Saturday, July 30, 2005

thank you!!

I have been so overwhelmed reading all the lovely and encouraging comments and emails to my last post that I feel I have no right to complain at all.
Thank you guys, it means a lot more to me than I can say here!

It is almost five in the evening and after a morning of unblemished sunlight, some naughty clouds have been gathering to make merry and wash us all down with some rain. Some silly friend of my cousin has come to pick him up and is honking like he has invented it, I want to drape him over the wheel and make him croak!

Drinking tea
Morning breathes
On moist skin

I have discovered that if you put a teaspoon or so of orange marmalade to a cup of green tea, it tastes and smells divine. The delicate smell of orange blended with the aroma of tea and the warm reddish colour of the drink, its totally worth trying.

Mama wants me to go out with her somewhere, anywhere and I am not in the mood to do so. I would have to change out of these dirty rags, put on my lenses etc not that I always do this but ma gets angry with me when I step out of the house looking like a crumpled bed sheet. If I don’t go, I will feel guilty so I guess I will, leaving you with a poem I found some days back. Heard a few of its lines in a movie, then a friend told me the name of the poem. Its by Dylan Thomas and it is beautiful. I went on to read some more of his poems and he is fabulous!!! Enjoy!

And Death Shall Have No Dominion
by: Dylan Thomas

And death shall have no dominion.
Dead men naked they shall be one
With the man in the wind and the west moon;
When their bones are picked clean and the clean bones gone,
They shall have stars at elbow and foot;
Though they go mad they shall be sane,
Though they sink through the sea they shall rise again;
Though lovers be lost love shall not;
And death shall have no dominion.

And death shall have no dominion.
Under the windings of the sea
They lying long shall not die windily;
Twisting on racks when sinews give way,
Strapped to a wheel, yet they shall not break;
Faith in their hands shall snap in two,
And the unicorn evils run them through;
Split all ends up they shan't crack;
And death shall have no dominion.

And death shall have no dominion.
No more may gulls cry at their ears
Or waves break loud on the seashores;
Where blew a flower may a flower no more
Lift its head to the blows of the rain;
Though they be mad and dead as nails,
Heads of the characters hammer through daisies;
Break in the sun till the sun breaks down,
And death shall have no dominion.

32 comments:

Sue hardy-Dawson said...

A beautiful poem, we did a lot of Dylan Thomas for GCSE, in fact The Thought Fox by Ted Hughs set me off writing. stay happy hugs Sue

Misreflection said...

Hey GS, the guys in blog-world love you I'm sure the ones in your world do to, sadness attacks us all, its essential, its actually a blessing, its makes you realise the wealth of happiness that lies all around you, temporarily, forgotten. You're a gem that will shine on. so shine... you just can't help it.. :), Intense poem but great.

Once the Conman said...

Why is it so tough to read poetry? I'm serious I mean it. Before reading a poem, I first look at its length. When it's as long as this one, I skip it.
Why is it so tough?
Need answers.

G Shrivastava said...

I have such issues with ppl forcing a certain "look" on me - your comment abt having to wear lenses reminded me of the time ppl harassed me to buy lenses coz I'd look so much more "fun" and "cool" with them...it was a time fraught with iden issues...I never did learn to wear lenses, but today I'm so happy with my specs and me as I am, wouldn't change me for anything!

My fav Dylan Thomas poem is 'Dont go gentle into the night' which I posted on my Literary Mosaic :- http://literarymosaic.blogspot.com/2003_09_01_literarymosaic_archive.html

gulnaz said...

Mridula, i am so happy that your blog has got another mention, you really deserv it. I enjoy reading about your travel tales. that shop in ladakh had a funny name and btw, loook at the colour of the produce, so green! yummy!!! :)

P-f: you will love it, I am sure and believe me i;m not sad. i know its a sad poem but doesnt sometimes sad things also make you feel nice. am i sounding warped? maybe. :)

Sue: thanks darling and hugs will read the poem you mention. :)

Missy: awww, stop! i'm blushing, love you darling!
Though they go mad they shall be sane,
Though they sink through the sea they shall rise again;
Though lovers be lost love shall not;
And death shall have no dominion.
those are my favourite lines.

