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Open Poetry #48
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I want to count sheep
| Open Poetry #48 |
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I want to count sheep |
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OwlSA Member Rara Avis
since 2005-11-07
Posts 9347Durban, South Africa 
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I WANT TO COUNT SHEEP 4 November 2012 I have always loved the phrase, “counting sheep” mostly because I love sheep, but also because the idea tickles my silly sense of humour and I love all the depictions I have seen of it over the years and would love to, love to, love to count sheep, but mostly I am too tired to remember when I get into bed, or I forget, and when I don’t and I actually stay awake long enough to start, I don’t get very far, probably not beyond two or three of the cuddly darlings. Sadly, sheep don’t seem to want to be counted by me. Owl |
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| © Copyright 2012 Diana van den Berg - All Rights Reserved | |||
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secondhanddreampoet Member Ascendant
since 2006-11-07
Posts 6394a 'Universalist' ! |
cute (and pleasantly sheep-ish)! |
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2islander2 Member Ascendant
since 2008-03-12
Posts 6825by the sea |
hello diana, i am happy that poets have some ideas in common, the sheep counting is one of my inspiration too, thanks for the remarkable write, it is both sensitive and meaningful, enjoyed a lot, yann if you don't mind i can send you my sheep counting poem (for kids and fun) have a sweet day (and night) |
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OwlSA Member Rara Avis
since 2005-11-07
Posts 9347Durban, South Africa |
Giggles, Bruce, and thanks! Thank you, Yann, for your lovely, sensitive, kind words. I would absolutely love you to send me your counting sheep poem! Thank you! I have had a particularly lovely day and evening, thank you.  Owl |
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Huan Yi Member Ascendant
since 2004-10-12
Posts 6688Waukegan |
. Better Than Counting Sheep On a night when sleep eludes you, I have, At last, found the formula. Try to summon All those ever known who are dead, and soon It will seem they are there in your room, not chairs enough To go around, or standing space even, the hall Chock full, and some faces thrust to the panes to peer. Then somehow the house, like a wink, isn’t there, But a field full of folk, and some, Those near, touch your sleeve so sadly and slow, and all Want something of you, though you don’t know what—for even In distance and dimness the hands are out- Stretched to glow faintly Like fox-fire in marshland where deadfall Sump-rots, though a few trunks uneasily stand. Meanwhile, in the grieving susurrus, though wordless Indeed, you know, at last, what they want. Each, Male or female, young or age-gnawed, beloved or not— Each wants to know do you remember a name. And you can’t now—not even your mother’s—and your heart Howls with the loneliness of a wolf in The depth of a snow-throttled forest when the full moon Makes coniferous shadows like ink. Then you are alone, And your name strangely gone as you plunge in ink-shadow or snowdrift. And the shadows are dreams—but of what? And the snowdrift, sleep. Robert Penn Warren . |
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jwesley Member Rara Avis
since 2000-04-30
Posts 7563Spring, Texas |
My experience with counting sheep wasn't very good, so I gave it up. The dog-gone things keep tripping on the fence, messing me up. Loved this... j. |
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OwlSA Member Rara Avis
since 2005-11-07
Posts 9347Durban, South Africa |
John, that is dream-quiver exquisite! I (blush, blush) have never heard of Robert Penn Warren, but will most certainly look up more of his poetry on the Internet. Thank you! Jimmy, shame on you (lol), sheep ain't things! I'm glad you gave it up because I hate to think of them hurting themselves and their dignity and getting a fright when they trip on the fence, the poor sweethearts, lol. Glad you enjoyed my poem. Owl |
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OwlSA Member Rara Avis
since 2005-11-07
Posts 9347Durban, South Africa |
