poetry, breakfast and a phone conversation

the northern seas

up! up! let us a voyage take;

why sit we here at ease?

find us a vessel tight and snug

bound for the northern seas.

i long to see the northern lights

with their rushing splendours fly,

like living things with flaming wings,

wide o'er the wondrous sky.

i long to see those icebergs vast

with heads all crowned with snow,

whose green roots sleep in the awful deep

two hundred fathoms low.

i long to hear the thundering crash

of their terrific fall,

and the echoes from a thousand cliffs

like lonely voices call.

there shall we see the fierce white bear

the sleep seals aground,

and the spouting whales that to and fro

sail with a dreary sound.

and while the unsetting sun shines on

through the still heavens' deep blue,

we'll traverse the azure waves, the herds

of the dread sea-horse to view.

we'll pass the shores of solemn pine

where wolves and black bears prowl;

and away to the rocky isles of mist,

to rouse the northern fowl.

and there in the wastes of the silent sky

with the silent earth below,

we shall see far off to his lonely rock

the lonely eagle go.

then softly, softly will we tread

by inland streams, to see

where the pelican of the silent north

sits there all silently.

by mary howitt

birds and flowers, 1838

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blueberry pancakes made with rice, almond and cornmeal flours, and kefir (and some coconut sugar and melted butter, baking soda and baking powder).

these iphone whatsapp calls are so fun and never cease to amaze me.