In winter I get up at night
And dress by yellow candle-light.
In summer quite the other way,
I have to go to bed by day.
I have to go to bed and see
The birds still hopping on the tree,
Or hear the grown-up people's feet
Still going past me in the street.
And does it not seem hard to you,
When all the sky is clear and blue,
And I should like so much to play,
To have to go to bed by day?
"Rest is not idleness, and to lie sometimes on the grass under the trees on a summer’s day, listening to the murmur of water, or watching the clouds float across the sky, is by no means a waste of time.” (-John Lubbock)




9 comments:
Did you have to go to bed before it was dark when you were a kid? I did. And to this day I stay up until at least midnight, just because I can. That's pathetic, isn't it.......a sleep starved woman in her 70s, exerting her independence.
Oh, this orange Zinnia is so ethereal! Incredibly beautiful watercolor.
I once went to Schloss Hof near Vienna on a hot summer day, there were orange zinnia in the gardens and fabric panels with painted ones in the castle. Your paiting reminds me of the mood of that day.
This is a gorgeous painting. Well done. I couldnt read what you wrote under Zinnias tho. Good post today.
Jane, yes, I have memories of feeling sad as a child when I had to go to bed when it was still light out. I, too am a night-owl--Joe and I are always up very late, but I never thought of that as my rebellion against those early nights of my youth! Hmmmmm...
Merisi, that sounds beautiful! You created a mood for me.
Cris, it wasn't anything important--just journal notes about planting the zinnias!
This lovely little poem was in one of my childhood books, Sue! Ah, sweet memories. Beautiful zinnia and vase!!!
I love this orange zinnia watercolor...one of my faves of yours...! ! !
but then I have many...
Oui, I think the fact I stay up late is directly related to the fact my dear mother made me go to bed early, even in the summmer...
Love the poem and naturally your cheerful blog each day...merci beaucoup...
Thank you, Willow and Therese-Marie! Very kind of you.
A friend of mine sent me a link to your blog, thinking I would enjoy it. I've been having a wonderful time reading it. I love your wonderful touch with watercolors - a medium which I have never been able to get along with. :-)
But I especially loved this post, not only because the zinnia is lovely, but because it brought me back so many memories of my own childhood, and my mother who used to love to read RL Stevenson poems to us at bedtime.
Debbie
http://scall0way.blogspot.com/
Thank you so very much, scalloway! Aren't you sweet to say such nice things. I thought the poem was touching--childlike and it did make me remember feeling the same way as a child. Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for telling me!
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