Home is Where We Learn the Flowers
after For the Children by Gary Snyder
there is a place that we know of
a meadow watered by snow
neither below here nor above
gatherings where the people grow
together we can pack and ride
making memories all the time
a meadow watered by snow
and there are cities bright that gleam
forever sands succulent growth
there are waters with trenches deep
can you tell which place this defines
your assistance never declined
neither below here nor above
the outstretched limbs of forest trees
nor below the wall stones we lugged
a place we go further in dreams
invention sound scheme and rhyme
to be alive with you in time
gatherings where the people grow
this flying planet held so dear
only earth you already know
home that protects us always here
you see it when you close your eyes
with houses near mountains to climb
together we can pack and ride
and not need much not going far
its you child you know it inside
we will not need bike horse or car
if we agree we do not leave
we can live together in peace
making memories all the time
the people we have always been
called your heart its life reminded
light inside us forests and wind
there is nowhere other than here
inside a you yourself can hear
15 thoughts on "Home is Where We Learn the Flowers"
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blends the distinctions between human happiness and the ecology. makes me think of What’s Going On, Mercy Mercy Me. wonderful stuff.
Thanks manny! Yes! That’s the music for it…..its a children’s song.
The form is a 36 ….the realname i cant remember is in Italian.
If you wanna do the music we can juggle the words some. To be unbroken the rhyme has to work and it has to be in iambic but I didn’t have time. Thank 😊 you!
Title draws me in.
love: “its you child you know it inside”
Thanks Pam 😊 yeah me too !
”
gatherings where the people grow
this flying planet held so dear
only earth you already know
home that protects us always here
you see it when you close your eyes
with houses near mountains to climb”
Pure beauty, Coleman!
With houses near mountains to climb. Was my favorite to write because I was writing it with Gary in mind and I really hope he gets to see it.
He’s still with us and knowing he was still writing here on earth at the same time I’m here as has been one of the great joys of my life.
How beautiful. What a genuine connection.
I love the rhyme scheme and the echoes of Snyder. It’s good to have heroes. You chose yours well.
Thanks Kevin 😊
Yeah I just looked it up….it’s a central sei ….supposed to be tetrameter but yeah lol too many moving pieces. If we can get it right it’s gonna be Gary’s Song 🎵
IYKYK……for next time 😉
So dreamy and gorgeous,
The rhyme and childlike diction of the poem are very distinctive! Now you’ve got me thinking about Gary Snyder. Unique and memorable poem.
Just wonderful. Love the choices you’ve made. This sings.
Mountains to climb for the win!
This is a complex piece to achieve, and you did a masterful job of it! It’s hard to make repeated lines woven in that sound good. Absolutely well done.
Love this! Beautiful depiction of our connectedness.
Challenging. Flowing. Thought provoking. Peace evoking.
Just lovely.