Jessie Cameron Alison: For Him, What Music Sings

In honor of Mother's Day, here is a post for my mother. She and I were just talking about how important it is to take some time to look outside ourselves and notice some of the wonder in this world.

So here is a poem by my mother's grandmother (my great-grandmother), Jessie Cameron Alison ("The Lilac Poet"...see her) that illustrates the point nicely. I'm especially fond of the last line.

I never had the chance to meet my great-grandmother, but doesn't she just look angelic? Like she came straight out of Central Casting!

For Him, What Music Sings

For him whose ear is tuned, what Music sings
About him: hum of bee and bird refrain;
Wind's murmur in the pines, like fluttering wings--
Its whisper through the leaves, or rustling grain;
The rhythm of the waves that lap the shore;
The rushing waterfall; rain's patter-song;
The deep reverberance of Ocean's roar;
The River's melody that flows along...
Rhythm that finds heart-echo, in still hour:
Recurring year and season, night and day;
Rhythm that guides the swaying of a flower,
Or Sun, or Moon, or planets that obey...
And when we pass beyond Earth's outmost bars,
Our ears may catch the singing of the stars!

First published in Northwest Verse, 1959 and in Turquoise Lanterns, 1960.