Tuesday, January 27, 2009


Our Anniversary

Outside it was dead of winter, all grey blues, shadow, and chill. But past glowing windows that twinkled with whispered sonnets to the light of Arthurian candles - snow white, ruby red, and roses. So many roses. It was a beginning, a golden circle of serenity, certainty, grace, laughter. A moment in time that continues even today, to warm, to cheer - to shower more roses, even more, through winter shadows, with every passing year until all we know is beauty.
It was a winter wedding. And today we celebrate.


My heart is like a singing bird
Whose nest is in a water'd shoot;
My heart is like an apple tree
Whose boughs are bent with thick set fruit;
My heart is like a rainbow shell
That paddles in a halcyon sea;
My heart is gladder than all these,
Because my love is come to me.

Raise me a daïs of silk and down;
Hang it with vair and purple dyes;
Carve it in doves and pomegranates,
And peacocks with a hundred eyes;
Work it in gold and silver grapes,
In leaves and silver fleurs-de-lys;
Because the birthday of my life
Is come, my love is come to me.

by Christina Rosetti

40 comments:

  1. Lovely photo and equally beautiful poem. I appreciate the romantic Athurian paintings of knights and ladies. I have a reproduction of "God Speed" in my living room that I like to look at more often than I usually admit.

    Thank you for visiting my blog and its wintry weather.

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  2. Ah, I love Rosetti! So good.

    Love all of the rosy, Arthurian thoughts...

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  3. Likewise, if it's your anniversary, have a good one.

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  4. Hello P&E,

    Another lovely poem. I'm so glad you do all the hard work of looking them out for us!

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  5. Oh, HAppy Anniversary!!! Love is the wonder that gives our lufe meaning, and you seem to have full measure. May it always be so.

    On this occasion it was Piere de Ronsard, but New Dawnis so a very special a rose to us as it surrounded the Prof's grandmothers balcony on the second floor of the family georgian mansion. I have one in my garden and hope it survives.

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  6. Happy Anniversary -- what beautiful thoughts for a special day --

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  7. Love the rich colours and imagery in the final stanza. The 1st time I came across her work was as a child in the song "In the Bleak Mid-Winter". I remember thinking "earth as hard as iron" yes- that is just how it is and cold like an iron horseshoe to the touch. Such a gifted poet.

    I hope you have a happy anniversary/birthday.

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  8. A visit to your blog is a visit to a serene, peaceful retreat. Thank you so much for the moment of calm reflection.

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  9. A celebration is indeed in order.
    That was beautiful.
    A very happy day to you~

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  10. What a wonderful painting and poem. So graceful and lovely. Have a glorious day!

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  11. Happy Anniversary, err, or Birthday, or umm - Tuesday? LOL! Lovely photo and beautiful verse.

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  12. Happy Anniversary, Pamela!
    I love the imagery of the snowy world and the love warmth. You really are such a master of words.
    xo Isa

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  13. Indeed - Happy Anniversary to you and the Songwriter! May God bless you with many more years of happiness and health. I love you both!

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  14. A very happy anniversary! What a fun time to have a wedding ~ right in the dead of winter. I think it is a romantic time.

    Hugs ~
    Heidi

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  15. One of my favourite poets! Have a very happy anniversary:)

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  16. Residents of the House of Edward, Extreemly cool! Thanks for visiting me and I hope we can continue the connection. I added myself as a follower. I love Rosetti and what a lovely painting.

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  17. Happy Anniversary! Here's to many, many more!

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  18. I love this poem.
    Many happy returns of both celebrations.

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  19. Happiest Anniversary from Miss Winnie Dixon, Bleet, Oliver, Gus and myself

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  20. Happy Anniversary from all of us at Necky Knoll House!

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  21. Pre Raphaelites rock, whimsy lyrical loveliness...

    www.okathleen.wordpress.com

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  22. Congratulations, much joy for years to come.

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  23. HAPPY ANNIVERSARY dear Pamela and Songwriter! Many many more happy years ahead!

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  24. Happy anniversary...I hope you are out celebrating!!

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  25. Happy Anniversary, and lovely words again :)

    Kim x

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  26. Happy Anniversary!

    Oh how wonderful, a winter wedding.
    I chose spring purposely so that I could fill vases and vases of one of my favorite wild flowers... cow parsley, that most people consider a weed here. ( Otherwise it would have been winter with lots of candles)
    x

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  27. Many happy returns of the day!
    I shower you with rose petals!
    xo xo

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  28. Oh, I love this. especially on this day, cloaked in white.
    happy anniversary winter an to you.

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  29. Happy Anniversary to you and that handsome song writer husband of yours! Hope the two of you celebrated in style.

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  30. I, too, love Christina Rossetti's works....

    A very happy belated anniversary to you and "The Songwriter."

    Stay warm this wintry week...

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  31. Happy Anniversary, Pamela.
    What a gorgeous poem to help celebrate an important day.

    xo
    Brooke

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  32. Happy Belated Anniversary! I hope it was a special one. May all the tomorrows ahead be as specials as all the yesterdays.

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  33. I hope you had a wonderful anniversary with lots of Roses...and Rosetti!
    Catherine

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  34. Many congratulations on your anniversary. x

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  35. Beautiful words from Rossetti, she is a favourite of mine. A beautiful picture formed in my mind too, whilst reading your own words, happy anniversary too you.

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  36. A rosy winter wedding...divine.
    Anniversary blessings to you.

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  37. Such a beautiful poem. Congratulations seems an inadequate word.

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I love to read your comments! Each and every one! Though I'm always reading your comments, I may not respond in the comment section. If you want to write me directly, you may do so at pamela@pamelaterry.net. Thank you for reading!