tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19129129322030432702023-12-01T18:37:42.155-08:00Pure Love: 24 SonnetsPoetry based on Solomon's Song of Songs, by George van Popta.George van Poptahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03944560685495278021noreply@blogger.comBlogger26125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1912912932203043270.post-66134505249635436922016-12-02T08:46:00.000-08:002017-10-23T11:39:32.895-07:00PrefaceA book or suite of poetry should, I think, have a short preface if any at all. Poetry speaks for itself, and yet a few notes might be in order.<br />
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As one reads the <i>Song of Songs</i> the reader will notice several voices: those of the female beloved, the male lover, the maidens of Jerusalem, and the beloved’s older brothers. In these sonnets quotation marks are used to indicate the voices of the lover, of the friends, and of the brothers, but not of the beloved since she is the main speaker in the book.<br />
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Every translation and commentary will differ at times on who is speaking when. Choices need to be made. Without pretending to resolve all the questions or tensions, I have made mine. <br />
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The illustrations are all in the public domain and the sonnets are under copyright (c) to George van Popta, 2016.<br />
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These sonnets are dedicated to my wife Dora and were published in celebration of our 35th wedding anniversary.<br />
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<a href="http://purelove24sonnets.blogspot.ca/2016/12/table-of-contents.html">Table of Contents...</a><br />
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George van Poptahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03944560685495278021noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1912912932203043270.post-34700583068772563752016-12-01T08:16:00.000-08:002016-12-02T08:21:15.935-08:00Table of Contents<div style="line-height: 0.49cm; margin-bottom: 0.07cm; margin-left: 0.79cm; margin-top: 0.07cm; text-align: center; text-indent: -0.79cm;">
<span style="font-family: "adobe caslon pro" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://purelove24sonnets.blogspot.ca/2016/11/1-sweet-wine.html">1. Sweet Wine</a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "adobe caslon pro" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://purelove24sonnets.blogspot.ca/2016/11/2-brown-skin.html">2. Brown Skin</a></span></span>
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<span style="font-family: "adobe caslon pro" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://purelove24sonnets.blogspot.ca/2016/11/3-perfume.html">3. Perfume</a></span></span>
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<span style="font-family: "adobe caslon pro" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://purelove24sonnets.blogspot.ca/2016/11/4-forest-glen.html">4. Forest Glen</a></span></span>
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<span style="font-family: "adobe caslon pro" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://purelove24sonnets.blogspot.ca/2016/11/5-handsome-stag.html">5. A Handsome Stag</a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "adobe caslon pro" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://purelove24sonnets.blogspot.ca/2016/11/6-spring-has-come.html">6. Spring Has Come</a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "adobe caslon pro" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://purelove24sonnets.blogspot.ca/2016/11/7-turn-back.html">7. Turn Back!</a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "adobe caslon pro" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://purelove24sonnets.blogspot.ca/2016/11/8-where-is-he.html">8. Where Is He?</a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "adobe caslon pro" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://purelove24sonnets.blogspot.ca/2016/11/9-king-solomon_0.html">9. King Solomon</a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "adobe caslon pro" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://purelove24sonnets.blogspot.ca/2016/11/10-like.html">10. Like</a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "adobe caslon pro" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://purelove24sonnets.blogspot.ca/2016/11/11-my-sister-my-bride.html">11. My Sister, My Bride</a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "adobe caslon pro" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://purelove24sonnets.blogspot.ca/2016/11/12-eden.html">12. Eden</a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "adobe caslon pro" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://purelove24sonnets.blogspot.ca/2016/11/13-awoken-from-sleep.html">13. Awoken From Sleep</a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "adobe caslon pro" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://purelove24sonnets.blogspot.ca/2016/11/14-pounding-heart.html">14. Pounding Heart</a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "adobe caslon pro" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://purelove24sonnets.blogspot.ca/2016/11/15-my-lover.html">15. My Lover</a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "adobe caslon pro" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://purelove24sonnets.blogspot.ca/2016/11/16-ravished.html">16. Ravished</a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "adobe caslon pro" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://purelove24sonnets.blogspot.ca/2016/11/17-dazzling.html">17. Dazzling</a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "adobe caslon pro" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://purelove24sonnets.blogspot.ca/2016/11/18-walnut-grove.html">18. The Walnut Grove</a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "adobe caslon pro" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://purelove24sonnets.blogspot.ca/2016/11/19-so-feminine.html">19. So Feminine</a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "adobe caslon pro" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://purelove24sonnets.blogspot.ca/2016/11/20-meadowland.html">20. The Meadowland</a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "adobe caslon pro" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://purelove24sonnets.blogspot.ca/2016/11/21-if-only.html">21. If Only</a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "adobe caslon pro" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://purelove24sonnets.blogspot.ca/2016/11/22-seal-upon-your-heart.html">22. A Seal Upon Your Heart</a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "adobe caslon pro" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://purelove24sonnets.blogspot.ca/2016/11/23-my-brothers.html">23. My Brothers</a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "adobe caslon pro" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://purelove24sonnets.blogspot.ca/2016/11/24-my-own-vineyard.html">24. My Own Vineyard</a></span></span></div>
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George van Poptahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03944560685495278021noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1912912932203043270.post-87376341106878996482016-11-30T09:00:00.000-08:002016-11-30T11:28:37.439-08:0020. The Meadowland<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>The Meadowland</b></div>
<div>
<b><br /></b></div>
<div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">My
lover’s mouth is open for my wine.</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">It
flows o’er lips and teeth on to his tongue.</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">I
am my lover’s and he knows he’s mine.</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">His
love for me remains forever young.</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Come
to the countryside with me, my love.</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Let’s
find an inn where we can spend the night.</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">We’ll
get up early with the mourning dove</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">before
the dawn has given way to light.</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Within
the vineyard we’ll walk hand in hand</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">among
