James Joyce (1882-1941)
OK, I discovered a day late by a few references here and there in Xanga that it was Bloomsday yesterday, a day to celebrate Joyce’s most famous novel, Ulysses. He also wrote poetry:
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I Hear an Army
I hear an army charging upon the land,
And the thunder of horses plunging; foam about their knees:
Arrogant, in black armour,behind them stand,
Disdaining the reins, with fluttering whips, the Charioteers.
They cry into the night their battle name:
I moan in sleep when I hear afar their whirling laughter.
They cleave the gloom of dreams, a blinding flame,
Clanging, clanging upon the heart as upon an anvil.
They come shaking in triumph their long grey hair:
They come out of the sea and run shouting by the shore.
My heart, have you no wisdom thus to despair?
My love, my love, my love, why have you left me alone?
[Des Imagistes, 1914]
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Deep Thought: If you think a weakness can be turned into a strength, I hate to tell you this, but that’s another weakness.
Today I am grateful for: Islands
Comments (5)
Hey, thanks for subbing… “they” are my family/children.
I didn’t know James Joyce wrote poetry. I’ve never managed to read Ulysses but I like the poem.
And if I believe a strength can be turned into a weakness, is that a strength?
…..hmmmmm…….
I like the last line, especially.
Hugs to you.
As always I enjoyed visiting your site.
I read James Joyce’s Portrait of the Artist As A Young Man, and went to reading’s of Finnegan’s Wake.
Oh to begin again like Finnegan.
Take care & Have a Great Weekend!