Holly, House of Heart – Forest Song

Posted byRebecca BuddPosted inHolly Rene Hunter, LadyBudd, Nature, Poetry, Sunday Evening Reflection, TreesTags:, , , ,

With summer in the ascendency, I have gone back to the early days of spring when I went for a nature walk with my notebook filled with words of poetry ready to be recited. My friend and poet, Holly from House of Heart, graciously gave permission for me to record my recitation of Forest Song.

With the river winding its way to the ocean and the leaves emerging from hibernation, it was the perfect setting for voicing the words aloud to the listening trees. What I did not expect was that there would be other early morning walkers along the pathway that would seem to linger to hear the words of poetry.

I should not have been surprised, for as Holly writes “the hunger for romance appears alive and well and I think that it will remain so for those who enjoy an escape into beauty, for owners of broken hearts on the mend and the lost longing for renewal, or simply the fundamentally sentimental.”

Wherever you are, I invite you to pause and recite these words of poetry with me.

I hear the chatter of anxious birds. The wind and rain have shredded their nests. A sudden flight of wings fill wispy petals of clouds passing over.

Beneath the tall pines I hear creaking branches stretch like old bones.

Needing to be heard, the brittle crunch of leaves beneath my feet make their sound.

A White tail deer watches from a grassy knoll, his majestic antlers in silhouette against the splintered rays of sunset. My breath is but a whisper in this sacred place that offers everything and asks for nothing.

 
Forest Song by Holly from House of Heart. Posted on November 29, 2019

Special thanks to Resa for introducing me to Holly, from House of Heart.

Published by Rebecca Budd

Blogger, Visual Storyteller, Podcaster, Traveler and Life-long Learner

61 thoughts on “Holly, House of Heart – Forest Song”

    1. I am delighted that you enjoyed the recitation, Dave. I thought Don and I were alone on the walk but all of a sudden, in the middle of the recitation, I realized that people had stopped by to listen. We took a second “take” after we realized that someone had walked behind me and appeared in the video. YIKES! Poetry draws people like a magnet. It really is fun to recite poetry in nature. I miss those cool days of spring, just like I will miss the heat of summer when the winds comes in November. Many thanks for your comments.

      Liked by 5 people

  2. Rebecca, I am so honored and delighted to be featured at your blog today. Your recital of Forest Song is beautiful. Your voice is that of a songbird! Thank you for your generosity and kindness, I am so fortunate to have met you, you are truly lovely and I feel very fortunate. Thank you again my dear friend.

    Liked by 7 people

    1. I am beyond excited that you have given me permission to recite your poetry, Holly. Thank you for your kind comments about my voice. Your words were the music that breathed life into the moment. “Brittle crunch of leaves” “splintered rays of sunset.” “Creaking branches” There is a transmission of thought and images that occurs between the reader and poet. I believe that poetry allows us to experience a deeper sense of awareness of who we are and how we relate to the world around us. Many hugs coming along with my gratitude for being a poet.

      Liked by 6 people

    1. I am so glad that you joined me in nature, Marina. I remember the first time I read this poem back in 2019. The tile captured my attention – Forest Song. That forest have a song! Yes!!! And that they sing to the world is a testament to our connection to forests – our very existence depends upon their songs. Sending many hugs across the oceans.

      Liked by 2 people

  5. She’s amazing. And you, my dear friend,…well, the world stopped as I just sat there and listened to you read the words. Lovely post AND with the magic of the equally amazing Resa. xxxxxxxx

    Liked by 3 people

    1. Resa is a brilliant community builder, Shey. I met you through AGMs – and what an adventure we’ve been on ever sense. There is magic in poetry and when I read the words out loud I feel like I’m transported to another world where words form into art, if that makes any sense. They became real and reach out over space and time in rhythm with the ancients songs that have come before.

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  7. You have a lovely way of reciting these evocative words, Rebecca. So strange to see the frosty images of early spring while outside my window it’s so lush and green.

    Liked by 3 people

    1. With our heat wave continuing (but a little milder) I have been going back to my photos of winter. We had one day of snow in 2021 so everyone with a cell phone was taking photos that day to commemorate the time when we joined the rest of Canada in winter. I started reciting poetry to an empty room and now I find that nature is a wonderful and welcoming audience. I am thrilled that Holly gave me permission to record and share her poetry. Sending many hugs!! You

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  8. Hi Rebecca, you have recited this gorgeous poem in a most beautiful setting. Your comments about people stopping to listen do not surprise me. People are generally very curious. Thank you to Holly for allowing you to read and share her splendid poem.

    Liked by 4 people

    1. You would understand completely what it is like to recite poetry out loud (I love your Youtube channel) Words have a special sound when voiced – each syllable adds drama to the message. I become more involved in the poem and feel that I have walked with the poet.

      Liked by 4 people

      1. Hi Rebecca, I find reading poetry out loud to be very inspiring. I think poetry is meant to be read that way and it takes on a greater meaning. A few of the bloggers are starting to read their own poetry on YT channels and I enjoy that very much.

        Liked by 2 people

      2. I am so glad to hear this exciting news, Robbie. When a poet reads their own poetry they nuance the words with their memories of creating the poem. I agree wholeheartedly with you – poetry is meant to be voiced. And now with the technology, readings will be more accessible.

        Liked by 2 people

  9. This poem is beyond beautiful, and this reading is beyond delightful! I believe the only word that resonates for this reading is ‘enchanting’. Pure enchantment, and that is all…

    Liked by 3 people

    1. Linda – thank you for your heartwarming comments. I had goosebumps reading Forest Song in nature. What a joy it was to hear the words go into the spring air and be carried across the river that leads to the ocean.

