Tuesday, July 29, 2008

Sonnets from the Portuguese

Sonnet 29

I think of thee! - my thoughts do twine and bud
About thee, as wild vines, about a tree,
Put out broad leaves, and soon there's nought to see
Except the straggling green which hides the wood.
Yet, O my palm-tree, be it understood
I will not have my thoughts instead of thee
Who art dearer, better! Rather, instantly
Renew thy presence; as a strong tree should,
Rustle thy boughs and set thy trunk all bare,
And let these bands of greenery which insphere thee,
Drop heavily down, - burst, shattered everywhere!
Because, in this deep joy to see and hear thee
And breathe within thy shadow a new air,
I do not think of thee - I am too near thee.


- Elizabeth Barrett Browning

All the Sonnets from the Portuguese here.

I think it's time to find myself a good therapist. Sonnets are not fire extinguishers after all - rather they seem to be rich veins of coal for my own personal Centralia.