the vines as they break into bud</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">to
see the blossoms in the meadowland—</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">with
splendid sights and smells the earth they flood. </span>
</div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">There
I will give my love to you, my groom.</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Our
yearning for each other there will bloom. </span>
</div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">(<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Song+of+Solomon+7%3A9b-13&version=ESV">Ch. 7:9b-13</a>)</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtlZ_1b6fHqiJjcrcruQBhDM6TZd78XXHSH3lL287N-EXlZihY8HJeHThb55DHZ689hh-_oHTvAbVsCASD4Xm0TGvBfqTFJA6da6kN1fMldH6Ji1vjiquesVmlCx4TtjTYWp0jOsAqC3Kg/s1600/20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtlZ_1b6fHqiJjcrcruQBhDM6TZd78XXHSH3lL287N-EXlZihY8HJeHThb55DHZ689hh-_oHTvAbVsCASD4Xm0TGvBfqTFJA6da6kN1fMldH6Ji1vjiquesVmlCx4TtjTYWp0jOsAqC3Kg/s400/20.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Meadow, Alfred Sisley, 1875</td></tr>
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<i><a href="http://purelove24sonnets.blogspot.ca/2016/11/21-if-only.html">Next Sonnet...</a></i><br />
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George van Poptahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03944560685495278021noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1912912932203043270.post-65257603735233179322016-11-30T08:56:00.001-08:002016-11-30T11:28:37.386-08:0023. My Brothers<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>My Brothers</b></div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">When
I was young my brothers hemmed me in:</span></div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
“<span style="font-size: small;">Our
sister’s small, her breasts have not yet grown.</span></div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;">We
will defend her from the charms of men</span></div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;">and
keep her pure for that one man alone.</span></div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;">If
she’s a wall, great towers we will build</span></div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;">to
guard our sister for it is our task.</span></div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;">If
she’s a door the op’ning we’ll have filled.</span></div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;">To
do our duty is what we are asked.”</span></div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;">My
brothers, dear, I am no more a child.</span></div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;">I
am full grown, my breasts are firm and tall.</span></div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;">I
am closed in, a virgin pure and mild.</span></div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;">I
am the one for him; I him enthrall. </span></div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;">The
one for whom I’m meant now looks at me</span></div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;">and
wants to dwell with me, contentedly. </span><br />
<br /></div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">(<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Song+of+Solomon+8%3A8-10&version=ESV">Ch. 8:8-10</a>)</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVpnzrQQV2W_4w0PxoM5ePzT_PihKiXrs3fTC_qLSao4nh2ibqXq5AcWtBQTuPtK18iDVE40hkKPmk5q0k_m5At0zgpcV1O5ENmyIComfsuKHz0KHMbUsfUHIhkEN84iBH8XKWJuLXH09p/s1600/23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVpnzrQQV2W_4w0PxoM5ePzT_PihKiXrs3fTC_qLSao4nh2ibqXq5AcWtBQTuPtK18iDVE40hkKPmk5q0k_m5At0zgpcV1O5ENmyIComfsuKHz0KHMbUsfUHIhkEN84iBH8XKWJuLXH09p/s400/23.jpg" width="317" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Bride, Jose Ferraz de Almeida Jr., 1886</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<i><a href="http://purelove24sonnets.blogspot.ca/2016/11/24-my-own-vineyard.html">Next Sonnet...</a></i></div>
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George van Poptahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03944560685495278021noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1912912932203043270.post-54537732616550147822016-11-30T08:56:00.000-08:002016-11-30T11:28:37.373-08:0022. A Seal Upon Your Heart<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>A Seal Upon Your Heart</b></div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Beneath
the apple tree I roused your love,</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">there
where your mother toiled to give you birth.</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Love
is the greatest gift from heav’n above,</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">the
strongest force existing on the earth.</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Oh,
place me like a seal upon your heart</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">and
wear me as an emblem on your arm</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">that
I may never from you be apart</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">for
when I’m near you I feel safe from harm.</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Love
is as strong as death and burns like fire,</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">its
jealousy unyielding as the grave.</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Great
streams of water cannot quench desire,</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">no
floods or torrents nor a tidal wave.</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">If
one thought he could buy true love with gold</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">he
would be scorned and scoffed at manifold. </span>
</div>
<br />
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">(<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Song+of+Solomon+8%3A5b-7&version=ESV">Ch. 8:5b-7</a>)</span><br />
<br /></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikWOmcnypboRf1TNLwvlkERETttYKbpTeRxX54n0Wv-Wc_b5DA81xXYwnb6WIfd2ZiRau0m6ln3rfgwkSE9XUUB7zUkzvBYVbeaGOfCfncht9sBt33r9nKT9Cb9LWGblT2s3NO1Pg7dgh_/s1600/22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikWOmcnypboRf1TNLwvlkERETttYKbpTeRxX54n0Wv-Wc_b5DA81xXYwnb6WIfd2ZiRau0m6ln3rfgwkSE9XUUB7zUkzvBYVbeaGOfCfncht9sBt33r9nKT9Cb9LWGblT2s3NO1Pg7dgh_/s400/22.jpg" width="308" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Classical Beauty, John William Godward, 1902</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
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<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>George van Poptahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03944560685495278021noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1912912932203043270.post-17762929014265927922016-11-30T08:54:00.000-08:002016-11-30T11:28:37.326-08:0021. If Only<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>If Only</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;">If
only we were twins born on one day</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">who
nursed together at my mother’s breast</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">then
no one would have anything to say</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">when
I, in public view, your face caressed.</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Then
I would lead you to my mother’s house</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">and
give you fruit to eat and wine to drink.</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">He
holds me close as one cleaves to his spouse.</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">His
arms around my waist he interlinks.</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">O
daughters of Jerusalem, hear well:</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Be
careful when you rouse love and its fires.</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">I
charge you by the doe and the gazelle:</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Stir
not up love until it so desires.</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“<span style="font-size: small;">Look,
there they come, the lovers, hand in hand, </span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">up
from the desert to the fertile land!” </span><br />
