“I’ve watched thee every hour;I know my mighty sway,I know my magic powerTo drive thy griefs away.”
An artist often speaks in another person’s voice or pictures the world from another person’s perspective. It is part of the role of art to create empathy and to help us discover what it is like to inhabit someone else’s skin for awhile. But that creation of empathy doesn’t just apply to human relationships.
For this Saturday’s Life Quote I’ve chosen a poem by Emily Bronte that speaks in the voice, and pictures the world, from Nature’s point of view. It almost reads like a letter written from a lover who seeks to woo back the one he has lost. And it becomes a great reminder of the relationship we are meant to have with Nature, the health and well-being that can bring, and the need we have for each other in order to thrive.
There are times when I feel the natural world around me is indeed wooing me back. This feeling comes on strongest when I am gripped by all the grey thoughts of the business of existing. Bronte give Nature a voice to call me – and you, as well – back to into its embrace.
Shall earth no more inspire thee
Shall earth no more inspire thee,Thou lonely dreamer now?Since passion may not fire theeShall Nature cease to bow?Thy mind is ever movingIn regions dark to thee;Recall its useless roving—Come back and dwell with me.I know my mountain breezesEnchant and soothe thee still—I know my sunshine pleasesDespite thy wayward will.When day with evening blendingSinks from the summer sky,I’ve seen thy spirit bendingIn fond idolatry.I’ve watched thee every hour;I know my mighty sway,I know my magic powerTo drive thy griefs away.Few hearts to mortals givenOn earth so wildly pine;Yet none would ask a heavenMore like this earth than thine.Then let my winds caress thee;Thy comrade let me be—Since nought beside can bless thee,Return and dwell with me.
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