This was the view on Day 2 of 2009 when my daughter and I stopped at my parents' home in Newtown, Connecticut. They live near a brook along which there once ran a rail line. The tracks are still visible in some places; where they are not, the straight lines of where they used to be persist. The clouds muffled all sound on a very peaceful day that brought snow showers and plenty of reasons to stay inside and enjoy heat and light and the company of my family. Days like this always bring to mind Christina Rossetti's 1872 poem "In the Bleak Midwinter" about the birth of Christ into the metaphorical cold of this world:
My World Tuesday
In the bleak mid-winter
Frosty wind made moan,
Earth stood hard as iron,
Water like a stone;
Snow had fallen, snow on snow,
Snow on snow,
In the bleak mid-winter
Long ago.
Our God, Heaven cannot hold Him
Nor earth sustain;
Heaven and earth shall flee away
When He comes to reign:
In the bleak mid-winter
A stable-place sufficed
The Lord God Almighty,
Jesus Christ....
What can I give Him,
Poor as I am?
If I were a shepherd
I would bring a lamb,
If I were a wise man
I would do my part,
Yet what I can I give Him,
Give my heart.
Frosty wind made moan,
Earth stood hard as iron,
Water like a stone;
Snow had fallen, snow on snow,
Snow on snow,
In the bleak mid-winter
Long ago.
Our God, Heaven cannot hold Him
Nor earth sustain;
Heaven and earth shall flee away
When He comes to reign:
In the bleak mid-winter
A stable-place sufficed
The Lord God Almighty,
Jesus Christ....
What can I give Him,
Poor as I am?
If I were a shepherd
I would bring a lamb,
If I were a wise man
I would do my part,
Yet what I can I give Him,
Give my heart.
My World Tuesday
54 Comments
Beautiful photos and a lovely poem to match; thanks for that -- a wonderful way to start a winter week!
ReplyDeleteTranquility is a word that comes to mind as I join you in your stroll through this winter landscape. It's lovely, indeed.
ReplyDeleteIt's especially delightful to share such a walk with someone. I like to watch conversations leave gauzy puffs where words mingle with air and linger overhead.
Good memories in the making.
What a lovely post, Sandy...thank you for sharing it!
ReplyDeleteSandi
thanks for some lovely winter scenes there is a serenity in this season and the unbusyness of nature, resting, waiting to be reborn. lovely poem also. enjoyed spending some time just thinking while enjoying your post today.
ReplyDeleteIt's amazing how cold it can be when the sun is on the other side of the earth. I have to say the stream looks lovely. I just wish my feet stopped tingling, for sure my toes will itch tomorrow... I don't have the habit of weather like this! Or boots, big colourful wool lined boots would do...
ReplyDeleteLovely! I love the bare trees and the water with the snow everywhere. I would love to take a walk there!
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely place to take a walk!
ReplyDeleteSandy: Wonderful shared with the spring of water flowing through the cold earth.
ReplyDeleteLovely photos Sandy. I have never read this poem before. It seems so appropriate for this time of year.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photos and a lovely poem to go with it! Perfect! Thank you for sharing!
ReplyDeleteI've always marveled at the sound dampening quality of snow. I suppose I shouldn't be surprised, but I am. Every time. Besides the aesthetic, that's one of its more endearing qualities in my mind.
ReplyDeleteExcellent photos, Sandy! And lovely poem! Thank for those shots! :)
ReplyDeleteLovely poem. Winter landscape holds so much attraction to me. Happy 2009.
ReplyDeleteI can feel the crunch of the snow under foot... I can see the frosty breath...
ReplyDeleteI can hear the brook and the cacophony of silence...
Great shots (esp the 2nd) and a great poem Sandy.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful post Sandy and thanks for showing us the lovely snowy walk in your part of the world.
ReplyDeleteThe photos are awesome. I love the snow, the quietness of it --- and the poem was so very personal and profound --- good choice.
ReplyDeleteI've never seen snow... that's why I appreciate those pic sooo much. I love the poem.
ReplyDeleteI have the lovely walk but not the the lovely snow.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful snowy shots. I am soooo jealous, here in PA waiting for some of the white stuff.
