The Cold
How exactly good it is
to know myself
in the solitude of winter,
my body containing its own
warmth, divided from all
by the cold; and to go
separate and sure
among the trees cleanly
divided, thinking of you
perfect too in your solitude,
your life withdrawn into
your own keeping
--to be clear, poised
in perfect self-suspension
toward you, as though frozen.
And having known fully the
goodness of that, it will be
good also to melt.
Wendell Berry, Collected Poems
It's ironic that the gal who found this book for me hates winter so much. This poem describes just about everything I love about winter so much, how you can't appreciate the warmth until you've been out in the cold. There's nothing like the first cool day in the fall to give you a break from the heat of the summer, & there's also nothing like that first really warm day in the spring that reminds you how good it is to get outside. Michigan is the perfect place for this kind of feeling.
Five Favorite Songs of the Day
Lo! How a Rose E're Blooming-Some Choir on Blue Lake Public Radio
Atomic Power-Uncle Tupelo, March 16-20, 1992
Where Are You Tonight?-Bob Dylan, Street Legal
It Ain't Me, Babe-Bob Dylan, NYC 2001
Wait For the Light to Shine-Bob Dylan, NYC 2001 (song by Hank Williams)
Happy Monday, friends...
andrew
everything you ever wanted to know about nothing at all...
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About Me
- andrew!
- Grand Haven, Michigan
- the sun shines on a dog's ass every now & then...
3 comments:
It is ironic :) I'm glad you've already started reading it. Since you posted a poem from the book, I'll take that to mean that its not half bad.
That is a near perfect poem and that "good to melt" part means tons. Your song list only included one I haven't heard. Another record set. Joyce
I liked the poem too as I'm sitting in my cold resource room waiting for the air duct to blow out warm air again. Mom
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