<br /></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">(Ch. <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Song+of+Solomon+8%3A1-5a&version=ESV">8:1-5a</a>)</span>
</div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGmUsLrM-0mPaebrpVC3zt921lwnt5w6Wmg1kmptRJ3OwRCBh_BthIy31DDQBUr-r0a0HlNu77eaQ951RPT9Ejk9rjbqddDm_M5U7csuOpyEpgAGqzzN8n6jZEiXoW4YUPEkq4uH5WkwCv/s1600/21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="262" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGmUsLrM-0mPaebrpVC3zt921lwnt5w6Wmg1kmptRJ3OwRCBh_BthIy31DDQBUr-r0a0HlNu77eaQ951RPT9Ejk9rjbqddDm_M5U7csuOpyEpgAGqzzN8n6jZEiXoW4YUPEkq4uH5WkwCv/s320/21.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shepherdess, Jean-Francois Millet, 1864</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike></div>
George van Poptahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03944560685495278021noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1912912932203043270.post-69184710370615340152016-11-30T08:51:00.000-08:002016-11-30T11:28:37.393-08:0018. The Walnut Grove<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>The Walnut Grove</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">One
day I went to walk among the trees,</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">amidst
the bushes, through the walnut grove,</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">to
contemplate the vines and greenery,</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">the
pomegranates that bloomed in red and mauve.</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Before
I knew it he burst on the scene</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">in
his roy’l chariot pulled by regal horse.</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">I
joined him in his carriage, like a queen,</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">beguiled
and ravished by his manly force.</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">The
daughters of Jerusalem saw me</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">and
shouted out, “Come back, O Shulammite,</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">that
we may gaze upon, admiringly,</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">your
radiant charm that fills us with delight.”</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“<span style="font-size: small;">Why
would you gaze upon my perfect one</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">as
if she were a girl who danced for men?” </span>
</div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">(Ch. 6:11-13)</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4VlhmfKG_HYFYUvTZWIOQd7ZAqdtJAPpSqzgVcrWg0eCo91WtJCYpOgrprNOUmvUuSE_6Awtz5XygyuuyeAeDgNEaclPPSYY7xV5iEDYeKgl8d41DVPC73OSJSUKysbbxJSdOm-6dciWn/s1600/18a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4VlhmfKG_HYFYUvTZWIOQd7ZAqdtJAPpSqzgVcrWg0eCo91WtJCYpOgrprNOUmvUuSE_6Awtz5XygyuuyeAeDgNEaclPPSYY7xV5iEDYeKgl8d41DVPC73OSJSUKysbbxJSdOm-6dciWn/s400/18a.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Walnut Trees at Sunset in early October, Alfred Sisley, 1882</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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George van Poptahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03944560685495278021noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1912912932203043270.post-80770869689829588372016-11-30T08:50:00.001-08:002016-11-30T11:28:37.419-08:0019. So Feminine<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>So Feminine</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
“<span style="font-size: small;">You
are the royal daughter of the king</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;">with
graceful sculpted legs and lovely feet,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;">the
work of craftsman’s hands, bejewelled with rings.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Your
scent is redolent, like meadowsweet.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;">You
taste like blended wine, magnificent. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Your
breasts are like two fawns, delightful twins.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Your
eyes are wells of light, so elegant.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Your
neck is beautiful, so feminine.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Your
hair shines as a royal tapestry.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;">The
king is captivated by your charms.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;">You
are my love; I love you ardently.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;">I
want to hold you close, within my arms.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;">The
kisses of your mouth are sweetest wine.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;">The
world delights in you, yet you are mine.” </span><br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">(Ch. 7:1-9a)</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiolHGzw15KPuFt1ZJyDyROwAHjkYmVKy47odnOJ_H3vOsJIzNRGShO-R_VIX-LQXLWmyTpYPuh-s_Y3Qthvx1OVUHOaJyedPxhVIFvw8SP5Ve8yXd0nRFz6MCsTywZ-cPIJVFr1r5tmTri/s1600/19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiolHGzw15KPuFt1ZJyDyROwAHjkYmVKy47odnOJ_H3vOsJIzNRGShO-R_VIX-LQXLWmyTpYPuh-s_Y3Qthvx1OVUHOaJyedPxhVIFvw8SP5Ve8yXd0nRFz6MCsTywZ-cPIJVFr1r5tmTri/s400/19.jpg" width="327" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Golden Tresses, Dante Gabriel Rossetti, 1865</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike></div>
George van Poptahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03944560685495278021noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1912912932203043270.post-80938359315309625052016-11-30T08:50:00.000-08:002016-11-30T11:28:37.425-08:0017. Dazzling<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Dazzling</b></div>
<br />
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“<span style="font-size: small;">Your
hair is like a flock of goats that leap</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">and
from the hills of Gilead runs down.</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Your
teeth are like a flock of spotless sheep</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">each
with its twin—not one of them alone.</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">There
may be sixty queens, all beautiful,</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">and
eighty concubines above critique,</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">and
virgins beyond count available.</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">But
you—my perfect one—you are unique.</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">The
maidens saw you and they called you blest.</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">The
royal wives admired you from afar. </span>
</div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
‘<span style="font-size: small;">Who
is this that appears like dawn,’ they pressed,</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
‘<span style="font-size: small;">fair
as the moon, majestic as the stars?</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">She
shines as brightly as the noonday sun.</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">None
dazzles more than this most splendid one.’” </span>
</div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">(Ch. 6:5b-10)</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVPKzh-OMi0cGhBGo0qniwrf9AxbJPoBQLVQLo5l8rlaFbSIUOtIJseACeUoku-rFt9Kwjq0FwV9Awt99OQh6dR0JiyMAzpl5QL8PT7r3sai50lWOYFgdCTbPZaGZdZBeLgNkB7oL-hQKZ/s1600/17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVPKzh-OMi0cGhBGo0qniwrf9AxbJPoBQLVQLo5l8rlaFbSIUOtIJseACeUoku-rFt9Kwjq0FwV9Awt99OQh6dR0JiyMAzpl5QL8PT7r3sai50lWOYFgdCTbPZaGZdZBeLgNkB7oL-hQKZ/s400/17.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My Sweet Rose, John William Waterhouse, 1903</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
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<br /></div>
George van Poptahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03944560685495278021noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1912912932203043270.post-73336251231695721932016-11-30T08:48:00.000-08:002016-11-30T11:28:37.399-08:0015. My Lover<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>My Lover</b></div>
<div>
<b><br /></b></div>
<div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">My