Yours Truly: :) its ok. :) the next time you want to read a poem, don't feel you have to like it, just read it aloud, savour the sounds, enjoy the images, don't feel there is a particular meaning you have to get, take it from it what it is giving you at that moment. if you feel like come back to it again. was i of any help here? btw, read at mermaid that you liked how we wrote, thanks! :))

Geetanjali: everytime i take your name, i think what a pretty name. :) i can totally understand what you mean!! wear lenses only if you want to and believe me they take a lil bit of practise.
you are a swell gal, i don't think anyone would want to change you! try the lenses for the heck of it and see if you like yourself in them, glasses (the correct frames) are just as cool....sadly mine are always hideous, the one i'm wearing right now are like aby jr's in dhoom. hehe

Once the Conman said...

before I start understanding poetry, I really need to understand what :) means... and :)) too...
What is it?

Anonymous said...

for a minute after reading this I was wondering whether I was reading Gulnaz's blog or a scene from an American novel set in the deep south...the stylistic change was so sudden and breathtaking.... you make it seem so effortless...a doff of the ole hat for the fair and talented lady!

Joann said...

I'll tell my 17 year old daughter about the marmalade in her green tea. (Daughter looks so cute when she puts on her other clothes and a bit of color on her face.)

Russell Ragsdale said...

Gulnaz, I copied the Dylan Thomas poem greatfully. I have opened it in the daytime and watched it sparkle with sunlight. Just wanted to tell you that when I am in tune with you, you are my source and my completion, no matter what mood you are in! I want that you would know yourself as I know you!

. : A : . said...

Agree with what Anil has said above. The style has suddenly changed and it feels like I am almost reading a different blog.

:-)

sk8rn said...

Wow. Our mental energies must be totally in sync. i just posted a death-related poem on my blog today, too. Hope you're starting to feel better.

mermaid said...

There are so many opinions about death, the afterlife. This says it so sweetly...no matter what the afterlife holds, even if there is nothing...death shall have no dominion.

Once the Conman said...

Thanks Irina :)

Anonymous Poet said...

Keep on writing!

Vasu the terrible said...

Nice poem,

Death is a fascinating subject and surely would love to spend a lot of years researching this aspect.

I dont understand why people associate scary, sad and dark emotions with it.

vasu

Anonymous said...

Just echoing what others said about your style -- it's the mark of a true blogging virtuoso :)

Have you ever heard the BBC Audio version of 'Under Milk Wood'? It's narrated by Richard Burton it was astonishing. (I think it's downloadable from Amazon for about $10)

Hope you managed to enjoy going out with your mom!

Sue hardy-Dawson said...

Just in case you couldn't find it I have posted it for you. What I love about it is the comparison to inspiration. I also found out later that he had twice tried to save some fox cubs and both times a farmer got them so this was a way of making the fox triamphant safe in his head. Sylvia Plath his wife is also worth a look, I particularly like a poem by her called 'the mirror'.

THE THOUGHT-FOX

I imagine this midnight moment’s forest:
Something else is alive
Beside the clock’s loneliness
And this blank page where my fingers move.

Through the window I see no star:
Something more near
Though deeper within darkness
Is entering the loneliness:

Cold, delicately as the dark snow,
A fox’s nose touches twig, leaf;
Two eyes serve a movement, that now
And again now, and now, and now

Sets neat prints into the snow
Between trees, and warily a lame
Shadow lags by stump and in hollow
Of a body that is bold to come

Across clearings, an eye,
A widening deepening greenness,
Brilliantly, concentratedly,
Coming about its own business

Till, with a sudden sharp hot stink of fox
It enters the dark hole of the head.
The window is starless still; the clock ticks,
The page is printed.


By Ted Hughes

Anonymous said...

I really need to take a course to learn how to experience poetry. I read it but it doesn't grab me and shake me, like I think it should.

Lorena said...

thanks for the lyrics.

hope you had a great time saturday. love your comparison to
"looking like a crumpled bed sheet"
:)

{illyria} said...

you are too sweet, gulnaz. and i loved reading those lyrics. i love dylan thomas.

Sindhuja Parthasarathy said...

"Morning breathes
On moist skin"

like a silken touch!!

Good 2 c u in a finer mood now :)And yeah i fully see wot u mean by "optimism like O2" been there ;)

Pallavi said...

Somehow the poem reminds me of something I read at school.. Death be not proud..

DEATH be not proud, though some have called thee
Mighty and dreadfull, for, thou art not so,
For, those, whom thou think'st, thou dost overthrow,
Die not, poore death, nor yet canst thou kill me.
From rest and sleepe, which but thy pictures bee, 5
Much pleasure, then from thee, much more must flow,
And soonest our best men with thee doe goe,
Rest of their bones, and soules deliverie.
Thou art slave to Fate, Chance, kings, and desperate men,
And dost with poyson, warre, and sicknesse dwell, 10
And poppie, or charmes can make us sleepe as well,
And better then thy stroake; why swell'st thou then;
One short sleepe past, wee wake eternally,
And death shall be no more; death, thou shalt die.


