As Spring gives way to Summer’s radiant glow
\nThat warms the world in melting heat
\nWe lose our sense of Winter’s coming snow.<\/p>\n
Spring’s fledglings, fawns, and kits all grow
\nThe calf gives up its mother’s teat
\nAs Spring gives way to Summer’s radiant glow<\/p>\n
Content with grassy fields, the cattle graze and low
\nNewly shorn, sheep softly bleat
\nWe lose our sense of Winter’s coming snow.<\/p>\n
At Winter’s end, we bid the darkness “Go!”
\nAnd soon, its icy chill retreats
\nAs Spring gives way to Summer’s radiant glow<\/p>\n
At last, all Fall to the conquering foe –
\nIn stunning self-deceit
\nWe lose our sense of Winter’s coming snow.<\/p>\n
Smiling, we pretend we do not know
\nWhat end must come, when life’s complete.
\nAs Spring gives way to Summer’s radiant glow
\nWe lose our sense of Winter’s coming snow.<\/p>\n
\u2014 Holly Jahangiri<\/em><\/p>\n Paul Verlaine – a French poet of the 19th century whose poem, Chanson d’automne, was used in WW II.<\/p>\n In preparation for\u00a0Operation Overlord<\/a>, the\u00a0BBC<\/a>‘s\u00a0Radio Londres<\/a>\u00a0had signaled to the\u00a0French Resistance<\/a>\u00a0with the opening lines of the 1866 Verlaine poem “Chanson d’Automne” were to indicate the start of D-Day operations under the command of the\u00a0Special Operations Executive<\/a>. The first three lines of the poem, “Les sanglots longs \/ des violons \/ de l’automne” (“Long sobs of autumn violins”), would mean that Operation Overlord was to start within two weeks. These lines were broadcast on 1 June 1944. The next set of lines, “Blessent mon coeur \/ d’une langueur \/ monotone” (“wound my heart with a monotonous languor”), meant that it would start within 48 hours and that the resistance should begin sabotage operations, especially on the French railroad system; these lines were broadcast on 5 June at 23:15.[3]<\/a><\/sup>[4]<\/a><\/sup>[5]<\/a><\/sup>[6]<\/a><\/sup><\/p><\/blockquote>\n Chanson d’automne – Wikipedia<\/a><\/p>\n It is time for the letter “V” – and I would be remiss if I failed to mention the villainous Villanelle<\/a>. Do note that it was a mistake<\/em> to think it a fixed form; originally, villanelle merely meant a country dance. It might as well have been the Paradelle<\/a>.<\/p>\n April is National Poetry Month<\/a>. This year marks its 27th year. NaPoWriMo<\/a> – 30 days of writing poems – is poets’ answer to National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo).<\/p>\n This coincides with the A to Z Blogging Challenge<\/a>, now celebrating its 13th anniversary. Some participants choose a theme; others wing it. Doesn’t matter! The real challenge is to build a practice of writing daily. I think I stuck with it…once.\u00a0You can see the list of participants<\/a> – I’m sure they’d love it if you’d visit and comment on their blogs.<\/p>\n This month, my goal is to:<\/p>\nToday’s Poet<\/h2>\n
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