Norm:
Though I commented on the other thread containing this picture, seeing it here just rekindles the warmth in your writing, the memory, the things we do want to remember. 

Thank you again for posting it.

Dear Normpo,
I consider this your tribute to both your departed friend and to A.E.Houseman. As a tribute to a bard of yore, I couldn't help but review Houseman's. 
As for Houseman, his piece here is so simply and sincere that I think of it as a marvel in emotion, so powerfully expressed. If I write more tributes, this will be one of the first.
"Periennial" is certainly not simple such as AEH's. 
It's carefully constructed flow and its use of so many min and max beats (Steele ascribes beats of 1 to 4 intensity)
that I suspect it could easily be set to a tune.
Best aspect though is your emulating AEH in the powerfully terse last three words.
Anytime you write something that has a story behind it, I'll appreciate your mentioning it. 
Cheers,    ron   jgd

Can't wait to see the original!!  You should post up an image of it to go with this work. . .

~R~

You know how I love this. . .and you know what I'm waiting for. . .in 5 X 7 form. . .

guess I'll pick it up at the end of April. . .she says with fingers crossed?  *smile*

~Ren~

Perennial



Not with rue look at her face 
with missing rose-lipt child of grace *
adorned with Mary's crown of roses
or other faith this view composes.
Etched on sainted brow is born
coronal chambers free of thorn,
so velvet brush of cheek might stir
within our souls sweet scents of myrrh.
Mind-pure petals, nourishing beads
sustain this flower of ageless seeds.
Thoughts blossom in our inner shrines 
and blend in with our life as signs
of evermore and rose perfumes
perennial, alive she blooms.

*From A.E. Housman's poem "With Rue My Heart is Laden"
*** For Mary -- a friend who passed away 4 years ago ***

© Norman S. Pollack