lover glows with health; there’s none like him.</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Thick,
black, and wavy hair flows from his head.</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">His
gentle sparkling eyes with kindness beam.</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">There’s
none but him to whom I would be wed.</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">His
rugged face is like a bed of spice</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">that
yields perfume. I love to kiss his lips.</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">They
drip with myrrh. I am by them enticed.</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">His
arms of gold enfold me in their grip.</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">His
sculpted torso shines like ivory.</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">His
legs are marble set on feet of gold.</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">He
stands erect, a mighty cedar tree. </span>
</div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">His
mouth is sweet and lovely to behold. </span>
</div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">This
is my lover, this my dearest friend!</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">O
sisters, this my true love to the end! </span>
</div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">(Ch. 5:10-16)</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIC9drTYONfL06vLwzA3_hAaxAQhFbZDsG6toKuKsGlKcLaL0MpOfPUYtbxNszHJJr5VmPmkcxi7jIC1-WQEJZFMPtuh-UOrWD81ow3lrsPiOsbq07dCK5UOsqsKDTRC_SgNS_h50EWBnr/s1600/15.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIC9drTYONfL06vLwzA3_hAaxAQhFbZDsG6toKuKsGlKcLaL0MpOfPUYtbxNszHJJr5VmPmkcxi7jIC1-WQEJZFMPtuh-UOrWD81ow3lrsPiOsbq07dCK5UOsqsKDTRC_SgNS_h50EWBnr/s400/15.png" width="316" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div>
A Young Man with a Basket of Fruit, Bartholome Esteban Murillo, 1640</div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div align="center">
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<div align="center">
<b><br /></b></div>
<b>
</b><div>
<b><br /></b></div>
<b>
</b>George van Poptahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03944560685495278021noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1912912932203043270.post-40957804484030684722016-11-30T08:46:00.000-08:002016-11-30T11:28:37.351-08:0014. Pounding Heart<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Pounding Heart</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">My
lover thrust his hand inside the gate.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;">My
heart began to pound inside my breast.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;">I
rose from bed before it was too late.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;">When
I unlatched the door I was distressed</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;">to
see that he had left and gone away.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;">I
searched and called for him, to no avail.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;">The
watchmen found me and, to my dismay,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;">with
blows and bruises they did me assail. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Those
watchmen of the walls were cruel to me.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;">O
daughters of Jerusalem, please tell</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;">my
lover that, with love, I faint away</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;">for
him. For he in favour does excel.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
“<span style="font-size: small;">Please
tell us now, O most delightful one,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;">how
your belov’d is better than all men.” </span><br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">(Ch. 5:4-9)</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5QwGSY1kC-NimhFTaO8KgzxAON1Z3G619NzygqkYQqhw-BI7e9yP9a-KdhdCOehf4fRAHU23jj9VS2t4W1s1NWPha19vxr95TV6HCvpJahf9QBXdHzQRJdReA7WpQhjaBIRkkR-lTqVGO/s1600/14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5QwGSY1kC-NimhFTaO8KgzxAON1Z3G619NzygqkYQqhw-BI7e9yP9a-KdhdCOehf4fRAHU23jj9VS2t4W1s1NWPha19vxr95TV6HCvpJahf9QBXdHzQRJdReA7WpQhjaBIRkkR-lTqVGO/s400/14.jpg" width="271" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Helen on the Walls of Troy, Frederic Lord Leighton, 1865</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<i><br /></i></div>
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<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike></div>
George van Poptahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03944560685495278021noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1912912932203043270.post-11713950320498062622016-11-30T08:43:00.000-08:002016-11-30T11:28:37.307-08:0016. Ravished<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Ravished</b></div>
<div>
<b><br /></b></div>
<div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“<span style="font-size: small;">Where
has your lover gone, where did he turn?</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Please
tell us, fairest one, and we, with you, </span>
</div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">will
look for him for whom your heart does yearn.</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">He
loves you so and will not be untrue.”</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">My
lover to his garden has come down</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">to
browse among the lilies of delight.</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">I
am his precious love, and he is mine.</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">He
will declare his love and hold me tight:</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“<span style="font-size: small;">You
are so beautiful, my darling one.</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">As
lovely as Jerusalem are you.</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Please
turn your eyes from me for I’m undone.</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">I’m
ravished by their glance, they pierce me through.</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">You
are the one I’ll love for all my days,</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">the
one for whom my heart is all ablaze. </span>
</div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">(Ch. 6:1-5a)</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja-nzoV8JJjH-uzySPvkobHqqvF1q94dcRS6wKDBVXhb-NubNE6vxXG26LH85Js4TRJMycqtXntCB1w3ebxx9KXcHdGeKDjuzD4qvYzlecfJKmyjmkxIovECM0T7wvTDsxnxa8AIHQxvFI/s1600/16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja-nzoV8JJjH-uzySPvkobHqqvF1q94dcRS6wKDBVXhb-NubNE6vxXG26LH85Js4TRJMycqtXntCB1w3ebxx9KXcHdGeKDjuzD4qvYzlecfJKmyjmkxIovECM0T7wvTDsxnxa8AIHQxvFI/s400/16.jpg" width="346" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div>
The Bride, Dante Gabriel Rossetti, 1865</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
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George van Poptahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03944560685495278021noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1912912932203043270.post-37656065805698469752016-11-30T08:41:00.000-08:002016-11-30T11:28:37.346-08:0013. Awoken From Sleep<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Awoken From Sleep</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">He
came into his garden paradise</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;">to
eat the honeycomb and drink the wine.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;">He
smelled its fragrant perfume and its spice.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Oh
drink your fill, my love, and freely dine.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;">I
was asleep, but suddenly awoke.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;">I
heard my lover knocking at the door.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;">These
urgent words my suitor to me spoke:</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
“<span style="font-size: small;">Please
let me in, my dove whom I adore.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;">My
head is drenched with dew, my hair is wet,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;">for
