
Songs of Storms, and Fawns, and Pastoral Lauds
From eastern Seas, to redwood Trees,
From Sorrow, to gleeful Swallows
Here, one will see, what thoughts occurred to me,
not in the barque of Past or Tomorrow, but of the ever dear Present,
Awakened, and Startled.
On the Author's Work

R.V. Smith: "Self Portrait at Sunset" 08-03-2020
Songs of Storms, and Fawns, and Pastoral Lauds, is a burgeoning Poetic Conceptual Anthology, aspiring to a total of Six Volumes, each composed of fifty distinct poetic compositions, which nonetheless cohere around intertwining Themes. Almost in a manner of a "stream of consciousness," this Anthology explores, in the deepest, and most penetrating sense possible for the author, some of the most severe horrors and anxieties, exalting elations and irrepressible delights, inexhaustible adorations, sorrows, and spiritual heights alike, which are all endemic to the full dignity of the authentic human spirit.
More than a simple work of poetry, Songs of Storms, and Fawns, and Pastoral Lauds is a deliberate act of assertion, into the contemporary world, of the ancient and eternal spirit of the raw human person, asserted with full humanity against inhumanity, particularly at a time when artificiality, with an increasingly inhuman, and almost unrecognizable spectacle, takes on a particularly unsettling prevalence. It is, in short, a deeply immersive project, as it is a way for the author to tap into, and continue, the deep and all-encompassing devotion to authentic Art and sublimity, that all of history has ceaselessly sung, through the direct efforts and assertions of its poets, writers, painters, and musicians. Given the times, I sadly must find myself insisting that absolutely none of these works are assisted, in any way, by artificial intelligence.
The structure of this multi-volume concept centers around philosophical, romantic, spiritual, and pastoral, or naturalistic subject matters, and the series begins and ends - through poetic form - in the manner of Johann Sebastian Bach's Goldberg Variations, with an Aria I and an Aria II opening and closing the Anthology, as the Variations are likewise structured. This symbolizes the dream-like, tender, though incisive and reflective depths of the human heart, which sings an innocent and pure Aria before the drama of history begins, and after the drama is completed, sings the same Aria again, but through the lens of experience, reflection, and deep inner engagement. Above all, this would operate from the perspective of having allowed oneself to fall irreversibly in love, despite even the severest disillusionment, even an exhaustion entirely with life, to nonetheless find a way to continually fall in love again, and again, until one comes to sing this love song for an eternity, before the mystery of an ineffable and incomprehensible Deity.
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Each Volume will contain three main categories, as the title illustrates. To discuss Songs of Storms, one needs only to recall that there are storms of many varieties in life, with some of them severe, totalizing, imposing absolute destruction, and others of them milder, more mysterious, and acutely sorrowful, if still unsettling. To illuminate the Songs of Fawns, one needs only to think of what the sight of a baby deer does to the soul: these songs are full of celebration, joy, romance, and the tenderest thoughts about the deepest, and also, most mundane subjects of life. Finally, the Songs of Pastoral Lauds concern exclusively spiritual and naturalistic matters, and in such pages, one will find the praises of nature, of nature's God, and praises of the works of genius, that were so inspired by both. Such Songs recall the earliest hours of Morning Prayer, or Lauds, as the heart lifts itself up to the loftiest contemplations, and the sweetest acts of gratitude, adoration, and worship.​
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Originally, this project was updated with a defined projection of frequency, or, one Song (minimum) to be published per week, but to take more care, and ensure better craft, I've moved to publishing less frequently, but hopefully with more effort, quality, inspiration, and diligence. All updates, or recently added Songs, will be detailed in the Updates section below, giving both the date initiating the week, and also the title, and date, of the day in which the most recently published poetic work subsides. My intention is to finish the Six Volumes, in as timely a manner as I can, but without sacrificing quality. I appreciate what may be any reader's patience, in tolerating whatever gaps of time occur between each publication.
Updates
Week of 08-10-25:
(08-13-25) The Fire [Songs of Storms, Volume I]
Week of 07-13-25:
(07-20-25) The Elephant [Songs of Pastoral Lauds, Volume I]
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(07-17-25) Walking Death [Songs of Storms, Volume I]
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Week of 06-15-25:
(06-20-25) Monastery Cats [Songs of Pastoral Lauds, Volume I]
Week of 06-01-25:
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(06-02-25) An Imperial Blue [Songs of Pastoral Lauds, Volume I]
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Week of 05-25-25:
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(05-26-25) Repentance [Songs of Pastoral Lauds, Volume I]
Week of 05-18-25:
(05-19-25) Tomorrow [Songs of Pastoral Lauds, Volume I]
Week of 05-11-25:
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(05-14-25) Ordinary People [Songs of Fawns, Volume I]
Week of 05-04-25:
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(05-10-25) The First Storm [Songs of Storms, Volume I], The First Fawn [Songs of Fawns, Volume I], and The First Pastoral Laud [Songs of Pastoral Lauds, Volume I]
(05-06-25) Initial Works of Songs of Storms, and Fawns, and Pastoral Lauds: Aria I, and the first twenty-six works of Volume I