The Circle Game

Yesterday a child came out to wonder 

Caught a dragonfly inside a jar 

Fearful when the sky was full of thunder 

And tearful at the falling of a star 

*And the seasons they go round and round 

And the painted ponies go up and down 

We're captive on the carousel of time 

We can't return we can only look behind 

From where we came 

And go round and round and round 

In the circle game 

Then the child moved ten times round the seasons 

Skated over ten clear frozen streams 

Words like, when you're older, must appease him 

And promises of someday make his dreams 

Sixteen springs and sixteen summers gone now 

Cartwheels turn to car wheels thru the town 

And they tell him 

“Take your time, it won't be long now 

Till you drag your feet to slow the circles down” 

So the years spin by and now the boy is twenty 

Though his dreams have lost some grandeur coming true 

There'll be new dreams, maybe better dreams and plenty 

Before the last revolving year is through.

-----Joni Mitchell

 

Comments

[Jeanne]

Love your paintings of faces. The one really looks like you (left hand side). Is your Art & Soul class on "A Story in Every Face" made for complete beginners unsure of any talent? I saw there were three places left.

[katie]

Thanks Jeanne! You would fit in the class beautifully - i see "beginners" (and i know you have done some painting and DO have talent) do some of the most amazing work! think about it...

[rebecca]

you have a way of lifting mountains from my shoulders...of placing wings on my eternal heart.

you do not need words to speak to me...

xoxoxoxoox,
rebecca

[misty]

sighhhh. such a beautiful piece of art/life. i love this painting so much... so happy to see your painting & sharing here.
xoxoxo
come to italy with me? ;)
i'll really miss not being in portland with you!

[Christine Merritt]

Thank you for sharing the beautiful poem. I've been sitting here wondering how my girls have gotten so big (darn time) how they seem to have this frantic need to hurry up and be grown. I have to remember that it is all a big circle.
I look forward to seeing you at A&S only a few weeks away now.

[alexcastroferreira]

It's a beautiful and powerful painting. your work is always so powerful love it. thanks for sharing. you are an inspiration and light in our lives. xo to you from portugal

[Susan Tuttle]

Hello My Sweet Friend:)
Oh how I have missed your lovely inspiration through your words and lush, gorgeous artwork -- such a delight to visit your blog today. You have been on my mind -- I hope you are having a glorious Fall.

XO

[judy Wise]

beautiful faces, beautifully painted and beautiful words. I love this post can you tell? I am counting the days until Art & Soul. I need some katie time. xo

[pilar]

Your work always speaks so much and are perfectly accented with Joni's lyrics. xoxoxoxo

[Margaret]

Love it--

[eb]

sigh...
mine is 15
my baby
melancholy me
missing the smaller circles
yes - I too love Joni...

xox - eb.