Sunday, May 31, 2009

Being Inspired by Others

Apres un Reve (After a Dream) by Gabriel Faure



I dream a world where man
No other man will scorn,
Where love will bless the earth
And peace its paths adorn.
I dream a world where all
Will know sweet freedom's way,
Where greed no longer saps the soul
Nor avarice blights our day.
A world I dream where black or white,
Whatever race you be,
Will share the bounties of the earth
And every man is free,
Where wretchedness will hang its head
And joy, like a pearl,
Attends the needs of all mankind--
Of such I dream, my world!

--Langston Hughes

8 comments:

Opaque said...

After reading this splendid song, I instantly remembered "Imagine" by John Lennon.

Truly, an inspiration.

Judith Ellis said...

The song played here,"Apres Un Reve" (After a Dream) by Gabriel Fauré, is based on a poem by Romain Bussine. Here are the words:

In a slumber charmed by your image
I dreamed of happiness, ardent mirage;
Your eyes were more tender, your voice pure and clear.
You were radiant like a sky brightened by sunrise;
You were calling me, and I left the earth
To flee with you towards the light;
The skies opened their clouds for us,
Splendors unknown, glimpses of divine light...
Alas! Alas, sad awakening from dreams!
I call to you, oh night, give me back your illusions;
Return, return with your radiance,
Return, oh mysterious night!

The poem that I include here is by Harlem Renaissance poet, Langston Hughes. Both are incredibky beautiful to me.

Glad the post inspires!

Linda S. Socha said...

Oh Judith
I love Langston Hughes.
Paired with this music it is lovely .....

I thought of you today when I went to see the Soloist...I wondered if you had seen it

Hope your week is one filled with smooth sailing
Linda

Judith Ellis said...

Linda - I so love that you love Langston Hughes; Langston Hughes, Jean Toomer and Countee Cullen, are among my favorites.

I'm glad you thought of me today when you saw the "Soloist." It's good to be thought of. :-) I have not seen the movie yet, but maybe I'll go see it next weekend.

Did you like it? If Jamie Foxx is as great an actor as he was in "Ray," it will be well worth it.

Dave Wheeler said...

Judith,

"A world I dream where black or white,
Whatever race you be,
Will share the bounties of the earth
And every man is free,"

It seems like such a simple statement, who would not want to reach this destination? There is money and political power in perpetuating conflict, all ethnicities and parties included. But the closer you get to the community, get folks united behind a common goal or purpose, difference get set aside and great stuff can get done? How do we capture the "power of the local" and take it nationally?

Thanks Judith...profoundly beautiful words and a new determination to see them made real.

Linda S. Socha said...

I loved it Judith....I know there have been mixed reviews. I loved the concept of friendship....and just showing up
LInda

Judith Ellis said...

Tip O'Neill said that "all politics is local." But term limits seem necessary to see to it that things get done on the national and local levels. Some cities have set term limits on how many times a mayor can run. Bloomberg in New York, for example, seems unable to extend his term as he had wished. I think this is good.

There should be NO career politicians on any level, local or national. I am especially thinking of the members of the City Council in Detroit. UGH! On the national level, I do not think the Founding Father had this is mind. Congress was meant to set laws and then senators and representatives would return to their respective states and live under these laws.

Judith Ellis said...

Linda - I'm definitely going to check it out. Thanks! "Just showing up" for friends is so very important. I delight in doing this.