This photograph was taken a little over two years ago while on retreat with other members of my church at splendid Emery House Retreat Center in Newbury, Massachusetts. Seeing this photo of thirsty bees gathered on the rim of a granite bird bath reminded me of our quiet but deeply felt thirst for growing closer to God during our time there.
THE LAKE ISLE OF INNISFREEI will arise and go now, and go to Innisfree,
And a small cabin build there, of clay and wattles made;
Nine bean rows will I have there, a hive for the honeybee,
And live alone in the bee-loud glade.
And I shall have some peace there, for peace comes dropping slow,
Dropping from the veils of the morning to where the cricket sings;
There midnight's all a-glimmer, and noon a purple glow,
And evening full of the linnet's wings.
I will arise and go now, for always night and day
I hear lake water lapping with low sounds by the shore;
While I stand on the roadway, or on the pavements gray,
I hear it in the deep heart's core.
Written by William Butler Yeats in 1892 and sung by Judy Collins on her album "Judy Collins".
The main SSJE monastery in Cambridge is in the midst of a major renovation so most of the brothers are living at Emery House and it's currently closed to the public. However, once it's completed, if you're ever in Newbury, stop by the Retreat House for the noon day service and a meal that you won't soon forget.This time last year I was blogging about a joint venture.
26 comments:
VERY cool bee picture. I love seeing them other than on a flower. I'm about to post a 180 degree. Take a lookee.
BL, I like the way the make their own little "wake" in the water.
Wonderful images -- photo and words.
1. Excellent photo, wondrous. I never think of bees drinking. The image shakes up you perception.
2. I love Yates. I studied this poem in high school and I still remember it.
Beautiful! They look so peaceful - the surroundings must do it for the bees as well as the people.
Really ncredible photo, P. - esp. for it's crispness. It's perfect in B&W.
I think I started following your blog just before you went on the retreat - I still have a recollection of some of those images.
The Lake Isle is in Sligo - I lived with my family on Inisfree Upper, Co. Donegal for twelve years.
Wonderful analogy.. and pictures of the thirsty bee's!
A magical macro in mono - I enjoyed it very much.
I love the pic of the bees! And the poem speaks to me:)
i am familiar with this poem. The bee pic is awesome.
I have never seen bees drinking water ... I guess I thought they drunk honey!! Lovey to have a poem included ... makes me nostalgic for doing that again ... mmmm maybe next year but only if I can figure a way to make blogging to take less time.
A lovely photograph and a well-chosen quotation.
Wow, this is fabulous.
Beautiful bee picture, and the poem is fantastic..I like William Butler Yeats poetry, but didn't hear it in the song yet..
These are very fine b&ws.
Well, I'll bee darned!
A lovely photo, Paula...and it works very well in b&w. Impressive, too, is its sharpness! The bees really stand out.
Glad that you had a good experience in Newbury.
Have a wonderful week!
Lovely photo of bees. I have been to the monastary in Cambridge for Christmas service in 2007.
One unique photo and the poem is brilliant. Closer to God indeed!
Yeats is a continuing inspiration. This poem contains some of the loveliest images ever conjured by man.
Great closeup of these bees.
We are not supposed to love wasps!!!
Never thought about bees being thirsty, but I see that they do drink!
Excellent shot.
this one is great...very artistic
Never thought of bees in b & w--nice!
I think that poem has hooked a lot of people on Yeats. It's still one of my favorites.
Makes me want to go to Innisfree and see the bee-loud glades.
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