.
To Catch The Wind
after Tennessee Williams “We Have
Not Long To Love”
I want to catch the wind
__this windy day,
as all encompassing
__it comes my way.
It blows beyond me to
__a hill? a tree?
then up into the sky
__away from me.
Though there’s another wind
__that’s come and passed,
a memory adrift
__a shadow cast
that comes forth one more time.
__It has been caught
and then again becomes
__a fleeting thought.
I’m putting it to words,
__a kind of rhyme.
I want to catch the wind,
__but wind is time.
.
.
Lucia Haase has several books of poetry published and was recently included in a poetry anthology titled Symphonies of the Wild Hearted available on Amazon.com. She also recently had poetry accepted by several publications including Haight Ashbury Literary Journal, The Long Islander, Nostalgia Press, The Raven’s Perch, and POEM publication. She lives in Spring Valley, Illinois.
This is pretty neat to say the least. Here are some things I really love about this poem. First, craft is evident. The shorter the line, the higher the wire, I like to say. They’re hard to work in, and this poem and often result in a kind of tightness, of pressure. This poem moves through its subject in a relaxed way that invites the reader to slow down. A very good thing. Overall, the meter’s very tight and lends a flow which emphasizes the flow of the wind. The transition to memory is nicely handled, and the lingering ending — the wind/thoughts heading off we know not where is a very fine final touch.
Looking forward to more!
Hi Daniel,
Thank you so much! The meter was inspired by Tennessee William’s
beautiful poem ‘We Have Not Long To Love.’ I must admit I was not
too familiar with Tennessee William’s poetry, but I am now!
Lucia
This reminds me of the song sung by Bob Dylan, “Catch the Wind:”
“For standin’ in your heart
Is where I want to be
And long to be
Ah, but I may as well try and catch the wind.”
Your beautiful poem should be set to music.
Sorry Roy, but “Catch the Wind” was written and sung by Donovan.
Hi David,
I remember the song but I wasn’t sure either who
originally sang it. Thanks for clarifying that!
Lucia
I prefer the version by Bob Dylan. You can check it out. In fact, there are comparisons of the two on the internet. I know Donovan wrote the song and it was on his debut album in 1965. Donovan has been called “the British Dylan.”
Here is the Dylan version:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ISTseXnrY14
Roy, the version which you present sounds more like Donovan than Dylan and is AI generated. I know both singers well. The real Dylan never covered “Catch the Wind.” You are right though about Donovan often being referred to as the “British Dylan.”
Hi Roy,
Oh I remember the song ‘Catch the Wind’ now that you mention it!
I’ll have to look that up on utube to listen to the words.
Thanks!
Lucia
A rhythmically balanced song that moves into thought with so much openness it could be called an “air”! Very nice, Lucia. And of course tempo is important in music, which expands the meaning of your surprise final gust of “time.” That “time” is the reprise of “one more time” earlier in the song, which itself implies a prior, unmentioned time. This is beautiful wordplay in a piece that is just as tantalizingly brief as it should be. In performance repetition would be desirable. I’d suggest all five stanzas sung, then the last two repeated. That’s about the proportion in a short work by Renaissance composer William Byrd I’m singing this season. The repetition is unexpected, and would add another element of surprise to your poem, Lucia, while emphasizing the original surprising statement that “wind is time.”
I’m surprised to find no melody associated with the Tennessee Williams poem. Hope you can find or compose one that suits yours.
Thank you so much Margaret! Your critique is so much appreciated!
Lucia
“I want to catch the wind, but wind is time.” As an older person, I feel here that the wind is life which I should pursue before my time runs out. Is this the message? Thank you for a lovely poem.
Hello Phil,
Yes, I was thinking of the present time, and the past and future also. Thank you!
Lucia
since we measure time by the vibrations of the cesium atom,
time is movement, wind is movement,
thereby you are correct is stating that wind is time,
such a lovely figure of speech!!!
Hi Linda,
Thank you! So much appreciate your input!
Lucia
This poem gently but persistently drew me down into a deep well where the reader’s sensibilities and the words on the page intermingled in the cool artesian water there. It hit the spot, so I thank you.
Thank you! So much appreciated!
I love this poem for its musicality, its pureness and simplicity, and its depth of meaning in a message that has me wanting to catch the wind too. Oh, how quickly time passes and how soon glorious moments are distant memories. This poem makes the gift of life and love very special to me indeed. Lucia, thank you.
My feelings also Susan. Thank you very much!
This came to me as a poem on impermanence. The wind is time, and time is the culmination of life events. Each event can be caught only once (i.e., when it occurs); after that, it becomes a memory and then a fleeting thought. Therefore, the poet says she cannot catch the wind, as wind is time. This is my interpretation, however. I like everything about the poem: the form, the musicality, and the conciseness. Thank you for this piece, Lucia.
Thanks Shamik! So much appreciated!
Lucia
Lucia, “Catch the Wind” was the very first song that I learned on the guitar and it was definitely by DONOVAN. He went on to a great career in music with gems such as “Jennifer Juniper,” “ Mellow Yellow,” and many more. I don’t know why they referred to him as the English Dylan as there is no comparison. Your delightful poem wafted over me on a windy day today. Shame that the accompanying rain had to spoil things.
Hi Jeff,
I still remember the words to ‘Mellow Yellow.’ I looked up ‘Catch the Wind’ by Donovan. Once I started listening to it, I remembered it! Music and the words of songs certainly stand the test of time!
Thank you!
Lucia