I have been asleep outside all night.”</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Now,
when I heard him, I began to fret:</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Must
I get dressed again before it’s light?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;">I
washed my feet before I went to bed.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;">If
I go out they will be soiled instead. </span><br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">(Ch. 5:1-3)</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSqVeIk5I00zzQGF-8bFySFP1rdZpnqmoTq15_gCAv56gTjmkclkd9hLaNwew63dk_71HUssE_yXI8LtA3saGX4I9Bji4I6uqGWx9OH8nLPZ7PdLfV1OM-T2jaD4fSrARU-uY1TipuoAcp/s1600/13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="207" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSqVeIk5I00zzQGF-8bFySFP1rdZpnqmoTq15_gCAv56gTjmkclkd9hLaNwew63dk_71HUssE_yXI8LtA3saGX4I9Bji4I6uqGWx9OH8nLPZ7PdLfV1OM-T2jaD4fSrARU-uY1TipuoAcp/s400/13.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cymon and Iphigenia, Frederic Lord Leighton, 1864</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike></div>
George van Poptahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03944560685495278021noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1912912932203043270.post-42746098099921976462016-11-30T08:39:00.001-08:002016-11-30T11:28:37.362-08:0012. Eden<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Eden</b></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;">
“<span style="font-size: small;">You
are a private paradise, my bride,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;">a
spring enclosed, a fountain sealed to all,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;">an
orchard rich with many fruits supplied</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;">that
spread their fragrant scents which me enthrall.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Your
plants are pomegranates and cinnamon,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;">with
saffron, calamus, and incense trees.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Your
fountain flows downstream from Lebanon</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;">and
waters all the garden’s flush increase.”</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Awake,
north wind, and on my garden waft.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Oh
come, south wind, exhale your gentle mist.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;">May
every fragrant smell then from it draft.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;">I
wait with patience for your loving kiss.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Oh
let my lover come to paradise</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;">to
taste its choicest fruits and all its spice.</span><br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;">(Ch. 4:12-16)</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoalIRJUOubzXZlWusPSSyCzvlIEs6Pn-a5XZZdEFnkcnnxOQyYMBXkSH0pCwedBr16VCebqqA34QRsIpfaOgIu_BlbnL9UczV6a9E9i3B4ldXz211tYh-EIlc8QRgKaHTLDTSF9sq_wKc/s1600/12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoalIRJUOubzXZlWusPSSyCzvlIEs6Pn-a5XZZdEFnkcnnxOQyYMBXkSH0pCwedBr16VCebqqA34QRsIpfaOgIu_BlbnL9UczV6a9E9i3B4ldXz211tYh-EIlc8QRgKaHTLDTSF9sq_wKc/s400/12.jpg" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Girl with Pomegranates, Eugene de Blaas, 1912</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;">
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<i><br /></i></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>George van Poptahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03944560685495278021noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1912912932203043270.post-59016457568974421602016-11-30T08:39:00.000-08:002016-11-30T11:28:37.378-08:0011. My Sister, My Bride<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>My Sister, My Bride</b></div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“<span style="font-size: small;">How
beautiful you are, my darling one.</span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-size: small;">There
is no flaw in you—there’s none to see.</span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-size: small;">Please
come with me, my bride, from Lebanon.</span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-size: small;">From
Hermon’s lofty heights, oh come with me.</span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-size: small;">You
stole my heart, my sister and my bride.</span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-size: small;">With
just one glance you’ve taken it away.</span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-size: small;">Now
come with me; through life I’ll be your guide.</span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-size: small;">Let
us make haste to leave without delay.</span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-size: small;">Your
love is so delightful, and it’s mine.</span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-size: small;">The
fragrance of your perfume stirs my heart.</span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-size: small;">More
pleasing is your love than vintage wine.</span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-size: small;">I
never want to be from you apart.</span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-size: small;">Your
lips drop sweetness as the honeycomb.</span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-size: small;">Oh
come, my bride, my darling, to my home.</span><br />
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">(Ch. 4:7-11)</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_zzHNnz-JenRjn77vkE8AvDiYKzPPD1R_6hbfmKVLXcWJrrmt8U3_xAcjjv22E6BY0YdeAKrir1S5Ws1Fk70e7AorKCSL1VKZDnxZ7HZXXhlTaH0Q9MGDjGJ_UxfAoE7fwnPQOjO6sETL/s1600/11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_zzHNnz-JenRjn77vkE8AvDiYKzPPD1R_6hbfmKVLXcWJrrmt8U3_xAcjjv22E6BY0YdeAKrir1S5Ws1Fk70e7AorKCSL1VKZDnxZ7HZXXhlTaH0Q9MGDjGJ_UxfAoE7fwnPQOjO6sETL/s400/11.jpg" width="292" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Beloved Study (Bride Study), Dante Gabriel Rossetti, 1865</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
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<div align="center">
</div>
<br />George van Poptahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03944560685495278021noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1912912932203043270.post-15701627416041835092016-11-30T08:38:00.000-08:002016-11-30T11:28:37.314-08:0010. Like<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Like</b></div>
<br />
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“<span style="font-size: small;">How
beautiful you are, my darling love.</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Your
hair is like a flock of prancing goats.</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">The
eyes behind your veil are graceful doves.</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Like
iv’ry is the whiteness of your throat.</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Your
teeth are like a flock of sheep just shorn</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">that
from the cleansing waters are adrip.</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Each
has its twin and charmingly adorns</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">your
lovely mouth and scarlet-coloured lips.</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Your
cheeks are soft and round like pomegranates.</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Your
neck is elegant, like David’s tow’r.</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Like
matching fawns while grazing are your breasts—</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">the
twins of a gazelle among the flow’rs.</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Until
the shadows flee at break of day</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">with
you, my treasured bride, I’ll always stay. </span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
</div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">(Ch. 4:1-6)</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVyH_dQUaBtFzjMDYovZdb9MfnOOjJudWOyfKTO5vQBYWhcPJBzJ9ImynxCzXsx6uBNsgc53yGkijYHIDjOeIOHph8T2zeKQg_TqjmvESmdSDSnXao6ttH85vBdoYJjM5tYvIS4Lk1PLmZ/s1600/10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVyH_dQUaBtFzjMDYovZdb9MfnOOjJudWOyfKTO5vQBYWhcPJBzJ9ImynxCzXsx6uBNsgc53yGkijYHIDjOeIOHph8T2zeKQg_TqjmvESmdSDSnXao6ttH85vBdoYJjM5tYvIS4Lk1PLmZ/s400/10.jpg" width="233" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ophelia, John William Waterhouse, 1894</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