Thank you for your counting sheep poem, Yann! It is gorgeous and the drawing with it is delightful! I LOVE it! It is such a pity that so very much would be lost in a translation into English with all that delightful rhyme play. However, don't you think that it is worth a try to translate? Those who read French will see it at its beautiful best and those who don't can at least see the delightful picture and get the meaning - and they would be able to see the rhyme in the French version. I will answer your email probably tomorrow as, amongst other deadlines, I have a lot to do to prepare for a meeting tonight. Owl |
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2islander2 Member Ascendant
since 2008-03-12
Posts 6825by the sea |
merci diana, ton commentaire me fait extremement plaisir, je vais essayé de traduire même si ces poemes en français sont tres difficiles car ce sont des jeux d mots, de rimes où le sens parfois est assez abstrait, bonne journée yann |
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OwlSA Member Rara Avis
since 2005-11-07
Posts 9347Durban, South Africa |
Merci, Yann, j’en suis très heureuse. Après que tu as fait la traduction, est-ce que je peux l’envoyer à une amie, avec la version française et l’image s’il te plaît? J’avais eu besoin de la telephoner ce matin au sujet de ce soir, et je l’ai dit de tous les trois et elle veut tellement les voir. Elle ne connaît pas le français, mais je sais bien qu’elle les aimera autant que moi! Je voudrais voir autant que possible des autres aussi, s'il te plaît. Owl |
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2islander2 Member Ascendant
since 2008-03-12
Posts 6825by the sea |
merci diana, je vais m'en occuper, have a nice day, yann |
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OwlSA Member Rara Avis
since 2005-11-07
Posts 9347Durban, South Africa |
Merci, Yann. Owl |
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soul drifter Senior Member
since 2004-09-08
Posts 711Colorado |
Nice! I forget to count sheep...I'm just too tired to. |
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OwlSA Member Rara Avis
since 2005-11-07
Posts 9347Durban, South Africa |
Thank you, soul drifter. Owl |
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luminosity Senior Member
since 2005-11-18
Posts 813 |
lolol guess they don't want to be counted by me either......loved this |
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OwlSA Member Rara Avis
since 2005-11-07
Posts 9347Durban, South Africa |
Luminosity, I am glad you have no trouble sleeping, but sad that sheep don't want to be counted by you either, lol. Owl |
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Pilgrimage Member Elite
since 2001-12-04
Posts 3945Texas, USA |
Oddly enough, it never occurred to me to actually try to visualize sheep to try to sleep. It was just an expression to me. I like the poem, though--I expect sheep have a lot more to do than parade around to be counted. Nan (Pilgrim variety) |
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OwlSA Member Rara Avis
since 2005-11-07
Posts 9347Durban, South Africa |
Thank you, Nan. Lol, you are SO right! That's the answer! I was a little hurt that they didn't seem to want to be counted by me and I really couldn't understand it - but now I see - they allow it as a special favour in their busy lives for those who NEED to count them. They aren't ignoring me - they understand that I fall asleep without my counting them. They understand that I love them, but don't need to count them, nor do they need to be counted by me - just by their shepherds and those who rely on them - and that gives them the time to do what wise, busy sheeples, who have their priorities right, do, including meditating and bringing calm and peace to the world who contemplate them. Happy, satisfied giggles! Owl |
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Pilgrimage Member Elite
since 2001-12-04
Posts 3945Texas, USA |
Have you watched the little ones playing in the fields? They are SO CUTE--I think there is some kind of requirement that babies make even sour old people like me grin like hyenas. Nan (Pilgrim variety) |
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OwlSA Member Rara Avis
since 2005-11-07
Posts 9347Durban, South Africa |
Yes, aren't they just precious little bubbly cuddle-bundles! Giggles at the "requirement"! You can't be very sour with a sense of humour like yours, nor if you grin like hyenas - them being another favourite of mine as hyenas are so misconstrued by so many who don't understand them and their very important careers! Owl |
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Spiros Zafiris Senior Member
since 2002-10-20
Posts 982Canada |
..i too enjoyed much..sp |
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OwlSA Member Rara Avis
since 2005-11-07
Posts 9347Durban, South Africa |
Glad you did, Spiros. Owl |
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