Thursday, February 17, 2011

Woods in Winter by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

When winter winds are piercing chill,

And through the hawthorn blows the gale,

With solemn feet I tread the hill,

That overbrows the lonely vale.

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O'er the bare upland, and away

Through the long reach of desert woods,

The embracing sunbeams chastely play,

And gladden these deep solitudes.

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Where, twisted round the barren oak,

The summer vine in beauty clung,

And summer winds the stillness broke,

The crystal icicle is hung.

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Where, from their frozen urns, mute springs

Pour out the river's gradual tide,

Shrilly the skater's iron rings,

And voices fill the woodland side.

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Alas! how changed from the fair scene,

When birds sang out their mellow lay,

And winds were soft, and woods were green,

And the song ceased not with the day!

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But still wild music is abroad,

Pale, desert woods! within your crowd;

And gathering winds, in hoarse accord,

Amid the vocal reeds pipe loud.

-

Chill airs and wintry winds! my ear

Has grown familiar with your song;

I hear it in the opening year,

I listen, and it cheers me long.

-

19 comments:

Sylvia K said...

Gorgeous, snowy capture and Wordsworth's words are perfect!! Terrific Skywatch post for the day -- for any day, actually! Hope you have a wonderful weekend!

Sylvia

Caroline Gill said...

More Longfellow than Wordsworth, Sylvia! A breath of fresh (cool) air.

Mary Howell Cromer said...

Just a very peaceful and lovely setting~

Eaglesbrother said...

Great Winter scene..

nonizamboni said...

Beautiful capture and reminder;
But still wild music is abroad
Our snow is melting daily :O)

Laura said...

absolutely beautiful!

Kay L. Davies said...

Beautiful photo, and I have always loved Longfellow.
-- K

Kay, Alberta, Canada
An Unfittie's Guide to Adventurous Travel

Stewart M said...

What a great combination.

Cheers

Stewart M.

PS: How do you get to be the first post so often?!!!

Lakshmi said...

a lovely poem and a great pic to go with it..have a great weekend

Liz said...

The perfect words for a beautiful sky.

Anonymous said...

Wonderful words for the song of that blue sky.

forgetmenot said...

Beautiful winter scene--I'd like to be there. Mickie

Dhemz said...

very nice...great shot!
Take a peek at my SkyWatch Friday entry as well. Thanks!

Kerry said...

That is a beautiful shot.

Tarun Mitra said...

Beautiful picture...really goes well with WW

Reader Wil said...

Beautiful strong poem! Very appropriate for the photo.

Anonymous said...

wonderful sentiment for this time of year, and a great photo too. thanks.

Míriam Luiza said...

Achei linda esta foto de neve, mas gostei também do texto!

Sally in WA said...

Wonderful snowy and cold capture. :)