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<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
George van Poptahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03944560685495278021noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1912912932203043270.post-19825896948708250132016-11-30T08:37:00.000-08:002016-11-30T11:51:33.476-08:008. Where Is He?<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Where Is He?</b></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Upon
my bed at night I longed for him,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">the
one with whom the best does not compare.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">I
went to look outside, while light was dim</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">and
searched out all the streets and every square.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">The
watchmen met me as they made their rounds.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">I
asked them if they’d seen my dearest love.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">No
sooner had I asked them than I found</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">the
one to whom I am a precious dove.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">O
daughters of Jerusalem, hear well:</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Be
careful when you rouse love and its fires.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">I
charge you by the doe and the gazelle:</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Stir
not up love until it so desires.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">I
ran to him and held him very close</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">until
I brought him to my mother’s house. </span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">(Ch. 3:1-5)</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEircvmaWjGmGE-FrHkom6oZAsjXjiNKanlRTQKCSTH2uAXNbw0-pQyNXmSSG4VGrQifyWE0bg3abz4M61Dm1v7gOCXUrL-tTQNNUOhfo_o5TIiCgAPGk4dWwbmskqvD8VHpBhkPO_6Lf-sV/s1600/8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEircvmaWjGmGE-FrHkom6oZAsjXjiNKanlRTQKCSTH2uAXNbw0-pQyNXmSSG4VGrQifyWE0bg3abz4M61Dm1v7gOCXUrL-tTQNNUOhfo_o5TIiCgAPGk4dWwbmskqvD8VHpBhkPO_6Lf-sV/s400/8.jpg" width="290" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div>
The Happy Lovers, Gustave Courbet, 1844</div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<a href="http://purelove24sonnets.blogspot.ca/2016/11/9-king-solomon_0.html"></a><br /></div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike></div>
George van Poptahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03944560685495278021noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1912912932203043270.post-60266281683138296772016-11-30T08:35:00.001-08:002016-11-30T11:28:37.382-08:007. Turn Back!<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Turn Back!</b></div>
<br />
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Protect
us from the foxes on the prowl</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">that
devastate the vineyard and its grace.</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">The
foxes take the good and make it foul.</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">They
always desecrate the holy place.</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">The
one I love belongs exclusively</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">to
me alone. With no one will I share</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">my
intimate who loves effusively.</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">My
lover is a man beyond compare.</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Until
the break of day when shadows flee</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">he
walks among the lilies where we dwell.</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Turn
back again, my lover, come to me.</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Be
like a bounding stag, a young gazelle.</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">I
will not be at peace or calm until</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">I
see him come across the rugged hill. </span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> </span>
</div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">(Ch. 2:15-17)</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTAZyi6gwv4p4rksdPvCMyo75_bjOJGvrmDpFQlJlM5sUIJhe1i8z3_Sl-FK_5LjiKs5o8-0ZJxeVWTkE-Fe3U23OdoPLgBbeYVgza7lQGZHdcUzkkyNSwzDxNpWCEmTy9E0Uo7TRipQ_z/s1600/7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTAZyi6gwv4p4rksdPvCMyo75_bjOJGvrmDpFQlJlM5sUIJhe1i8z3_Sl-FK_5LjiKs5o8-0ZJxeVWTkE-Fe3U23OdoPLgBbeYVgza7lQGZHdcUzkkyNSwzDxNpWCEmTy9E0Uo7TRipQ_z/s400/7.jpg" width="255" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Four Foxes, Franz Marc, 1913</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
George van Poptahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03944560685495278021noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1912912932203043270.post-41636922595556528112016-11-30T08:35:00.000-08:002016-11-30T11:28:37.356-08:006. Spring Has Come<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Spring Has Come</b></div>
<div>
<b><br /></b></div>
<div align="center">
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">My
lover spoke and said to me, “Arise</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">and
leave with me, my darling one! Make haste!</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">The
autumn rains are gone, the winter dies,</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">and
spring has come—there is no time to waste!</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">The
flow’rs show bold upon the sun-soaked earth.</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">The
time of song has come to spread its joy.</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">All
vines and trees rejoice at life’s rebirth</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">and
every fragrant smell and scent deploy.</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Arise
and come with me, my heart’s desire.</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Don’t
hide from me, my shy and modest dove.</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Show
me your face whose beauty so inspires.</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">And
let me hear your voice, so full of love.</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">O
come, my dear, let us not hesitate</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">to
go together to my own estate.” </span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">(Ch. 2:10-14)</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEVBU3xPV-HYfNhW86J-c8gCxSg_x0VqJYfi7yYZs1V04TUxu0Cse_a91JBe2jfwWi67WlWkedA_jiJCVz17U438V5GOSoYgZZkh0mpeIZCTaxJPM4pi7VKrPj4btwXzLXfja3Khb9cWiD/s1600/6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEVBU3xPV-HYfNhW86J-c8gCxSg_x0VqJYfi7yYZs1V04TUxu0Cse_a91JBe2jfwWi67WlWkedA_jiJCVz17U438V5GOSoYgZZkh0mpeIZCTaxJPM4pi7VKrPj4btwXzLXfja3Khb9cWiD/s400/6.jpg" width="273" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wildflowers, John William Waterhouse, c. 1900</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<i><a href="http://purelove24sonnets.blogspot.ca/2016/11/7-turn-back.html">Next Sonnet...</a></i></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<b></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
George van Poptahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03944560685495278021noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1912912932203043270.post-16713348800875739042016-11-30T08:34:00.000-08:002016-11-30T11:28:37.319-08:005. A Handsome Stag<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>A Handsome Stag</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">O
daughters of Jerusalem, hear well:</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Be
careful when you rouse love and its fires.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;">I
charge you by the doe and the gazelle:</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Stir
not up love until it so desires.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Look!