      Liked by 3 people

    1. In our heat wave (which is a little cooler than the end of June) I have been looking back at photos from winter and spring to keep me cool. I am delighted that you enjoyed the recitation. Holly is a marvelous poet and I am grateful for her generous spirit in allowing me to recite her poetry.

      Liked by 2 people

  11. I would love to have been with you as you strolled this lovely area, that you took my poetry along is a tremendous honor. You are a ray of sunshine dear Rebecca, thank you for connecting with me. Your energy is exhilarating. I’m wishing you many amazing adventures ahead and I hope you will take us along with you.

    Liked by 3 people

  12. I have been a fan of Holly’s magical way with words for a long time. She is a major talent. You recited her poem beautifully Rebecca, doing it full justice. Together you cast a spell that caught the slow awakening of spring pefectly.

    Liked by 4 people

    1. Oh Paul, you have a wonderful way of turning a phrase. I owe a debt of gratitude to poets, writers, artists, musicians. They tell our story and challenge, encourage, ignite and console us with words that have been magically collected into a narrative. Thank you for joining me in the forest.

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  13. I adore Holly’s poetry!
    I had thought poetry a dead writing art, until I started blogging. Suddenly, I heard a renaissance of verse burst forth.
    There is a lot of talent out here in blog world, but no poet has captured my heart like Holly.
    Her metaphor filled verses pull words into visions and emotions.
    Holly plays heartstrings. My love plays guitar strings.
    Both work their magic. I am fortunate.
    Rebecca, you recitation was lovely. You have a great voice for reading, and a feel for reciting poetry.
    I’ve listened to many of your readings, but never have I heard so much reverence in your voice…. a wistful longing to be inside the vision of the poem.
    So you read it in a forest setting. Yes, I heard the wind and the water, two of nature’s musicians in the background.
    This is a wonderful magic post! Rebecca, thank you for mentioning me. I am honoured!
    Much love and many hugs to both of you! xoxoxoxoxo

    Liked by 4 people

    1. Serendipity visits us often, Resa! Thank you for introducing me to Holly, House of Heart. Isn’t that title perfect for a space that holds the words of poetry? I was excited to find Holly’s book on line, which I have marked for reading. https://www.bookrix.com/book.html?bookID=heartafire_1358121327.2948970795#0,468,83502
      In the introduction, Holly writes: “My words are born of joy or sadness, love and passion. Incidents of life that remain with their owner forever.”

      I had goosebumps reading Forest Song and felt that the trees recognized the words as belonging to their ancient songs. Much love and many many hugs coming your way!

      Liked by 2 people

      1. You did great Rebecca! I’m having some odd WP issues. Hopefully I will get it sorted, soon.
        I read that book. Don’t read it all at once…. read a poem a day!
        HUGS!!!!

        Liked by 1 person

      2. An excellent idea!! I will be taking to the nature walks – come join me and we will read Holly’s poems out loud to an audience of trees, ducks and those marvelous crows. Although I do believe the crows will join us. Caw Caw Caw!

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  14. Fabulous poem and lovely recitation, Rebecca, and most happy that Resa was influenced to realize that poetry is absolutely and definitely far from dead. If anything poetry is more alive than ever. I alone am about to publish my 18th book of said poetry, which is but a drop in the world bucket of poetic reflections, in comparison to the availability of beautiful poems world wide. Resa need but go to any book store or on line for a peek, to see that poetry is very much alive and available!

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    1. Poetry has been a constant since ancient times and it continues to evolve. I have been reading poetry from public domain as well as poetry from today. There is a vast difference which speaks to how poetry reflects a society. I think of Plato’s thought that “Poetry is nearer to vital truth than history, to W. H. Auden’s “A Poet is, before anything else, a person who is passionately in love with language” to Mary Oliver’s “I don’t want to end up simply having visited this world.” Poetry is an experiential force. While I appreciate that some people like to dissect poetry, I believe that readers want to fall in love with the words, and fall in life with their lives.

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  16. This is a delightful poem, and so beautiful when it is read out loud. I read it elsewhere yesterday and enjoyed it very much. But, to hear it read today brought new meaning and joy. I enjoyed your voice interpretation! It is good to read it now in our current days, where lots of warm days and heat are with us. Thank you for Holly’s gift of poetry and for the privilege of hearing you read it. I am sure if we search, we can find more treasures written by Holly.

    Liked by 3 people

    1. Dear Frances – I knew that you would enjoy this poem and recognize where I was standing by the river close to our favourite Park & Tilford Gardens. Holly has an extraordinary gift and I am delighted that you enjoyed the recitation.

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  17. It is wonderful to enjoy the beauty of nature all through the year – I especially liked the concept that it “asks for nothing”… Amazing!

    Liked by 2 people

    1. When I read “asks for nothing” I felt a profound sense of gratitude for living in a world that offered so much to humanity! Thank you so much for joining me on a path by a river reaching out to the ocean.

      Liked by 2 people

  21. Holly’s poetry is always so sensory and rich in imagery. It sweeps me away, Rebecca. It was wonderful to find her Forest Song here and listen to you read. A perfect spring setting (and lovely background music from Don).

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Diana – you have a wonderful way of describing Holly’s poetry. I agree – so sensory and rich in imagery. “Creaking branches stretch like old bones.” When I read this line I felt like stretching out my arms. And then there was “splintered rays of sunset.” I had never considered “splinter” connected to sunset and yet it was the perfect imagery. Thank you for listening in and coming back in time with me to a cooler season of the year.

      Liked by 2 people

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