I think you will know this poem.

That shouldn’t make it any less new or remarkable.

For me, it deepens each time I read it or say it aloud.

It was sent to me on the road by a radiant ex-student.

Radiant is not a word I use lightly.

I carried the poem in my heart and it carried me on its words.

 

Today has been a day when I have felt carried – by friends, family, interviewers and publicists. By love…

And I am grateful.

But e.e. cummings says it best…

 

i carry your heart with me(i carry it in

my heart)i am never without it(anywhere

i go you go,my dear; and whatever is done

by only me is your doing,my darling)

i fear

no fate(for you are my fate,my sweet)i want

no world(for beautiful you are my world,my true)

and it’s you are whatever a moon has always meant

and whatever a sun will always sing is you

here is the deepest secret nobody knows

(here is the root of the root and the bud of the bud

and the sky of the sky of a tree called life;which grows

higher than the soul can hope or mind can hide)

and this is the wonder that’s keeping the stars apart

 

i carry your heart(i carry it in my heart)

 

Yes I do.

Thank you Geri. x

 

A housekeeping PS…

I loved my interviews today. Surprised by joy. And tears.

And if you want to see the evolving gallery of my book’s new friends, click on the Facebook icon on the top right. Even if you are not a Facebooker, I’m told you can see. x

4 thoughts on “I carry you/you carry me

  1. This is a wonderful book. I travelled with Ailsa as I read and despite the pain, the cold, the struggle, I could hardly wait for the next chapter. It surprised me….it was not what I expected as I’d imagined it to be more about the sins than the physical journey. But I love a good adventure and I was so delighted that that’s what it was and that the philosophical moments were strong, subtle and rang very true to me. I was deeply touched and full of admiration for the courage and resilience demonstrated by the author. I never felt she whinged….just told us what was going on…so I was deeply moved. I knew it would be beautifully written…I’ve read Ailsa’s blogs, so that was no surprise. I think what most surprised me was the intensity of my feelings during and after the read. This is a book I will read again.

    1. This is a comment that I might read again! Thank you so much. It means more than I can say to know that the book touched you, and that it found a way into your library. Spaces on our shelves are precious, and SINNING ACROSS SPAIN will never take that nook for granted. Thanks for such generous feedback. xxx

  2. Thanks Ailsa for sharing you journey with us. My friend who lives on Norfolk Island suggested I would love it and eventually I was able to track it down. I’m so glad I did! I loved your words, your bravery in opening yourself to us, the images you evoked so vividly and your obvious fondness of the people you met along the way. I learned much about myself as I read your thoughts and reflections. Then, at the end, I discovered names of people with whom I work at “Neighbours”. It truly is a small world!

    1. Hello Rosey,
      How amazing that Sinning should come to you from Norfolk Island! How incredible that it should have made its way there. I am constantly astonished. And you work on Neighbours? I did too for a time. Good people. Very good people. Thanks for your beautiful comments and for tracking me down to tell me your response. So kind of you. Buen camino, vecino!!

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