William Blake, English writer, poet and artist, passed on August 12, 1827, after living a mostly unrecognized life so today, let me take a moment to cherish a few of his wonderful creative gifts he left for all to enjoy.

Then we have a wonderful gift, a poem, The Tiger, but first, a little humor:

Tiger! Tiger! burning bright,
In the forests of the night,
What immortal hand or eye
Could frame they fearful symmetry?

In what distant deeps or skies
Burnt the fire of thine eyes?
Oh what wings dare he aspire?
What the hand dare seize the fire?

And what shoulder, and what art,
Could twist the sinews of thy heart?
And when thy heart began to beat,
What dread hand and what dread feet?

What the hammer? what the chain?
In what furnace was thy brain?
What the anvil? What dread grasp
Dare its deadly terrors clasp?

When the stars threw down their spears,
And watered heaven with their tears,
Did He smile His work to see?
Did He who made the Lamb, make thee?

Tiger! Tiger! burning bright,
In the forests of the night,
What immortal hand or eye
Dare frame thy fearful symmetry?

Perhaps Blake wrote these words “I am in you and you in me, mutual in divine love,” to his loyal and supportive wife, Catherine Sophie Boucher. Blake would go on to teach his illiterate wife not only how to read but paint as well.

Do you have a William Blake favorite you like to share to show your appreciation for this wonderful artist?

Until next time, cheers!