Tennyson for Tuesday

[primsong]

I turned in a batch of paperbacks at the exchange this past weekend and was delighted to find the little bookshop has expanded its 'classic' section from a couple shelves to a couple bookcases worth. Found a copy of Tennyson's Idylls of the King and randomly opened it last night to find this sparklingly beautiful verse for the humble apple tree:



Lo! in the middle of the wood,
The folded leaf is woo'd from out the bud
With winds upon the branch, and there
Grows green and broad, and takes no care,
Sun-steep'd at noon, and in the moon
Nightly dew-fed; and turning yellow
Falls, and floats adown the air.
Lo! sweeten'd with the summer light,
The full-juiced apple, waxing over-mellow,
Drops in a silent autumn night,
All its allotted length of days,
The flower ripens in its place,
Ripens and fades, and falls, and hath no toil,
Fast-rooted in the fruitful soil.


Just thought I'd share it. I am reminded of why Tennyson remains in my top-list of favorite poets ever.

Comments

[primsong.livejournal.com]

I love history books - which brings to mind, if you haven't read Mark Kurlansky's "Salt: A World History" by all means add it to your reading list. Brilliant and fascinating book.

[thisbluespirit]

Thanks for the heads up! :-)