I came across this poem again yesterday and was reminded of its beauty and power in the first few lines.
They are from the poem ‘Auguries of Innocence’ by William Blake.
To see a world in a grain of sand
And heaven in a wild flower
Hold infinity in the palm of your hand
And eternity in an hour
Each line is a paradox describing extremes. Apparently, Blake was very philosophical and religious and, in this poem, wished to examine man’s relationship with nature and how we can witness God in nature. The senses of sight and touch are emphasized.
What I love is that I believe we can see a world in a grain of sand. The sand is from a shell which contained a mollusk, which was essentially the world, to the mollusk.
Following my first of the year sea swim today I was looking at the sand in my hand closely whilst pondering this line. The beauty of the moment was somewhat ruined when a beautiful little dog came over and peed on my chair.
When I turned around another dog had taken a poo beside my swimming bag. My poetic romantic dreamlike state was swiftly brought crashing back to reality.
Perhaps I can re write it to become
To see a world in a grain of sand
Nor the canine’s leavings to understand
That’s all for now
Stay fab
Adele
