Sunday, April 29, 2012

Sunday Morning Poetry


for Jeffrey, my love.  His favorite poem, on his birthday.  Happy birthday, love. 

Ulysses
'Tis not too late to seek a newer world. 
Push off, and sitting well in order smite
The sounding furrows; for my purpose holds
To sail beyond the sunset, and the baths
Of all the western stars, until I die.
It may be that the gulfs will wash us down:
It may be that we shall touch the Happy Isles,
And see the great Achilles, whom we knew.
Though much is taken, much abides; and though
We are not now that strength which in the old days
Moved earth and heaven; that which we are, we are, 
One equal-temper of heroic hearts, 
Made weak by time and fate, but strong in will
To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield.
~ by Alfred, Lord Tennyson


The photo above is about 18 years old and of one of our special places, at home, in Tennessee.

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

Oh I love "that which we are, we are"! A very happy birthday to Jeffrey.

Jeanne said...

Happy Sunday my sweet friend.
Love you
Jeanne

Auntie sezzzzzz... said...

Happy Birthday to your Dear Man!!!

Marvelous poem, to be his favorite...

S. Etole said...

What a fantastic poem. Birthday blessings for your dear one.

Roban said...

Lovely poem, Relyn. I especially like the first line.... Happy birthday to your hubby!

Rita said...

Your Jeffrey is a wonderful man! What a wonderful poem for him.

Amy said...

Happy Birthday to Jeffrey . . . or a very Merry Un-birthday, as the case may be! :)

Anonymous said...

To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield.

My mother used to quote that line from time-to-time. I don't think that I knew its source, but she'd say it to me as quiet encouragement as I tackled some seemingly insurmountable task-- like my homework.

Mom had a very subtle sense of humor. ;-)

IsAug said...

Love the poem! To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield :)

Oldies, but Goodies