There he is. My lover comes for me—</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;">a
young gazelle cavorting o’er the hill.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;">He’s
swift of foot and runs assuredly,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;">a
handsome stag that goes where’er he will.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;">But
now I see him waiting by the wall.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;">With
longing eyes he gazes at the door.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;">I
hear his lovely voice, I hear him call</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;">me
with a song that I cannot ignore.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;">He
stands with eager yearning at the gate.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;">I’ll
ever in his love luxuriate. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;">(Ch. 2:7-9)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike><br /></strike></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-1lsdz66gJ6gLWNUxbI-i73Je-1OSjR1ybJFXJpYjcXxlnoun2hrJ8NiOrOda3vTjRfS5ZtDFh37XuYWHEmHuX1FHSUj4RVnab_P4MuwpZADvUf7sPE0tAltTH38OM5KmMmbV_0PgUorm/s1600/5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-1lsdz66gJ6gLWNUxbI-i73Je-1OSjR1ybJFXJpYjcXxlnoun2hrJ8NiOrOda3vTjRfS5ZtDFh37XuYWHEmHuX1FHSUj4RVnab_P4MuwpZADvUf7sPE0tAltTH38OM5KmMmbV_0PgUorm/s400/5.jpg" width="316" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Head of a Stag, Diego Velazquez, 1634</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><a href="http://purelove24sonnets.blogspot.ca/2016/11/6-spring-has-come.html">Next Sonnet...</a></i></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
George van Poptahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03944560685495278021noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1912912932203043270.post-82699740844360138392016-11-30T08:33:00.000-08:002018-10-06T15:10:43.854-07:004. Forest Glen<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Forest Glen</b></div>
<div>
<b><br /></b></div>
<div align="center">
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">The
bed we share is in a forest glen.</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">As
I gaze up I see the mighty trees—</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">the
cedar and the fir of field and fen.</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">I
trust him so, entirely at ease.</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">I
am a rose of Sharon, chaste and pure,</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">a
lily of the valley, wholly white.</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">With
his strong arms around me, I’m secure.</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">To
sit beside my friend is my delight.</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">I
faint with love when he caresses me.</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">His
banner o’er my head proclaims his love.</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">He
cares for me and treasures perfectly</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">my
heart and soul, to him a gentle dove.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Feed me with raisins, O my dearest one,</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">and with fresh apples ripened in the sun.</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
</div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">(Ch. 1:17-2-6)</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">Dedicated to Sarah and Reuben, Sept. 29, 2018</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpP6EVBvfkyJ5dkVOKKhA-7AWrBKBR6xVSilNuWcxOT5otHJF7bVfrhDz5Fy3zVbTgx0HrZNU_ibsvDIOiB6-oC0pclF2gjXzPDmBqv6jA_57793AYzEm8ZIbBza6GPiG9rMfr5TpKWVuI/s1600/4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpP6EVBvfkyJ5dkVOKKhA-7AWrBKBR6xVSilNuWcxOT5otHJF7bVfrhDz5Fy3zVbTgx0HrZNU_ibsvDIOiB6-oC0pclF2gjXzPDmBqv6jA_57793AYzEm8ZIbBza6GPiG9rMfr5TpKWVuI/s400/4.jpg" width="283" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coniferous Forest, Sunny Day, Ivan Shishkin, 1895</td></tr>
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George van Poptahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03944560685495278021noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1912912932203043270.post-43552877346748345172016-11-30T08:32:00.000-08:002016-11-30T11:28:37.367-08:003. Perfume<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Perfume</b></div>
<div align="center">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div align="center">
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“<span style="font-size: small;">If
you don’t know, O fairest of them all,</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">then
follow trails and tracks made by his sheep.</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">We
know he’ll find you, for you him enthrall.</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: -1cm; margin-right: -0.74cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Now graze your goats near tents
where shepherds sleep.”</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“<span style="font-size: small;">I
liken you, my darling, to a mare</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
‘<span style="font-size: small;">mid
Pharaoh’s chariot-stallions neighing loud.</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Your
ears are lovely dressed with gold so rare.</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">I’ll
give you jewels of which you will be proud.”</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">The
king was on his couch, he was at rest.</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">My
perfume spread its fragrance through the room.</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">My
lover laid his head upon my breast.</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">He
is to me like henna in full bloom.</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“<span style="font-size: small;">How
beautiful you are, my dear, my dove.”</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">How
elegant are you, my man, my love.</span><br />
<br /></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
</div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">(Ch. 1:8-16)</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmGIVGZDPG4F7zG9yUT4jap1N6CVZHZe-X43yhD4Tw9hh3LuhmVt0EiiaojWCgX6nlhcIEQUTunIsbT-1hNXp7dvWhcnKCChOgHZQBSb3PdwhJ6GW-E-mZtRABAXXUPGWx0qvDPD6S-La_/s1600/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="398" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmGIVGZDPG4F7zG9yUT4jap1N6CVZHZe-X43yhD4Tw9hh3LuhmVt0EiiaojWCgX6nlhcIEQUTunIsbT-1hNXp7dvWhcnKCChOgHZQBSb3PdwhJ6GW-E-mZtRABAXXUPGWx0qvDPD6S-La_/s400/3.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Perfume, Luigi Russolo, 1910</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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George van Poptahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03944560685495278021noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1912912932203043270.post-86659770218434033952016-11-29T22:27:00.001-08:002016-11-30T11:28:37.435-08:002. Brown Skin<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Brown Skin</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">I
