The Habit of Light...



An opulence of beeswax and light...Tahilla Farm

I discovered a poem today.
I read it once, twice..
and I know it won't be the last.

Do you see anyone in these words? 
Grandmother, aunt, sister, 
mother, friend...
yourself?

It has a way about it.

The Habit of Light

In the early evening she liked to switch on the lamps
in corners, on low tables, to show off her brass,
her polished furniture, her silver and glass.
At dawn she'd draw all the curtains back for a glimpse
of the cloud-lit sea. Her oak floors flickered
in an opulence of beeswax and light.
In the kitchen, saucepans danced their lids, 
the kettle purred on the Aga, supper on its breath 
and the buttery melt of a pie, 
and beyond the swimming glass of old windows,
in the deep perspective of the garden, 
a blackbird singing,
she'd come through the bean rows in tottering shoes,
her pinny full of strawberries, 
a lettuce, bringing the palest potatoes in a colander, 
her red hair bright with her habit of colour, 
her habit of light.

Gillian Clarke


In the deep perspective of the garden...Tahilla Farm

With thanks to Francine from Québec for 
enhancing the light of my day by sending me this..




Music by Alexandra Streliski 

I have listened to it once, twice..
and I know it won't be the last.

Jeanne xx

Comments

  1. Upon reading this lovely poem, my first thought was of New England's own Tasha Tudor. Maybe your other readers will be reminded as well. Makes me wonder if she might have been a redhead in her younger days. If you are not familiar with her, a book called The World of Tasha Tudor is a great place to start. 🌞

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    1. Now that you mention it Judy, I definetly see the connection. I have a wonderful book on Tasha's garden, she had the magic touch. ;)

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  2. Good Morning Jeanne,
    You have given us the best of poetry and the best music this morning. The poem is so familiar and so many loved ones who have gone come to mind and those were my role models. Life does not get much better than what you have depicted here

    I wish beeswax floors were common again.

    Thank you for this uplifting yet simple post.

    Helen xx

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    1. You are very welcome Helen…sometimes you need a bit of poetry and music in your day to set the world right. xx

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  3. Thank you Jeanne, for posting the poem and video
    Pierre-Luc Racine is a genius paring the beautiful music and images together.
    The poem reminds me of New England; and light...the crystals hanging in the window catching the sunshine to make little rainbows dance around the room. I tried to wipe a swath of light green off the wall the other day. Wondering how it got there, just as my hand touches the wall, I realize its a part of a rainbow not blocked by things on a nearby shelf.

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    1. Dancing rainbow light…that sounds wonderful May! :)

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  4. Beautiful poem thank you for a tender moment in a busy day

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  5. Thank you Jeanne for another wonderful, thought and soul provoking post. When JudyMac posted about Tasha Tudor I had a big smile for just last weekend I checked out a grand book about Tasha Tudor, many photos and great inspiration for things of the garden and creating with thread and fabric. So much of the historical still finds me comfortable in my home and yard. I truly appreciate your words and views of life, earth, cretivity and pure beauty. The recording is a keeper, for sure.
    Thank you, thank you for the color and warmth you added to my life this day.
    Kristin

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    1. KAM -- This post has prompted me to locate my Tasha Tudor books. I have books in every room of the house, and even though I have been doing some culling of my books recently, I would never part with my Tasha Tudor books. Her children's books are a delight to read, even for adults. Look for "Corgiville Fair." 😊

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    2. Feeling the love for Tasha today, thank you Judy and Kristin for bringing her to light again. My book is sitting on a bookshelf at Tahilla Farm waiting for me, I will be sure to pull it our when I return, not long now.. ;)

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    3. Tasha Tudor, I loved that lady ! I discovered her story, her home, her books and drawings through the Victoria magazine many years ago. I still have the magazines ! 😊💐

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  6. Tell Me that PHOTO is it part of your HOME here in the STATES?
    JUST STUNNING................my floors are all BRICK!I tried to COPY the CASA COLONICA's of ITALY!!!
    It has been WONDERFUL for the animals MARCHING through..........especially the GRAND PIGGY!
    XX

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    1. Yes it is Elizabeth, where the new house meets the old. I am just imagining the GRAND PIGGY making a GRAND ENTRANCE on them…now that would be a sight! xx

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    2. Jeanne. As I get ready for bed your poem and music takes me to a peaceful place. I am reminded of the power of words when I read this poem and realize that I am thinking of my Grandma. Such a beautiful memory.
      thank you friend.
      Leslie

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  7. TASHA TUDOR!I have ALL HER BOOKS TOO................JEANNE are YOU near her home?WHat happened to it after she passed?THAT GARDEN!!!!!!!!

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    1. Her home would have been about one hours drive from our house in New Hampshire. :)

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  8. What a beautiful post, Jeanne. I put the video on and re-read the poem. The poem was a visual feast to begin with, but then reading it again with the music playing completely enhanced the imaginative experience. Thank you for sharing! I hope you have a beautiful weekend in your garden with many hours spent in dappled light and sunbeams.

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    1. Agree Larissa, they work so well together, I find myself checking in during the day to read and play. Love when that happens! ;)

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  9. Loved the poem and the beautiful photos, Jeanne!

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  10. You always share such beautiful things. Words, photos, thoughts - everything.

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    1. Thanks so much Loree, very kind of you to say…xx

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  11. Jeanne, this is a post that I missed and am so happy to have found. The music is beautiful as is the poem and your photos capture my heart. I hope that you are well!

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    1. Thank you Elizabeth, so glad you enjoyed it. Thought you might! ;)

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  12. The cool early light filtering on Tahilla Farm, the nostalgic poem and wonderful music are the simple riches we treasure. Thank you Jeanne.

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  13. Simply lovely, memories of growing up in the Midwest...

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    1. So glad Cindy...I think there is something for everyone in that one. :)

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  14. Reading the poem, I was taken back to the house and garden of my grandmother Ms Ida Clifton. She was just the most special soul, going about her life taking care of her family in a way that bought love, hope virtues, honesty and kindness, always kindness to all . A true gentle lady. And this poem and song brought in all crashing in today. I will sit by her grave this weekend and I will read her this poem and play her this music and tell her how important she still is to me. Thank you to much.

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