Ezra Pound

I wanted to comment quickly on the title of my blog. In case you don't know, the title is an allusion to Ezra Pound's wonderful poem, Erat Hora. I read it for the first time in 11th grade English at St. Catherine's, and it remains one of my very favorite pieces of writing. I think the language is beautiful and touching, and I find the poem to be wonderfully resonant and restorative. Plus, who doesn't love a Latin title (erat hora translates 'there was an hour.')?! I still have my original copy from 11th grade tacked up on my bulletin board next to my desk, and reread it often. Here is the poem in its entirety (it's just a short one):

Erat Hora

"Thank you, whatever comes." And then she turned

And, as the ray of sun on hanging flowers

Fades when the wind hath lifted them aside,

Went swiftly from me. Nay, whatever comes

One hour was sunlit, and the most high gods

May not make boast of any better thing

Than to have watched that hour as it passed.

I just love that idea--that "one hour was sunlit," and that is enough. Because of that hour, the narrator is serene, and ready to accept whatever comes with grace and gratitude. Plus the language is just great--how gorgeous is that image of "the ray of sun on hanging flowers," and the wind gently carrying them in a breeze. I really crave that kind of simple satisfaction. And there is so much in my life that is deserving of my gratitude, I get really frustrated with myself when I can't seem to calm down, reflect, and feel grateful and satisfied. I'm really trying, though, to find more time for time for reflection--hence this blog. And even as I sit here and think about gratitude, it really hits me how rich my life is. I have wonderful people supporting me, with whom I have shared many sunlit hours. And when spring arrives, I hope that we will share many more.