“The Meeting of the Waters” (a reading/recitation)

On By Michele LeeIn nature, Reading, recitation, Verse, Video
There is not in the wide world a valley so sweet
As that vale in whose bosom the bright waters meet;
Oh! the last rays of feeling and life must depart,
Ere the bloom of that valley shall fade from my heart.

Yet it was not that nature had shed o’er the scene
Her purest of crystal and brightest of green;
‘Twas not her soft magic of streamlet or hill,
Oh! no, — it was something more exquisite still.

‘Twas that friends, the beloved of my bosom, were near,
Who made every dear scene of enchantment more dear,
And who felt how the best charms of nature improve,
When we see them reflected from looks that we love.

Sweet vale of Avoca! how calm could I rest
In thy bosom of shade, with the friends I love best,
Where the storms that we feel in this cold world should cease,
And our hearts, like thy waters, be mingled in peace.
The Meeting of the Waters, by Irish Poet, Thomas Moore

What do you do when you keep flubbing over a few words and the hour is growing late? You tape the poem to your tripod, call it a reading/recitation, and call it a day. 😂 And I still said, “would” instead of “should.” 😒 I should have started memorizing this one before Saint Patrick’s Day! 🍀 woulda, shoulda, coulda…

Poet Thomas Moore was born in Dublin, Ireland on May 28, 1779. He was the oldest child and only son to John Moore, a successful grocer, and Anastasia Codd Moore. His parents, being Catholic, could not vote, hold office, serve on juries, or bear arms, and their children could not attend the finest schools, but his mom instilled in him an “artistic taste and the ambition that gave him the means and the courage to fight against what he called ‘the slave’s yoke’ of his Catholicism” (poetryfoundation).

In 1793 Moore earned recognition after submitting his verses to a Dublin periodical, the Anthologia Hibernica. One year later, he was one of the first Catholics admitted to Trinity College, Dublin. His religion made him ineligible for a scholarship, but his father was able to pay his tuition. He gained a reputation for wit, literature, song, and patriotic fervor. Five years later he earned his B.A. then began studying law at Middle Temple in London. Moore was called “Anacreon Moore” after translating and publishing the poems of Greek lyric poet, Anacreon. He also gained a reputation as a talented singer and songwriter, as well as being a ladies’ man. In 1803 Moore sailed for Norfolk, Virginia, on the British warship Phaeton, eventually touring the eastern U.S. and Canada. He returned to England in 1806 and published Epistles, Odes, and Other Poems.

In 1822, he married Elizabeth “Bessy” Dyke; they had five children who did not survive them. Considered one of the great humanists of the Romantic period, Moore was a prolific writer who authored poetry, satire, and biographies, but it his Irish Melodies that he is best known for. Moore died on February 25, 1852. He is buried in Bromham churchyard within view of his cottage home, in Wiltshire.

I wrote about my Irish heritage in an audio poem titled, “Blood Builds a Bond” – a poem I wrote when I taught British Literature, specifically, Beowulf. It is a boastful poem. I invite you to listen and encourage you to write your own! Thank you for visiting. Be well. 💚 Michele

Reference List: AllPoetry, Poetry Foundation, Encyclopedia.com, Wikipedia

Photos: my images, Lake Pleasant, AZ (blooming saguaro) and my Converse (shared on IG 3/17)

Find more of my photos, reels, and micropoetry on IG ~ @mlsefton

© 2022 MyInspiredLife

94 thoughts on ““The Meeting of the Waters” (a reading/recitation)”

      1. kenhume79

        You’re welcome indeed!! 😁 It sure is Michelle. 👍 I do some spoken word gigs sometimes too. Hadn’t done so for years until last September. Always find writing poetry easier than speaking it in front of people. Though I get a great buzz out of it when I do! 😁😛

        Liked by 1 person

      3. kenhume79

        True! 👍 That’s the beauty of it though! 😁 Poetry allows different individuals with different personalities to express ourselves in different ways.

        Liked by 1 person

  9. It was a delight to hear your wonderful recitation of this great Thomas Moore poem, Michele ~ I’m so glad that you’ve shared it. ✍🏼📣 And, though I don’t understand how it’s possible, you somehow manage to appear more lovely with each reading! ✨ Have a splendid weekend, my friend. 🌞🌹

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Thank you, Phil. Very kind. I was not feeling very glad last night, when I kept tripping over his (beautiful) words. If it wasn’t one, it was another. 😞 Oh well, that is what I get for not giving Moore’s poem the time it needed and deserved. haha You might need glasses. 😆 Thank you, and same to you! 🌞

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

      1. You’re most welcome, Michele. Really, I don’t know how you do it. Yes, I think you’re naturally beautiful. 😉 As for public speaking, however, I find that somewhat challenging, as evidenced by a recent video I posted…I was in front of the camera for 10 seconds, and I had to get the hell out of there! 😆🤪 Thank you, also. 🌞

        Liked by 1 person

      2. Thanks. Blame my parents. 😆 Public speaking takes practice. I had plenty of that in the classroom and in other situations. I am always learning though, never perfecting. Keeps it interesting. I don’t believe I saw your video. Isn’t public speaking the number one fear? If not, it’s up there!

