What a lovely reciting. Thank you. I like that poem, too. The magic here is the backstory of your history with the book of poems from your mother, and your point that childhood memory sometimes nods toward other events which have occurred down through the years, suggesting a theme or an arc. I cherish that notion. Belated Happy Birthday, Patti.
I live as one with all the realms: May the earth always support my body, may the sky ever stretch above my head, may the waters ever surround my spirit.
May I know the shape of the cosmos until my dying day, and may I join it joyfully when that day has come.
Hi Patti, that's really beautiful. Thank you for your infinite generosity. It warms my heart and makes me feel happy when perhaps I'm feeling a little less so.
Thank you for this post …and all the posts. I dont comment much but I do love them.
Happy belated birthday too. ❤️
I was taken by your sharing how it was your mother’s book and your starring system…you inspired me to look for some of my reflections to see what moved me as child. Hearing this poem I was inspired to the point of looking up Ralph Hodgson and perhaps you have too. On the chance you haven’t I’ve included the Wikipedia link. On a side note Hodgson just so happens to be my mother’s maiden name.
When I was born, my grandfather’s brother gave me a ducking. He lived until I was 10 years old. At Christmas time that year he was so old and sick he could no longer come out of his little hutch that my pop made for him. So I sat outside on the ground and sang every Christmas carol I knew. In the morning he was dead. I tried not to take it personally but I believe it’s why I have trouble singing to people to this day (I’m 64!) I always had a special spot in my heart for birds and I can’t stand to see them in cages either. If you were born to fly, then flying is your right. I believe we are all born to fly but some of us put ourselves in cages.
This is so touching Jayne. Thank you for sharing it here with us. I too love birds and will stop to watch in wonder as they make their flights above us all, busy on their way. Or as they chatter together settling into their tree homes. Most amazing ....the pelicans’ landing transformation! At first sight like planes, then becoming graceful gliders neatly descending, skidding their landing across the water, finally... buoyant boats!!
What a story this is, Jayne. I am so struck by how your 10 year old self took the experience to mean that your singing hurt your duck.
When I was 30, I arrived at the hospital one night and my brother, then ten years sick with AIDS, emaciated, weak, was struggling to breathe. I got into his hospital bed and sang to him all night. At 6:20 am, he took his last breath.
I know that my singing helped my brother, and I believe that your singing helped your duck not to feel alone during whatever he went through that night, his last alive. I wish you could tell yourself the story that way and know that what you did was loving and kind. Your singing did not kill your duck. It carried him until he could fly.
Oh Robin, your poor Brother, I hope he rests in peace now.
Singing come from somewhere deeper than words. I love to sing and I do quite frequently, it’s just that I can’t sing in front of people (some may say that’s a good thing)
Those souls who can sing, and do sing to us are so blessed. They have the power to lift us up and hold us just with their voices a huge responsibility, I often wonder how they maintain it.
Thankfully Patti seems to have found the key to longevity, maybe it’s coffee and peanut butter sandwiches.
Thank you so much for imagining my brother enough to have compassion for his suffering. I’m truly grateful. Despite all that he went through, he was full of life and humor until the very end.
It’s true what you say about those with voices to sing, like Patti. And I agree that her voice and energy are evidence of extraordinary longevity. With Patti, I am hoping for immortality.
You have a clear voice and despite what you think, you do sing to others. The story about your duckling was song.
so very sweet. my mom was going through dishes one day and there was a brown earthen bowl unlike any of her other stuff. When I commented on it she said it was her mother's and I am so happy to have something that belonged to her because I never met her. I think of her every time I use it. Happy birthday! Happiest and most fulfilling of new years!!!!
I had you a fine birthday tribute on FB; I forgot; however, to do it over here. So a happy belated birthday to you, Patti. You're a quiet, intense presence in my life, have been forever.
As for Yeats, I highly approve. Thanks for reading us that.
Happy Birthday Patti!! (day late) Wishing you a wonderful year ahead, with good health, happiness and loads of success however you measure it. Thanks for all you are and all you do. Now and always . Can't wait to see what the future brings for you and for us. Much love x
Happy Birthday, Patti!!! I wish I was celebrating with you at your concert! But I am celebrating you here in my living room with my Christmas tree and guitar!
What a lovely reciting. Thank you. I like that poem, too. The magic here is the backstory of your history with the book of poems from your mother, and your point that childhood memory sometimes nods toward other events which have occurred down through the years, suggesting a theme or an arc. I cherish that notion. Belated Happy Birthday, Patti.
How loverly Patti thank you.
Happy belated birthday, Patricia. 🌹 🌼 🌸 🌻
A Druid's Prayer
Each morning I sing the sun awake,
each night I greet the moon's soft light.
The trees are the pillars of my church,
the stones my pews and the pious alter.
I live as one with all the realms: May the earth always support my body, may the sky ever stretch above my head, may the waters ever surround my spirit.
