Capturing goodness, truth, or beauty in art is to be prized when we encounter it. Sometimes I experience these things through music or poetry, but most powerfully when a gemstone of a poem is perfectly carved into a jewel by a master composer. The poem in today’s post is A Boy and a Girl, written by Octavio Paz, 1914-1998, translated by Muriel Rukeyser, 1913-1980, and set to music by Eric Whitacre. It is perhaps fitting that this piece follows my story of how a relationship lasting decades can shape lives.
https://anngauger.substack.com/p/hawaii-finding-true-love
I invite you to savor the poem and the music as exquisitely performed by the a capella ensemble Voces8. If I may, I suggest taking a few breaths and slowing your pulse, opening your mind, then reading the text of the poem, and hitting play. Use ear phones if possible for the best possible sound quality.
Let me know if this affects you as it did me.
Stretched out on the grass, a boy and a girl. Savoring their oranges, giving their kisses like waves exchanging foam. Stretched out on the beach, a boy and a girl. Savoring their limes, giving their kisses like clouds exchanging foam. Stretched out underground, a boy and a girl. Saying nothing, never kissing, giving silence for silence.