on them for not getting permission first.
Have a fabulous day. 🙂
Thanks, Sandee. You have a great spring!
Lovely poem – glad it’s been set to music. I don’t think I was aware of Morris dancing (thanks for the link) of Chris Hartford – so this was an educational as well as delightful post!
Thanks, Charles.
Morris dancers always seem to take their art and their tradition very seriously. I first saw a group at a folk dancing festival in Ohio.