Winter

Winter

Thursday, March 8, 2012

Its Spring Again

This morning, I looked outside my windows, and all around me the the signs of spring. This was the first thing I looked at and as I stared at the pink flowers against the blue of the sky and the white of the fence, I realized, spring is really here. As I watched the meadowlarks in the yard, this poem by Celia Thaxter came to me.
I had to share it once again, as her words are so much better than my own.

Spring Again

I stood on the height in the stillness
  And the planet's outline scanned,
And half was drawn with the line of the sea
  and half with the far blue land.

With wings that caught the sunshine
  In the crystal deeps of the sky,
Like shapes of dreams, the gleaming gulls
   Went slowly floating by.

Below me the boats in the harbor
   Lay still, with their white sails furled;
Sighing away into silence,
   The breeze died off the world.

On the weather-worn, ancient ledges
   Peaceful the calm light slept;
And the chilly shadows, lengthening,
   Slow to the eastward crept.

The snow still lay in the hollows,
   And where the salt waves met
The iron rock, all ghastly white
   The thick ice glimmered yet.

But the smile of the sun was kinder,
   The touch of the air was sweet;
The pulse of the cruel ocean seemed
   Like a human heart to beat.

Frost-locked, storm-beaten, and lonely,
   In the midst of the wintery main,
Our bleak rock yet the tidings heard;
   "There shall be spring again!"

Worth all the waiting and watching,
   The woe that the winter wrought,
Was the passion of gratitude that shook
   My soul at the blissful thought!

Soft rain and flowers and sunshine,
   Sweet winds and brooding skies,
Quick-flitting birds to fill the air
   With clear delicious cries;

And the warm sea's mellow murmur
   Resounding day and night;
A thousand shapes and tints and tones
   Of manifold delight,

Nearer and ever nearer
   Drawing with every day!
But a little longer to wait and watch
   'Neath skies so cold and gray;

And hushed is the roar of the bitter north
   before the might of the spring,
And up the frozen slope of the world
   Climbs summer, triumphing.
(Celia Thaxter)
Thank you for visiting today, may your life today be filled with joy and blessing. May the warmth of the sun, and the warming of the earth fill you with the lovely promise of spring.
~Kim~

21 comments:

Larkrise garden girl said...

Kim,I love poetry , I always wanted to go to Appledore. Have you read Celia Thaxters book it's called An island garden one of my first gardening books about her garden on the island.
I loved your post! Cheri

TexWisGirl said...

i guess that last windstorm blew it in for you. :)

Marti said...

What a great poem, and accompanying pictures. Spring is here also. I am so glad. Have a beautiful day.

Nellie said...

A lovely poem! We are fearful that our "early spring" will mean bad news for us later, with the possibility of a late frost. That would really be terrible for the orchards around here.
Have a good day!

Jacque. said...

Beautiful post. Thank you.

Dog Trot Farm said...

Lovely Celia Thaxter poem, this summer I vow to get to Appledore. It was a balmy 65 degrees here today, Spring is just a doorstep away. Lovely header photo Kim, thank you for sharing. Your friend from Maine, Julie.

myletterstoemily said...

thank you for sharing this sweet poem! your photos
are lovely, too. it's always so refreshing to visit your
place.

we've been traveling, and i've missed your sweet 'face.'

Julia said...

We have no blooms yet but today was almost like summer. The sun was shining and the snow was melting so fast. It finally felt like a beautiful spring day.I even open a few doors and windows, can you believe.

Your pink blossom is breathtakingly beautiful.

Thanks for the lovely blessings and poem. Hugs. JB

Homeschool on the Croft said...

What beautiful sights.... the colours are so vivid and summery and bright and sunny. They definitely cheer up our day here in the *very* windy, cool and wet Isle of Lewis :)

Sassafras and Winterberry said...

I love Celia Thaxter and we live near her island and gardens. I've read her garden book years ago...and still have it! Such an inspiration! Your photos are wonderful!!
Hugs,
Courtney

Maryann said...

Your pink flowers make me smile...ahhh spring :0

Kim said...

It was Spring here today too (minus the blossoms)

no spring chicken said...

That poem, your pictures and your blessing definitely have me feeling warmer. And all the same spilling right back to you!

Blessings, Debbie

Janettessage.blogspot.com said...

Just beautiful...and it brought warmth to this cloudy, rainy, cold day...spring will return here also!
I enjoyed the spring hug and sending one your way!
Have a great weekend!!

Patrice said...

Yesterday was full-fledged spring. Today the weather woke up and said "Well maybe not."I'm looking at a camelia bush that says it is definitely spring. There must be sixty or so blossoms on it. I like you pictures.Lovely poem.I hope all are doing well there! Gigantic hug to you!

Dianne said...

Lovely photos and post! It seems it has been a gentle, almost short winter...nevertheless, I'm ready for Spring!

Nezzy (Cow Patty Surprise) said...

What wonderful photos and beautiful words to frame it!!!

I loved seein' all those colorful bloomers, it gives me hope. We had cold sleet yesterday.

God bless and have a fantastic weekend sweetie!!! :o)

Pom Pom said...

Hi Kim!
We had some warm sunshine today, too! We took the test-weary students out after lunch and they were like lambs romping about! Thank you for the beautiful poem.

Debbie said...

we are a little behind you but almost there....i just can't wait!! those pink blooms are makin' me smile!!

Empty Nester said...

It's so hard for me to appreciate spring this year since winter never bothered to show up. Love your pictures! And I am excited to get some flowers planted- so all is not lost.

Anonymous said...

Wow, love those cherry blossoms!