May I know the shape of the cosmos until my dying day, and may I join it joyfully when that day has come.
🌳 🌠 ❤
What a lovely story about the book of poems your mother gave you.
Good morning, somehow I missed this goodie.
That was a travel day going from the Rockies back to home in New York state.
That you were empathetic to the child who felt the same for the caged being speaks greatly of who you were and are.
I don't think I have anything saved from my childhood.
Thank you,Jayne and Robin for your touching posts.
I love being part of this Patti Smith community with you all.
Love to you all,cyn
Hi Patti, that's really beautiful. Thank you for your infinite generosity. It warms my heart and makes me feel happy when perhaps I'm feeling a little less so.
Hi Patti and fellow followers, Happy New Year.
Thank you for this post …and all the posts. I dont comment much but I do love them.
Happy belated birthday too. ❤️
I was taken by your sharing how it was your mother’s book and your starring system…you inspired me to look for some of my reflections to see what moved me as child. Hearing this poem I was inspired to the point of looking up Ralph Hodgson and perhaps you have too. On the chance you haven’t I’ve included the Wikipedia link. On a side note Hodgson just so happens to be my mother’s maiden name.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ralph_Hodgson
Sending love to you all.
Laura ❤️
When I was born, my grandfather’s brother gave me a ducking. He lived until I was 10 years old. At Christmas time that year he was so old and sick he could no longer come out of his little hutch that my pop made for him. So I sat outside on the ground and sang every Christmas carol I knew. In the morning he was dead. I tried not to take it personally but I believe it’s why I have trouble singing to people to this day (I’m 64!) I always had a special spot in my heart for birds and I can’t stand to see them in cages either. If you were born to fly, then flying is your right. I believe we are all born to fly but some of us put ourselves in cages.
This is so touching Jayne. Thank you for sharing it here with us. I too love birds and will stop to watch in wonder as they make their flights above us all, busy on their way. Or as they chatter together settling into their tree homes. Most amazing ....the pelicans’ landing transformation! At first sight like planes, then becoming graceful gliders neatly descending, skidding their landing across the water, finally... buoyant boats!!
That sounds amazing. I have to look it up on YouTube to see. Thank you for such a wonderful description of pelicans landing!
What a story this is, Jayne. I am so struck by how your 10 year old self took the experience to mean that your singing hurt your duck.
When I was 30, I arrived at the hospital one night and my brother, then ten years sick with AIDS, emaciated, weak, was struggling to breathe. I got into his hospital bed and sang to him all night. At 6:20 am, he took his last breath.
I know that my singing helped my brother, and I believe that your singing helped your duck not to feel alone during whatever he went through that night, his last alive. I wish you could tell yourself the story that way and know that what you did was loving and kind. Your singing did not kill your duck. It carried him until he could fly.
Oh Robin, your poor Brother, I hope he rests in peace now.
Singing come from somewhere deeper than words. I love to sing and I do quite frequently, it’s just that I can’t sing in front of people (some may say that’s a good thing)
Those souls who can sing, and do sing to us are so blessed. They have the power to lift us up and hold us just with their voices a huge responsibility, I often wonder how they maintain it.
Thankfully Patti seems to have found the key to longevity, maybe it’s coffee and peanut butter sandwiches.
Blessings to you Robin,
Jayne
Dear Jayne,
Thank you so much for imagining my brother enough to have compassion for his suffering. I’m truly grateful. Despite all that he went through, he was full of life and humor until the very end.
It’s true what you say about those with voices to sing, like Patti. And I agree that her voice and energy are evidence of extraordinary longevity. With Patti, I am hoping for immortality.
You have a clear voice and despite what you think, you do sing to others. The story about your duckling was song.
Warmly,
Robin
so very sweet. my mom was going through dishes one day and there was a brown earthen bowl unlike any of her other stuff. When I commented on it she said it was her mother's and I am so happy to have something that belonged to her because I never met her. I think of her every time I use it. Happy birthday! Happiest and most fulfilling of new years!!!!
I had you a fine birthday tribute on FB; I forgot; however, to do it over here. So a happy belated birthday to you, Patti. You're a quiet, intense presence in my life, have been forever.
As for Yeats, I highly approve. Thanks for reading us that.
Happy belated birthday, Patti. Thank you.
Happy Birthday Patti!! (day late) Wishing you a wonderful year ahead, with good health, happiness and loads of success however you measure it. Thanks for all you are and all you do. Now and always . Can't wait to see what the future brings for you and for us. Much love x
Thanks Patti for sharing this with us.
Happy Birthday, Patti!!! I wish I was celebrating with you at your concert! But I am celebrating you here in my living room with my Christmas tree and guitar!
 The happiest of birthdays, Patty! I hope you’re dancing the night away… And if not dancing, singing the night away for sure. Much love to you.
Happy Birthday Patti,
Thank you for all the joy and knowledge you’ve given me for so many years.
Wishing you and your family a happy peaceful year ahead.