ReplyDeleteThis is a lovely choral piece for middle voices as well. Beautiful shots.....
ReplyDeleteWOW Sandy I am entranced w/ the beauty of the snow and rock together it makes me homesick for OHIO and the poem you chose adds such a depth
ReplyDeleteThat stream is beautiful!
ReplyDeleteLovely photos, Sandy. I imagine a walk there would be very peaceful, because even the photos exude peace.
ReplyDeleteNothing bleak about your photos Sandy they are great capturing things so well making me feel cold just looking.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your world with us and thanks for your kind comments.
Lovely wintry photos. I liked reading the background to them.
ReplyDeleteI especially enjoy seeing that beautiful grinning photo of your blog friend, Suzanne, may she R.I.P. I was out of the blog world for quite some time so I didn't know her that way, but I used to read Amias' blogs regularly. It's palpable how much you all miss her so.
Great shots of the snow in the woods. Wonderful poem. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteSimply beautiful area, I would love to take my dogs for a walk there. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteCheers and Happy New Year!
Regina In Pictures
Wonderful photographs. Winter is all around us now. I have never read that poem before, but it was very fitting.
ReplyDeleteT
Beautiful snow scenery. The snow looked like an art in the ground. Happy Tuesday.
ReplyDeleteI have never seen so much snow, these are beautiful shots Sandy!
ReplyDeleteHi sandy, beautiful poetry and photos as usual! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteSandy, these landscapes are so beautiful. I enjoyed them very much.
ReplyDeleteReally very nice the quote of Christina Rossetti's poem.
Beautiful scenery and shots!! how about a hot chocolate now??
ReplyDelete:)
I'd love to take a stroll down that path myself. Except that I'm not so sure if I can take the cold!
ReplyDeleteHi Sandy. Thanks for sharing your cold weather with us. I wore long sleeves yesterday and may again today if the sun doesn't show. Beautiful poem from the old school. Pappy
ReplyDeleteYour photos are all beautiful, but the first one of the brook really spoke to me. Lovely!
ReplyDelete~Angie
www.thearthurclanphotos.blogspot.com
Great photos! One day I will find the exact word to describe the feeling snow images invoke. Tranquility, yes, but an excited feeling too.
ReplyDeleteSnow and cold is just like pouring rain, frightening to go out in when you look out the window, but such fun once you are out there enjoying the elements.
ReplyDeleteLovely shots and that poem touches me so hard every time I read that...
ReplyDeletethank you Sandy.:)
wishes,
devika
Awesome photos and great post!
ReplyDeleteLove the pictures-and the poem is one of my very favorites!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous photos symbolic of peace and a sense of inner reflection!
ReplyDeleteLovely landscape of place & thought. I enjoyed strolling through both, and still have snow in my hair (no mean feat in Waikiki.0
ReplyDeleteWell done. Thank you. aloha-
Beautiful photos. I miss the snow sometimes. It is so pretty. It can get cold out here in winter, but it never snows.
ReplyDeleteFirst time visiting and I love your blog and photos. So beautiful and serene. I will return.
ReplyDeleteKathleen from RI
Beautiful words and the pictures are great - if cold.
ReplyDeleteWow, fantastic photos and beautiful words! Lovely Sandy.
ReplyDeletePS:Did you get my OSI info. for the next 2 weeks, I sent via email a couple of days ago.
Thanks for the poem!!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photos and adorable poem dear Sandy! Enjoy the beauty of the snow and the happiness of being with your family.
ReplyDeleteFriendly greetings,
I love this poem/hymn and had it on my list of things to put on my blog soon!
ReplyDeleteLove snow photos almost as much as the original white stuff! I especially like the first one.
ReplyDeleteThe only snow that remains here after 4 days of rain on top of our 12 days of snow is from the piles of snow in parking lots and an occasional sheltered spot. I am hoping for more before winter is over. Would love a white birthday on Monday but weatherman says warm weather and not even rain. Oh well, we had a white Christmas, the first in many years.
These photos look so quiet and peaceful. Nature is sleeping.
ReplyDeletethe sound or ice cold water rushing downstream
ReplyDelete+
the sound of silence
= BLISSFUL!
Happy New Year!
From Flipland
Thanks for being here.