London

I wander thro’ each charter’d street,

Near where the charter’d Thames does flow

And mark in every face I meet

Marks of weakness, marks of woe.

In every cry of every Man,

In every Infants cry of fear,

In every voice; in every ban,

The mind-forg’d manacles I hear

How the Chimney-sweepers cry

Every blackning Church appalls,

And the hapless Soldier sigh

Runs in blood down Palace walls

But most thro’ midnight streets I hear

How the youthful Harlots curse

Blasts the new-born Infants tear

And blights with plagues the Marriage hearse

Songs of Experience. I find this darker poem to speak of our human nature. To see the faces of the downtrodden, those who are hungry, and in need. “How the Chimney-sweepers cry” “And the hapless Soldier sigh” are lines that show of people working miserable jobs for low wages, in dark despair. Yet there is nothing about reaching out, to lend a helping hand for those could use it. Things today are not that different from then, and as the poem speaks we can see it all, if we bother to look. We see but perhaps sit on our hands. So enough of my thoughts, now it’s your to read and share your opinions. What dark lines speak to you? What would you do when you see someone in need?

Spring

Sound the Flute!
Now it's mute.
Birds delight
Day and Night.
Nightingale
In the dale
Lark in Sky
Merrily
Merrily Merrily to welcome in the Year

Little Boy
Full of joy
                    Little

Little Girl
Sweet and small
Cock does crow
So do you.
Merry voice
Infant noise
Merrily Merrily to welcome in the Year

Little Lamb
Here I am,
Come and lick
My white neck.
Let me pull
Your soft Wool.
Let me kiss
Your soft face.
Merrily Merrily we welcome in the Year

From Songs of Innocence. I choose this for the first poem for after the long winter we had in New England. On such a fine day, I can hear the music from the birds like the flute itself. And can see the religious reflections with the little lamb as Jesus. Together we can welcome in the year, the new year to rejoice in spring. The images of nightingale, the lark, and the gentle lamb all to echo in spring's coming.

Now I welcome you to share your thoughts on this poem. What is it telling you? What do you see in his words? After all this blog for commentary from all my readers. Please share your thoughts.

"Songs of Innocence and of Experience"

Our journey begins...

And we start with a foundation. I'm using the published works of William Blake, "Songs of Innocence and of Experience." This is a collection of two different works, with Innocence first printed in 1789 and then Experience printed in 1794. I always enjoy reading from hard material, hence the book. Other works I find for this blog maybe from electronic resources.

About the book I bought is particularly interesting for, as it includes prints of Blake's etchings. He was most known for his engraving work rather then his poems. I will be looking at his poetry first in this blog, but seeing his other artistic talents is a treat. The book's ISBN is 0192810898. So now we can start to build upward and look downward.