Thursday, October 18, 2012

Poetry for Handspinners and Weavers



Song for the Spinning Wheel by William Wordsworth (1770–1850)


SWIFTLY turn the murmuring wheel!
Night has brought the welcome hour,
When the weary fingers feel
Help, as if from faery power;
Dewy night o’ershades the ground;
Turn the swift wheel round and round!

Now, beneath the starry sky,
Couch the widely-scattered sheep;—
Ply the pleasant labor, ply!
For the spindle, while they sleep,
Runs with speed more smooth and fine,
Gathering up a trustier line.

Short-lived likings may be bred
By a glance from fickle eyes;
But true love is like the thread
Which the kindly wool supplies,
When the flocks are all at rest
Sleeping on the mountain’s breast.









Tewa: Song of the Sky Loom    

Oh our Mother the Earth oh our Father the Sky
Your children are we
      with tired backs we bring you the gifts you love

So weave for us a garment of brightness

May the warp be the white light of the morning
May the weft be the red light of evening
May the fringes be the falling rain
May the border be the standing rainbow

Weave for us this bright garment
that we may walk where birds sing
      where grass is green

Oh our Mother the Earth oh our Father the Sky





























 



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