William Blake - Auguries of Innocence

William Blake Auguries of Innocence

He who shall train the Horse to War Shall never pass the Polar Bar. The Beggar’s Dog and Widow’s Cat, Feed them and thou wilt grow fat.

emphasizing the interconnectedness of all life and the importance of compassion.

Those who cultivate violence and war (symbolized by training a horse for war) will find themselves spiritually barred (unable to pass the Polar Bar). In contrast, acts of kindness and care (feeding the beggar’s dog and widow’s cat) lead to abundance and fulfillment.

My Personal musings inspired by Blake :

In the quiet of my growing years,I find solace in the stillness, where Blake’s whispered verses lie. My heart that yearns for companionship, Yet finds beauty in the solitude, where thought and peace parlay.

The sanctuary of this private space of mine, a realm of tranquil grace,Holds a beauty so profound, time cannot erase.And though the echo of a partner’s laughter fades into the night,The presence of my little boys fills the void with light.

In their laughter, in their wonder, I see life anew,A bond so deep and meaningful, a connection pure and true.Yes, they bring moments of challenge, tests of patience and of will,But in their eyes, I see the world, innocent and still.

At their tender age, their sweetness knows no bounds,Their curiosity, a beacon, in its depth profound.With them, I am anchored, in a love so vast and deep,A reminder of what matters, a treasure I my heart does keep.

Though the quest for partnership has led me down many a road,And at times the journey’s weight felt like a heavy load,I’ve found a different connection, in the spaces in between,In the quiet, in the chaos, in the landscapes unseen.

So here, amidst the verses of Blake, that stir my soul and mind,I reflect on life’s beauty, uniquely intertwined.With every line, a lesson, in every shadow a light,In the peaceful solitude of my own and together with the wonderful love of my boys.

Part II

“The Clod and the Pebble” - William Blake

from Songs of Innocence and of Experience

“Love seeketh not itself to please, Nor for itself hath any care, But for another gives its ease, And builds a Heaven in Hell’s despair.”

Reflecting on my current state, I can’t help but draw parallels to Oliver Sacks’s “Awakenings,” a poignant narrative that was beautifully adapted into a film starring Robin Williams. It tells the story of patients in a hospital, seemingly locked away within themselves due to conditions akin to Parkinson’s Disease, who were miraculously brought back to life with high doses of L-DOPA. For a brief, luminous period, they awakened, engaging with the world and each other in ways that seemed lost to them. This narrative resonates deeply with my own journey these past few months.

From June through November, I experienced some of the happiest moments of my entire life, a stark contrast to the preceding eight years of marriage, which felt like an unending ordeal. That period before my awakening was a descent into despair, culminating in August when I moved out. Yet, the promise of liberation through divorce has been mired by a relentless assault on my finances and spirit by the very system meant to offer reprieve, and the continued abuse from the one who vowed to be a partner.

In this personal “Awakening,” the joy was fleeting. As I navigate the aftermath, the court battles, the financial ruin, and the emotional toll, I’m reminded of the patients in Sacks’s account, whose brief resurgence was eventually dimmed. Yet, unlike those patients, my anchors—my two incredible boys—offer a perpetual spark of hope and purpose. They are the reason I endure, the reason I strive to build a semblance of happiness amidst chaos.

In this spirit, I’m reminded of William Blake’s powerful lines from “The Clod and the Pebble” in his Songs of Innocence and of Experience:

“Love seeketh not itself to please, Nor for itself hath any care, But for another gives its ease, And builds a Heaven in Hell’s despair.”

These words capture the essence of my struggle and my hope. For my boys, I am rooted. For them, I find the strength to face each day, to navigate this tempest, and to envision a future where the weight of the past becomes the foundation for a new beginning.