What lips my lips have kissed
Winter trees
Edna Saint Vincent Millay (1892-1950)
What lips my lips have kissed, and where, and why, I have forgotten, and what arms have lainUnder my head till morning; but the rain
Is full of ghosts tonight, that tap and sigh
Upon the glass and listen for reply,
And in my heart there stirs a quiet pain
For unremembered lads that not again
Will turn to me at midnight with a cry.
Thus in the winter stands the lonely tree,
Nor knows what birds have vanished one by one,
Yet knows it boughs more silent than before:
I cannot say what loves have come and gone,
I only know that summer sang in me
A little while, that in me sings no more.
I am reposting this poem, the first one I ever posted on this blog in June 2004 — also one of my favourite poems– with this photo I took a while ago at Luxembourg gardens in Paris.
Beautiful words that match the picture perfectly!
Comment by Terri — February 6, 2007 @ 6:04 pm
Wonderful combination… The poem is also a favorite of mine and the photo is poetry in itself
Comment by endment — February 7, 2007 @ 1:52 am
Claude, this is almost my very favorite poem. I am so happy to see that you like it too. I referenced it on Carmi’s site last year, when he posted a photo of rain on the windowpane. Thanks for sharing it with those who may not know of it.
Comment by kenju — February 7, 2007 @ 3:19 am
I wasn’t familiar with this poem Claude….it’s really beautiful. And of course your picture….equally as beautiful. I love pictures of trees….and this one is striking with the colors of the sky as its background.
Comment by Joy — February 7, 2007 @ 5:09 am
My grandmother loved Edna St. Vincet Millay. I have her books, passed down, on my shelves.
Comment by MotherPie — February 7, 2007 @ 5:27 pm
There is a stark but striking beauty in this picture, Claude, jut the type I like. As for the poem, I don’t recall reading it before, but what feelings the words can stir.
Comment by Joared — February 8, 2007 @ 5:46 am
So poignant.
Comment by A. — February 16, 2007 @ 10:59 am