        Liked by 1 person

      3. 😊 Yeah, it’s in a “Ozone Falls” posting from the other day. It was loud, and I sounded like I had a clothes-pin over my nose. 😂 Next time, I’ll mime. Indeed, I seem to recall it’s the number one fear, even greater than death. Seinfeld once said that, as such, people would generally prefer to be inside of a wooden box, rather than standing on one to speak…

        Liked by 1 person

      4. Sounds like a memorable and slightly painful moment. 😆 A guy miming in the woods… that’s not weird at all. 😂 No wooden box for me! I would rather present to a million people. The wooden box mention reminds me of my favorite Bob Newhart clip~

        Liked by 1 person

  12. I think I went to that very vale today, Michele! I will listen to your audio poem later as I’m on the bus, but very interested that you taught Beowulf, as it was one of the poems I studied at university…

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  14. Oh, what a rich poem that I had not read and feel alive in reading! These lines are so lovely and emotional; simple and lush: “As that vale in whose bosom the bright waters meet . . .”

    Thank you for speaking about the poet also, from whence these words sprung!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. I concur about the energy of Moore’s poem. I was deeply moved by it when I first began reading it. Beautiful lines! A bit awkward to memorize, but the imagery is stunning. ✨ Thank you for reading and appreciating the brief bio. Interesting to learn about poets and writers, including those in blog land. ✍🏻😄

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  15. A gorgeous poem, and beautiful recital. The poems language is such a wonderful ode to nature, and the flow is lovely. Thank you for sharing another talented poet with us, Michele. 💖 At some print his year, I will begin to do some spoken word. I’m thinking 100 takes per reading if it’s anything like the videos I do for work. Lol. 😂

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. I think it is too. When I started reading it, Thursday, I could not get through it without crying. 😢😆 A few lines have unique syntax too, which made it harder to memorize. The message of nature being made more beautiful w/friends is lovely, but alone time in nature is nice too. Thank you for enjoying and best wishes on spoken word. 🗣️ Wonderful, however many takes! 👏🏻

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

    1. I don’t feel brave, but I greatly appreciate you writing your kind comments. 🙏🏻Just channeling my English teacher and poetry admirer. 😁 Still waiting for my videographer muse to show up. 😂 How wonderful! Soar we must! 🦅 Thank you. Wishing you a peaceful and healthy week.

      Like

      Reply

  20. Oh my sweet Michele, I love every part of this post. 💖🥰💝 I love the poem by Thomas Moore that you selected to recite. And honey, although it is after St. Patrick’s Day, so what? ☘ That does not take away from the message you conveyed and the poet you paid tribute to. O-tay? O-tay!!! (channeling my inner Little Rascals) 🐶😺🐱‍🏍👏🏼

    Have an awesome day my Dancing Queen!!! 💃🏼🙏🏼💃🏽

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. I am so glad, Kym. 😊 Thank you! It is a beautiful poem. I love the scene Moore created with his words, and the highlighting of friendship and peace. 💗 Little Rascals… how sweet! Keep channeling. 😁 I love it! It has been an awesome day, beautiful writer.

      “May your heart be light and happy, may your smile be big and wide, and may your pockets always have a coin or two inside!” — Irish Proverb

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

      1. Awwwww Michele my Belle, you are the sweetest girlfriend. 🥧🧁🍰 Continue with your contagious Michele smile and your alluring recitations. 👏🏼 The day was exceptionally beautiful and what a blessing that is. I am so loving the weather right now. Somehow, I am waiting for the gauntlet to drop and we get zapped with an ice storm. But no worries. You can’t have a rainbow without the rain right??? 🌞🌈💐 Enjoy another beautiful day my dear! 😘

        Liked by 1 person

      2. So sweet you are, Kymbalinna. 🧚🏽‍♀️ Thank you! I am so loving the weather right now too. It has been gorgeous! I will enjoy every last cool drop of it. 🌈 So right you are! Wishing you the same! 😘

        Liked by 1 person

      3. Thank you Michele my Belle. You know how to light up my face with a great BIG smile! 😊🤗😉 Oh how I love Kymbalinna! It makes me sound like some exotic superhero! LOL 🐱‍🏍 I know you’re making this a FANtabulous day because you already made my day great! 🌞🌟💐
        Hugs and smooches!!! 😎😘🥰

        Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you very much, Dwight. I am grateful for your visit and encouragement. 🌞 We are often our own worst critics, right? I enjoy the process and challenge of selecting and memorizing a poem, but this one had other plans. 😒 Must be spring fever! 😆 Best to you!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  27. Pingback: We have green sea turtles for Sean! – Markus + Micah

      1. lol…that is show business! you press on and all your readers are thrilled you did. I personally am inspired to press on. I hope my latest post audio works this time or I might have to buy a hair piece…lol … pulling my hair out… Love and laughter…have a wonderful rest of the week!

        Liked by 1 person

  29. I always loved to view your videos and listen to your sweet poem reciting, dear Michele! Your beautiful energy, soothing voice, and lovely presence have all together form a magic pull! 🌸🥰💕 I will come back another time just sit and listen…..

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Annabel, my sweet bell! 🔔Good to see and read you. Thank you for your lovely and heartfelt words. 😊 Come back anytime. 😁 I hope all is well with you and that you are enjoying your spring. 🩰💐💖

      Like

      Reply

Leave a Reply

Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in:

Gravatar
WordPress.com Logo

You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. ( Log Out /  Change )

Facebook photo

You are commenting using your Facebook account. ( Log Out /  Change )

Cancel

Connecting to %s