Sara Teasdale once described herself as, "a flower in a toiling world".
She was born in 1884 in Missouri. All her life she was sickly so she rarely interacted with people her own age. Forced to amuse herself, she wrote stories and poems to comfort her in her own lonely world.
She eventually married Ernst Filsinger in 1914 and even though she loved him deeply they divorced in 1929. She lived the rest of her life only for her poetry. In 1933, she caught chronic pneumonia and it weakened her not only in body but also in mind and spirit. No longer able to see the beauty in simple things, she committed suicide at age 48.
My absolute favorite poem by her is "I Am Not Yours". I have read that she had a friend that was in love with her before she was married, but she could never bring herself to return his affection. When you read the poem you can feel her longing to love this dear friend but is unable to.
Also, Z. Randall Stroope (one of my absolute favorite chorale composers) wrote the most beautiful music, using this poem as lyrics.
Also, Z. Randall Stroope (one of my absolute favorite chorale composers) wrote the most beautiful music, using this poem as lyrics.
I am not yours, not lost in you,
Not lost, although I long to be
Lost as a candle lit at noon,
Lost as a snowflake in the sea.
You loved me and I find you still
A spirit beautiful and bright,
Yet I am I who long to be
Lost as a light is lost in light.
Oh plunge me deep in love -- put out
My senses, leave me deaf and blind,
Swept by the tempest of your love,
A taper in the rushing wind.
Tee-
ReplyDeleteLOVE this song, ever since you introduced me to it. Stroope is one of my favorites as well. This is one of those songs you crank up and sing as loud as you can. I loved being a soprano when we sang Stroope. :)