Ah yes and must try that tea...

Patry Francis said...

A blog is a great place to try out new writing styles, to explore the width and depth of your talent, to insert beautiful haiku, and secrets for fragrant tea, to make someone remember a wonderful Dylan Thomas poem. Your post did all that. I'm in awe!

iamnasra said...

Thank you for allowing us to read his poetry...
Your haiku represented a very soft touch ...It carried us to the land of spices where the leaves of tea are harvested and the pleasure sipping the aromatic tea let our thoughts trail so far away...

I guess after being dreaming, the poetry of Dylan Thomas poem...had to bring me down to earth...awaking me from my magical dream

Anonymous said...

that was beautiful! and you're most welcome! so glad you are feeling better! cheers, ;)

Akruti said...

Your talent always amazes me,way to go lady,takecare and hugs to you,read all your previous posts too,hope things are fine with you now.

Rat said...

Dylan Thomas !! I almost forgot about him since my lit days !!

Mridula said...

As you mention that delicious smelling tea, my stomach is protesting. I am a big fan and had some very good mint tea in Ladakh. See, if you mention tea, I cannot concentrate on anything else

Pincushion said...

look at the lady blossom!
sad or not sad, she's in her element!!
green T..? yes!
orange marmalade...errrr...lol!

gulnaz said...

am sitting in a cramped internet cafe, so i will reply to the individual comments later, just wanted to thank all of you once again. *big big smile*
btw, was not conscious of a change in style at all. :) now i cant wait to read your blogs now, so later ;)

gulnaz said...

irina, i am glad you saw the beauty in it, that is what i was struck by. i had heard it in this movie, it fitted the scene and the lines were delivered well by sean penn and poetry if spoken well takes it to another level totally, i wish i could too!
the haiku would go well with coffee too.;) you are right about being there for others. and thanks for answering YTC. :)

Anil, hehe you are teasing me! :) thanks though! :)

Joann, :)) good to see you , havent seen you around here lately! :)

Russell, I am so happy that you liked the poem so much, makes me happy about posting it! :) i really don't know myself! :)

.:A:., reallly now, hehe :)

Sk8RN, and i hope you are feeling better too dear. :)

Mermaid, its a good thought indeed!

Anon poet, thanks and i hope you continue commenting! :)

Vasu, of course its scary, you have to dress in white, lay down amidst all sorts of people, waitling, some eating and then you can't speak and then you are gone, lockes up forever lol...it is scary! :)

Joe, ah!! hardly a virtuoso! i;m just lucky that i have the sweetest kindest ppl commeting on mine. :) yep enoyed with ma, i love her really. :)

Sue, thanks so much for posting the poem, i enjoyed reading it so much. havent read plath's poetry, am going to now,have read under a bell jar, the saddest book i have ever read. could not believe she killed herself, so talented and young! well!

indigo, it doesnt matter! :)

M, i can even look like a stained and dirty tablecloth after a feast! :)

Lorena, hehe :)

trans, yea he is super!! and thank you sooo much!! :) you are the sweetest!

Samudraa, ah, a kindred soul! :)

Pallavi, thanks for the poem, its fantastic...death thou shalt die! wow! you will love the tea. :)

GA,thanks!

Patry, to top all that you have people leaving behind the sweetest and kindest words which make you smile and think well of yourself and you do it with your comments too! :)
thanks!

finnegan, wow, i am thrilled with myself! :))
i hope you keep coming here!

nasra, i hope you enjoyed getting lost in your thoughts, i would love to follow the trail of your thoughts. :)

Mitzee, thanks darling! cheers to you too! am sorry i havent visited your blog lately, my usual net connection is not working so...

Akruti, hugs 2 u 2 and am so happy that you took out the time to even read the previous posts! thanks!

rat, he is wow! welcome aboard! :)

Mridula, i am so evnvious of you having been to ladakh! :) i have heard they put yak butter in ladakhi tea? the only tea i don't like is the nun-chai of kmr, its too salty for my taste, just doesnt tasteliketea. i don't like too, 'heavy' teas. :) hope u got a cuppa. :)

Pins, honestly it tastes good, believe me! :)

pf, why are you melancholy honey? whatever it is, you will come on top of it, take care of yourself in the meanwhile and why would u want to stop commenting?

gulnaz said...

p-f you are the cutest one! :)