Friday, January 23, 2009


One must have a mind of winter
To regard the frost and the boughs
Of the pine trees crusted with snow;

And have been cold a long time
To behold the junipers shagged with ice,
The spruces rough in the distant glitter

Of the January sun; and not to think
Of any misery in the sound of the wind,
In the sound of a few leaves,

Which is the sound of the land
Full of the same wind
That is blowing in the same bare place

For the listener, who listens in the snow,
And, nothing himself, beholds
Nothing that is not there and the nothing that is.



The Snow Man, Wallace Stevens

photo by willow

46 comments:

  1. Me too. I think I am living too far south, however . . .

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  2. I wish we were enjoying a normal winter. Today it was in the mid-70s. No snow for us, so far.

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  3. Thank you for that beautiful poem..although the snow really wasn't my friend tonight.

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  4. "To behold the junipers shagged with ice..." What a lovely image! You have some snow on the ground at the manor! I couldn't be happier for you, Willow!

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  5. We got snow on Inauguration day as well--it was so pretty, but today it warmed up and it's all gone--all six inches of it. I took pics too, though--how pretty, Willow!

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  6. Ooh, is that what you're seeing out your window?? Lucky girl! Don't you just love it!

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  7. Beautiful picture and wonderful poem.

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  8. I love your photographs, Willow.

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  9. I just love the snow...and love this poem..."a mind of winter" what a great image..

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  10. Beautiful poems. I wish I could walk in the snow right now, but it only snows down here once a year. When I saw the miniturized picture in my preview window I thought it was a photo of sheep. When I opened it then, it became the snow on the tree. Funny isn't? You have a talent for selecting good poetry. You would make a great poetry anthologist!!!

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  11. Ms. Willow,

    I very much like this poem. It conveys the sentiments I presently indulge. I bid you a fine day.

    I remain,
    Your most humble & obedient servant.
    Colonel Brandon.
    Nature Diary

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  12. I think the poet was mistaken, even snow has feelings else how could water, being just another state of being, display such temperamental change? Rushing, gushin or raging as the sea to trickling, tinkling mirrored pool or dark dank stagnant marshy bog?

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  13. Those last two lines are so very good.
    I too love the snow when viewed from inside the window, with a roaring fire in the grate and a cup of coffee in my hand.

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  14. Perfect photo and poetry for an apt representation of winter. Wonderful, Willow.

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  15. To which I would add:

    ... and to be able to appreciate spring.

    I love winter and this poem sumps up my feelings towards it. I wish we had a white winter in London, but I still like the cold breeze kissing my cheeks as I traipse up and down the streets of my neighbourhood on my way to and from work.

    Many thanks for such a lovely post and beautiful poem.

    Greetings from London.

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  16. Wallace Stevens was one of the reasons I fell in love with poetry, and this post reminded me why. (It was a long time ago.). I think it's time to dust off some of his books and read some more.

    Lovely picture. I am off to Vermont today and hope to see some of that white stuff by bedtime. Here in Va, there is little of it.

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  17. Excellent idea to match that (lovely) photograph with that poem.

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  18. Hellow Willow,

    We have a little snow on the hills today but nothing quite so deep and crisp and even as you!

    And although I love to see it, I think I'm with Weaver about being warm and cozy inside!

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  19. That is so incredibly gorgeous! I remember winters that look like that when I lived in Ohio and northern Kentucky. I miss them.

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  20. Awesome photo to go with 'The Snow Man'!
    I find snow absolutely beautiful but I'm so glad I live in such a mild place as I really don't like cold at all...

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  21. A savory poem of winter. Read it three times to let the snow encrust my bones....

    Afterward I'm hopeful Spring will come.

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  22. WOW!!

    I might "borrow" this for February 2nd. It's so perfect.

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  23. Thank you for sharing. It's a chilly but sunny day here in Nova Scotia. It's been a l-o-n-g cold winter - but surprisingly there have been many sightings of big fat robins lately. Do they know something we don't? Maybe Spring is closer than we think.

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  24. You do have a gift for discovering the most apt and wonderful poems.
    And what a good fit. A short thoughtful start to the day. Poets are poets because they use language precisely and with economy.
    They get thing right.
    LOVELY.

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  25. Oh Willow, do send some of this beautiful snow our way! It's been unbearable hot and muggy for the past couple of days. Mr Weatherman says more to come. How can a girl even think? tee hee...

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  26. a somber tone to this poem. On my walk y'day through the snow bound landscape I heard the wind rattling some leaves.

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  27. The snow has been beautiful, hasn't it?!

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  28. Such beautiful images, words..we have very little snow so far. Too much snow in the city and I walk cautiously like a penguin.
    Thank you so much.

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  29. Through work, I encounter many people each day who don't have a mind of winter. I myself, could gaze out the window for hours and listen to the wind howl, perfectly content to be a part of the natural state of the seasons. Thank you for sharing such a lovely poem.

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  30. I have such a love/hate relationship with snow and winter. But then there are moments like the one captured in this poem, that are so profound and moving, they are worth the grief.

    Even when I'm into shoveling my drive for the third time in an evening.

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  31. Sends a chill right through me - I'm picturing a stark, windswept landscape.
    Ideal choice!

    Kat

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  32. I love the winter but not too sure the poem is my cup of proverbial tea :)

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  33. Thank you for sharing this beautiful poem, full of great imagery!

    After reading this poem, I went to my bookcase, searching in vain for Wallace Stevens. Lost in transition. Come to think of it, this is not the first time that a poem you shared made me realise I had lost yet another of my books during the move. Such is love. Thank you for your lovely reminders!

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  34. Beautiful poem. You seem to find such beauty, no matter the subject or mood.

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  35. And Spring is also a wonderful event!

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  36. Here in the west pussy willows and sneezes.

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  37. I love winter in theory especially during the dog days of summer ... but then the reality of it overwhelms the romantic notion and I end up COLD .. sigh .. lovely photo AND words

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  38. Willow your photos & poem are exquisite! Thank you (:

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  39. Beautiful poem! Willow, you always find the best ones; I imagine you lounging about the manor all day with your nose buried in old books of poetry, a cup of tea at your elbow.

    I do hope that you've laid the poetry aside long enough to tramp about in the snow with the camera. Yes, I believe you already have... beautiful and very fitting photo!

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  40. Willow,
    What a picture of your beautiful trees out front. I love it! and the poem to match. I've finally had a chance to comment on some of your recent posts. Time slips away so much anymore. I must post very soon and get over to some of my blog buddies blogs..... stay warm! I am enjoying my wood burning fireplace these chilly cold evenings.
    The Bach

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  41. Willow, It was over 60 here in Tennessee today. The kids played in the leaves.

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  42. Oh, gosh, it's spring here in Vancouver today!

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  43. I read the poem and then I went on an Internet search for its meaning. And what an interesting read that was. to hear students discussing the complexity of what they thought the writer intended. Thanks for it all.

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  44. you always have the best poems. Love it. thank you.

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Inject a few raisins of conversation into the tasteless dough of existence.
― O. Henry (and me)