A common man marvels at uncommon things. A wise man marvels at the commonplace. CONFUCIUS

Friday 19 December 2014

In Praise Of Limestone


There is now a third Auden poem at The Hidden Waterfall for comment and discussion . . .

If it form the one landscape that we, the inconstant ones, 
Are consistently homesick for, this is chiefly 
Because it dissolves in water. Mark these rounded slopes 
With their surface fragrance of thyme and, beneath, 
A secret system of caves and conduits; hear the springs 
That spurt out everywhere with a chuckle, 
Each filling a private pool for its fish and carving 
Its own little ravine whose cliffs entertain 
The butterfly and the lizard . . .

WH AUDEN The opening lines of In Praise of Limestone

You can read a good article by Alexander McCall Smith about his love of Auden here.

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