"As I Walked Out One Evening"

As I walked out one evening,
Walking down Bristol Street,
The crowds upon the pavement
Were fields of harvest wheat.

And down by the brimming river
I heard a lover sing
Under an arch of the railway:
'Love has no ending.

'I'll love you, dear, I'll love you
Till China and Africa meet,
And the river jumps over the mountain
And the salmon sing in the street,

'I'll love you till the ocean
Is folded and hung up to dry
And the seven stars go squawking
Like geese about the sky.

'The years shall run like rabbits,
For in my arms I hold
The Flower of the Ages,
And the first love of the world.'

But all the clocks in the city
Began to whirr and chime:
'O let not Time deceive you,
You cannot conquer Time.

'In the burrows of the Nightmare
Where Justice naked is,
Time watches from the shadow
And coughs when you would kiss.

'In headaches and in worry
Vaguely life leaks away,
And Time will have his fancy
To-morrow or to-day.

'Into many a green valley
Drifts the appalling snow;
Time breaks the threaded dances
And the diver's brilliant bow.

'O plunge your hands in water,
Plunge them in up to the wrist;
Stare, stare in the basin
And wonder what you've missed.

'The glacier knocks in the cupboard,
The desert sighs in the bed,
And the crack in the tea-cup opens
A lane to the land of the dead.

'Where the beggars raffle the banknotes
And the Giant is enchanting to Jack,
And the Lily-white Boy is a Roarer,
And Jill goes down on her back.

'O look, look in the mirror,
O look in your distress:
Life remains a blessing
Although you cannot bless.

'O stand, stand at the window
As the tears scald and start;
You shall love your crooked neighbour
With your crooked heart.'

It was late, late in the evening,
The lovers they were gone;
The clocks had ceased their chiming,
And the deep river ran on.

by W.H. Auden
1940

Recycled Bookmark

I could have posted this on my thrifting blog, since this was a complimentary gift today at the thrift store, and it's a recycled card.
I could have also posted it on my crafty blog, since it's crafted from an old Christmas card.
But it wound up here, because it's a bookmark.

This is such a simple thing to make, but so lovely. The card has been cut with decorative scissors, hole-punched, and strung with some yarn.
Great way to recycle, and it's just so cute.
Would make a fun keepsake also, if using cards from friends or family.
Sure beats throwing them away, that's for sure.

A similar idea is worth sharing from the blog "I Heart Fabric". She sells gift tags that she fashions from vintage wrapping paper. Adorable.

Shopping for book lovers

I thought it might be fun to list some gift ideas for readers on your list. Sure, books are great, but accessories might be more useful if you're not sure what's on their reading list.


Fish Bowl Bookends (available at several locations).

Ha! The librarian action figure with push-button Shushing action!

"I read Banned Books" sweatshirt.


writers and artists caricature bookmarks, posters, magnets, notecards.


the literate tote bag.

Novel-themed wine stops, or tea infusers.

"Book Lovers Diary", has places for someone to list favorite quotes, wants, gift ideas, etc.