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@ 2009-11-07 – 03:05:30
SLEEP
Sleep, when a soul that her own clouds cover
Wails that sorrow should always keep
Watch, nor see in the gloom above her
Sleep,
Down, through darkness naked and steep,
Sinks, and the gifts of his grace recover
Soon the soul, though her wound be deep.
God beloved of us, all men's lover,
All most weary that smile or weep
Feel thee afar or anear them hover,
Sleep.
Algernon Charles Swinburne
jollyweez
I am really sorry that your illness makes you feel like that.
I do hope that the medicos will be able sort you out and give you some relief.
I shall be thinking of you.
Colin
jollyweez
Oh no! It is not my medical problems. I was recalling my grief when my late husband died. Also, my mother went through the same sort of grief when my step-father died. This includes friends, family members - one has to go through that stage.
You wake-up and have to relive it again, for months, until grief is washed-out at last.
I am sure you have been through it too.
"Bonjour Tristesse" was a film made in the 1950's, from the same book, about a young girl who was jealous that her father was spending too much time with a lady he intended to marry.
This lady died in a car wreck, and then the young girl realized how very much she really had loved her. She tells us that now, each morning, she is faced with sadness.
I have had nobody close to me die in recent years. My parents died in the 70s and 80s and, although I was very close to them, I got over the grief years ago.
However, a few people I have loved have moved out of my life and that in some ways is like a death - and I grieve.
jollyweez
Sleep can be a wonderful relief when one is grieving.
The dreams are ordinary dreams and one is happy again.
However, one has to awaken and face it all over again.
This is how I interpreted the poem.
I am so glad you have never really known that terrible wrenching feeling. I hope you never have to. It is overwhelming.
Was this the correct interpretation of Swinburne's poem?
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This is beautiful. Thank you, Colin.
It is true that sleep relieves us from the pain of sorrow, if only just for a few short hours.
On the other hand, one awakens, and knows something is wrong. One lies there and, suddenly, the wave comes again. The pain. You remember why you feel something is wrong.
Another 'Bonjour Tristess.' Another 'Good morning, Sadness.'