This poem is called
"The Call"
by Edgar A. Guest
1881 to 1959
I must get out to the woods again, to the whispering tree and the birds a-wing,
Away from the haunts of pale-faced men, to the spaces wide where strength is king;
I must get out where the skies are blue and the air is clean and the rest is sweet,
Out where there's never a task to do or a goal to reach or a foe to meet.
I must get out on the trails once more that wind through shadowy haunts and cool,
Away from the presence of wall and door, and see myself in a crystal pool;
I must get out with the silent things, where neither laughter nor hate is heard,
Where malice never the humblest stings and no one is hurt by a spoken word.
Oh, I've heard the call of the tall white pine, and heard the call of the running brook;
I'm tired of the tasks which each day are mine, I'm weary of reading a printed book;
I want to get out of the din and strife, the clang and clamor of turning wheel,
And walk for a day where life is life, and the joys are true and the pictures real.
Another lovely poem from someone I am rediscovering. I love his poetry and Gregg got it for me via Kindle. There was an offer and knowing how much I was enjoying Edgar A. Guest's poetry lately, he downloaded it and gifted it to me. It was gladly received.
The above photos were taken in the wide open spaces of the southwest, on a road trip a few years ago. As we get closer to the barn we can see there is a mural of a lady smiling up at the sky. How I wish I could have hopped over that fence to explore further, but we would have been trespassing on someone's land.
I remember taking these photos from the passenger side window as we made our way along, more old photos shared before. I found them while browsing through folders of past holidays, all this while looking at the snow outside. It is very cold and I have become a temporary hermit. I will soon be sharing things around the house, as a dear blogging friend once suggested. A great idea.
All being well weather-wise, we have more company coming this weekend. I am kicking myself out the door to enjoy time with friends and will be back on Monday.
Thanks for stopping by and have a great weekend.
I like the poem and the very unexpected mural.
ReplyDeleteThank you Terra :)
DeleteI love Edgar Guest, and now want one of his books! This poem is a real jewel! What a joyful painting on the barn! And way out in the middle of nowhere. How oddly beautiful. Whoever did this is very talented. We are hermits now too. 5 degrees in the morning, and the WIND!
ReplyDeleteHi Ginny, thank you. I have tried to find out more information about it to no avail. I'm glad you enjoyed this and the poem. The weather is taking a turn again so I guess I will be hermitting again for a while :)
DeleteI love this poem and now I am going to the library to get one of his books. That mural of the lady's face is fabulous. Set you the photo via email Denise
ReplyDeleteI'm glad Margaret, and wonder if you found one of his books. Thank you so much for the photo which I received in my e-mail. I appreciate you doing that. Have a great week :)
DeleteLovely poem - and I do love that smiling mural.
ReplyDeleteThank you EC, it was an extraordinary find.
DeleteGostei do mural, aproveito para desejar um bom fim-de-semana.
ReplyDeleteAndarilhar
Dedais de Francisco e Idalisa
O prazer dos livros
DeleteObrigado, eu também gostaria de lhe desejar uma boa semana :)
I hadn't heard of Edgar Guest before. I think a visit to Amazon is called for. Going back now for another read of the poem.
ReplyDeleteGlad you enjoyed it Valerie and hope you found what you were looking for.
DeleteHello, Denise! I enjoyed the poem and the mural on the barn is beautiful. Happy Friday, enjoy your weekend.
ReplyDeleteHi Eileen, thank you and the same to you :)
DeleteI've always liked Edgar Guest but never read much of his work. This poem could take me very far away.
ReplyDeleteI have been recently rediscovering his poems. I enjoy them very much.
Deleteenjoy your week end, I am taking the week end off, which I rarely do. I find blogging is consuming all of my time. my favorite lines in this poem are these.
ReplyDeleteI must get out with the silent things, where neither laughter nor hate is heard,
Where malice never the humblest stings and no one is hurt by a spoken word.
They are lovely lines aren't they? Enjoy your break. I will be starting to give myself two days over the weekend, so that I can catch up.
DeleteLovely poem, enjoy your weekend!
ReplyDeleteThank you Christine, I hope you had a great weekend :)
DeleteQuite a vivid poem, and beautiful images to accompany it.
ReplyDeleteThank you William, so glad you enjoyed it :)
DeleteI had not heard of him either. What a lovely poem!
ReplyDeleteHi Lois, glad you enjoyed :)
DeleteI need to look this guy up...I so love this.
ReplyDeleteHave you ever read the poem The Spell of the Yukon by Robert W. Service?
Hi Rose, I haven't but I will go on a search now. Thanks for letting me know.
DeleteAwesome poem.
ReplyDeleteSo happy you enjoyed it :)
DeleteWhat a thoughtful gift!
ReplyDeleteAnd what an amazing mural, painted on that barn! That is by an artist! Since you seeeeee what he intended. Amazing!
Yes, enjoy your weekend. And show us around your house. We always love peeks, into the homes, of other bloggers. :-)
✨💖✨💖✨💖✨
It certainly was, I have been enjoying reading it. Glad you enjoyed this post. I have yet to take photos of my house but I have at least one in my head. Sometime soon I hope :)
DeleteHi Denise,
ReplyDeleteWonderful words, a poet I have never heard of.
Also what a beautiful open space in your images,we have nothing anything like that here.
Keep warm and have a wonderful time with your company.
All the best, John
Hi John, I am always amazed at all those wide open spaces I see when we have traveled out west. Glad you enjoyed my post and thank you. All the best to you too :)
DeleteAfter reading this poem and your comments, Denise, I read a little about Edgar Guest and learned that he was known as the People’s Poet and that, like you, he was born in Britain. Also, most of his poems are 14 lines long and address everyday life. I am planning to learn more now. The last photo with the mural was very interesting.
ReplyDeleteThank you Dorothy, so glad you found this interesting enough to look him up. He was a very interesting person.
DeleteI love that mural, and "no malice" resonates with me this Superbowl Sunday. Thanks for such peaceful pics and an even better poem. Hugs...RO
ReplyDeleteHi RO, hope you enjoyed the game and it was the outcome that you wanted :) Hugs D :)
DeleteLove the way the lady in the mural seems to joyfully enjoying the sunny blue skies (easy to do in the Southwest). Stay warm my friend, spring is t too far away.
ReplyDeleteThank you Sallie, thank you. Looks like you are having some nice weather down your way :)
DeleteGoodness, that mural was un-expected, I like it.
ReplyDeleteLoved reading he poem too.
Enjoy your company.
All the best Jan
I was amazed when I realized what it was. Wish I knew more about the artist. Thank you Jan, have a great week :)
DeleteSuch a beautiful poem. I do enjoy his works and I'm sure you will enjoy your gift. How lovely. ♥
ReplyDeleteThank you Martha Ellen, it is a wonderful book full of lovely poetry :)
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