know I’m lovely though my skin is brown—</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;">dark
like the tents of Kedar is my face.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;">I
work outside all day until sundown.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;">My
brothers think that I am a disgrace.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Don’t
stare at me! I’m darkened by the sun.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;">They
made me care for vineyards every day.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;">My
vineyard I neglected—yes, my own!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;">I
long for him to take me far away.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Tell
me, my dearest love, where do you go</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;">to
graze your flock of sheep in pastures green?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Where
do you rest your flock? I want to know.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Please
take me to your meadow, most serene.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Why
should I be a woman veiled who wends</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;">and
wanders midst the flocks of all your friends? </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;">(Ch. 1:5-7)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1WWdhe4_59M5S1nfXLXxgCFXIj6kyA7P6_07ZP9OmPzDKKRqJL7XtAu6p4S6_IWbAzan8apB2_lgTJPz8V8X-ekF4j8beYt9Dp6gIYzvuDl0BbiOV9MU_7LVG3pdydH8cqagCi3mBc6ZG/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1WWdhe4_59M5S1nfXLXxgCFXIj6kyA7P6_07ZP9OmPzDKKRqJL7XtAu6p4S6_IWbAzan8apB2_lgTJPz8V8X-ekF4j8beYt9Dp6gIYzvuDl0BbiOV9MU_7LVG3pdydH8cqagCi3mBc6ZG/s400/2.jpg" width="261" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Girl with a Coin (Girl of Galicia), Bartolome Esteban Murillo, 1650</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<div style="text-align: center;">
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike></div>
George van Poptahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03944560685495278021noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1912912932203043270.post-73420300717308438032016-11-29T22:27:00.000-08:002016-11-30T11:28:37.405-08:001. Sweet Wine<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Sweet Wine</b></div>
<br />
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">O,
let my lover kiss me on the mouth.</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Your
love is more delightful than sweet wine.</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">You
are the one I’ve only loved since youth.</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">I
am my suitor’s love, and he is mine.</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">The
fragrance of your perfume fills the air.</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Your
name is like anointing oil outpoured.</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">The
maidens love you, but I will not share</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">with
them my love for you whom I adore.</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Take
me away with you—let us make haste!</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Oh,
let the king bring me into his room.</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">I
tremble when I am by you embraced.</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">I
cherish you, my dearest and my groom.</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Our
love is more delightful than the wine</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">pressed
from the grapes we gathered from the vine. </span><br />
<br /></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
</div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">(Ch. 1:1-4)</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy18zUYiSz2Ez2ORJhZQ1-goaInWQbYhqnlNz7aizgUB8fvXr9dOSIDMaImDNSWMDO2cl17QzCnHSnsucxiVZAXS6-S0vYd3f9uIFUZIbXTJ7T-Tlj0zCm-OUMy7-DZBoMIALrZVFGd1vi/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy18zUYiSz2Ez2ORJhZQ1-goaInWQbYhqnlNz7aizgUB8fvXr9dOSIDMaImDNSWMDO2cl17QzCnHSnsucxiVZAXS6-S0vYd3f9uIFUZIbXTJ7T-Tlj0zCm-OUMy7-DZBoMIALrZVFGd1vi/s400/1.jpg" width="325" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Young Woman with Lowered Eyes, Frederic Bazille, 1869</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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George van Poptahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03944560685495278021noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1912912932203043270.post-74037918908188321552016-11-29T22:05:00.000-08:002016-11-30T11:28:37.414-08:009. King Solomon<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>King Solomon</b></div>
<div>
<b><br /></b></div>
<div align="center">
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Who
is this coming up the desert way</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">in
clouds of dust and frankincense and myrrh?</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">O
look! The king, he comes in grand display—</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">King
Solomon enrobed in roy’l azure!</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">He
is escorted by his men of might,</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">his
sixty friends all armed with battle-sword,</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">prepared
for ev’ry terror of the night,</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">devoted
fully to their king and lord.</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">The
coach he rides is splendid to behold.</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">He
made it of the finest cedar trees.</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Its
frame is silver and its roof is gold.</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Upon
his purple couch he is at ease.</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Come
out, you maids, and see my joyful groom</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">as
he invites us to the wedding room!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"> </span>
</div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">(Ch. 3:6-11)</span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqgrZLBlch_eSdRTDBpU_LWRBxIcIGoitqSMJSU1RNijSjJpfVFluPsYTAwiD6S9qmTtLScV0LzfE_Hh6tGCeTsYitprwIx095Lioh4V7tKSar4ZZCh20Lq8tFHrOvAVlMrqe6Us4Cxy6n/s1600/9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="362" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqgrZLBlch_eSdRTDBpU_LWRBxIcIGoitqSMJSU1RNijSjJpfVFluPsYTAwiD6S9qmTtLScV0LzfE_Hh6tGCeTsYitprwIx095Lioh4V7tKSar4ZZCh20Lq8tFHrOvAVlMrqe6Us4Cxy6n/s400/9.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba, Peter Paul Rubens, 1620</td></tr>
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George van Poptahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03944560685495278021noreply@blogger.com0