Both here and in Romeo & Juliet we find the lark a symbol of transition and acceptance. Her state as a maid has been altered or is about to be. While her vulnerability can be seen as purity, the red of the poppies in small dollops suggest she has made a decision to move forward with her transformation sexually ‘into a new day’ as the lark will sing her way. She has heard the call of womanhood.
Some of the most beautiful passages in the English language were translated from 19th century Russian. The words below were translated by Constance Garnett from Gogol’s story “The Fair at Sorochintsy” (from Evenings Near the Village of Dikanka). The painting made me think of it.
“How intoxicating, how magnificent is a summer day in Little Russia. How luxuriantly warm the hours when midday glitters in stillness and sultry heat and the blue fathomless ocean covering the plain like a dome seems to be slumbering, bathed in languor, clasping the fair earth and holding it close in its ethereal embrace! Upon it, not a cloud; in the plain, not a sound. Everything might be dead; only in the heavenly depths a lark is trilling, and from the airy heights the silvery notes drop down upon adoring earth, and from time to time the cry of a gull or the ringing note of a quail sounds in the steppe.”
Ah yes, Constance Garnett, I remember the name well from my Russian lit class at university back in the day. I don’t know that Gogol story, but it’s a beautiful passage. In the heavenly depths a lark is trilling. Thanks for sharing, Edward, and I am very glad my poem could make that connection for you.
Love this 💓
Thanks, Raquel!
If only lasses felt so free
to lie beneath a sky so blue
on a carpet of grass so green.
Well done, Ron!
Yes indeed, well done. Thanks, Ronald!
Lovely
Thanks, Dian!
Lovely, Alan
Appreciate it, Paul!
“Haply I think on thee, and then my state,
Like to the lark at break of day arising
From sullen earth, sings hymns at heaven's gate;
For thy sweet love remembered such wealth brings
That then I scorn to change my state with kings.”
Both here and in Romeo & Juliet we find the lark a symbol of transition and acceptance. Her state as a maid has been altered or is about to be. While her vulnerability can be seen as purity, the red of the poppies in small dollops suggest she has made a decision to move forward with her transformation sexually ‘into a new day’ as the lark will sing her way. She has heard the call of womanhood.
So nicely observed and read, LaMonica! The connection you draw with Romeo and Juliet is especially interesting. Great stuff!
Always a pleasure when I am able to take time out to read you—I try to add context when I can to your already rich verdure.
Some of the most beautiful passages in the English language were translated from 19th century Russian. The words below were translated by Constance Garnett from Gogol’s story “The Fair at Sorochintsy” (from Evenings Near the Village of Dikanka). The painting made me think of it.
“How intoxicating, how magnificent is a summer day in Little Russia. How luxuriantly warm the hours when midday glitters in stillness and sultry heat and the blue fathomless ocean covering the plain like a dome seems to be slumbering, bathed in languor, clasping the fair earth and holding it close in its ethereal embrace! Upon it, not a cloud; in the plain, not a sound. Everything might be dead; only in the heavenly depths a lark is trilling, and from the airy heights the silvery notes drop down upon adoring earth, and from time to time the cry of a gull or the ringing note of a quail sounds in the steppe.”
Ah yes, Constance Garnett, I remember the name well from my Russian lit class at university back in the day. I don’t know that Gogol story, but it’s a beautiful passage. In the heavenly depths a lark is trilling. Thanks for sharing, Edward, and I am very glad my poem could make that connection for you.