Happy Birthday, Keats!

[Ennis]

31st. October. 1795:

"This is your birth-day . . . , and I rejoice
That thus it passes smoothly, quietly.
Many such eves of gently whispering noise
May we together pass, and calmly try
What are this world's true joys -- ere the great voice,
From its fair face, shall bid our spirits fly."

from "To My Brothers"
18th. November. 1816

Happy 215th Birthday, Keats!!
To all of us who love you and your poetry, your presence is still so very real and strong.
Thank you for giving us the gifts of your creative genius.

[jesleeall]

Yes, happy birthday!

[Raphael]

I thought of him all day yesterday...and poured out some berry juice (had no claret) for him and put two nectarines from the organic shop in front of his portrait.

[Ennis]

I thought of him all day yesterday...and poured out some berry juice (had no claret) for him and put two nectarines from the organic shop in front of his portrait.

I had bought a bottle of claret (it's hard to find where I live, for some reason -- needless to say, I paid dearly for it!), but I didn't get around to drinking a toast (or two . . .) to Keats (yet) because Hallowe'en is such a big deal around here, and by the time I got home from taking Aidan trick-or-treating I was "dead" (pardon the pun) tired. I will tonight, however. It doesn't bother me too much -- being a day behind -- knowing how Keats didn't celebrate his birthday, anyway!!

[BrokenLyre]

I had my claret with a friend on Oct 31. And another round with my sons. I thought of you all with me and recited some Keats poems. Called my daughter at college - she's always been my "Keats Companion" and she often recites Keats while she walks between buildings in the winter.
Wonderful warm feeling all day actually.

To my friends here as well,

[Raphael]

Glad you had a good toast to dear John Broken Lyre! Ennis, maybe he didn't like his birthday but I bet the Brawnes baked him a cake once lol

[Ennis]

Happy 211th birthday to Keats's beloved brother, Tom!!
Where ever your essence is Tom, thanks from all us Keatsians for your unwavering support for your big brother. He did so truly love you

18th. November.1799

[Raphael]

That's very touching Ennis.

[Malia]

Oh, I totally forgot about Tom's birthday. Yes, he was Keats's beloved brother. George Keats had said that Tom understood John better than any other person. They were exceptionally close.

[Raphael]

Tom seems to have been a sweet young man. His portrait shows a good looking young man with a sensitive face.