August 12, 2015

Encountering Balloons and Butterflies

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It’s said that an encounter with a butterfly inspired William Blake’s poem “Eternity,” in which “he who kisses joy as it flies/Lives in eternity’s sunrise.” The joy-kissing balloon-chasing children Blake would say were “born to sweet delight” are having the time of their lives at Saturday’s Watershed Butterfly Festival. The poet, who died on this day in 1827, is remembered in this week’s book review. (Photo by Emily Reeves)