Friday 18 December 2020

The 'taste' of Winter

 In Spring I always think 'Lovliest of trees the cherry now'.   In Autum n- as Tom always tries to be first to remind us - it is 'Season of mists and mellow fruitfulness'.   And at this season - as someone (Thelma?) told us - it was this Thomas Hardy:


This is the weather the shepherd shuns

and so do I.

When beeches drip in browns and duns

and thresh and ply.

And hill-hid tides throb throe and throe

And meadow rivulets overflow,

and drops on gate bars hang in a row,

and rooks in families homeward go ....

And so do I.

 

My sentiments exactly but Thomas Hardy can say it better and in so fewer words.   It was only as the rooks passed over late afternoon in the pouring rain - a bedraggled lot - that I was reminded of it.  No-one can say it better

21 comments:

Terra said...

A bedraggled flock of rooks in the rain, I can picture it, especially with the poem.

justjill said...

Excellent. Wish I had the words come so easy. Rooks abound round here.

Rachel Phillips said...

They are beautiful words to describe winter.

Heather said...

Winter sounds so much more acceptable when written in beautiful poetry. As I listened to the morning news and looked out at the pouring rain and blustery wind the words that came to me were 'Now is the winter of our discontent'!

Minigranny said...

I've been thinking of The Darkling Thrush another Thomas Hardy poem which to me fits this winter.

CharlotteP said...

It was a bedraggled day altogether

Bonnie said...

A wonderful description of the season. Even in winter the seasons take on a life of their own. I hope you are feeling well today.

Amanda said...

The poem reminded me of some of the passages in one of my favorite books, The Outermost House by Henry Beston. Back in the 1920s, Beston spent a year in a simple cottage on Cape Cod, writing about landscape he found himself in. Many of the results are downright poetical. The book has stayed in print in the US ever since and was re-printed in the UK for its 75th anniversary. Recommended very highly.

Debby said...

To me, winter is a time to hole up and feel grateful for our snug warm houses I will not mention the fact that my husband has just started the first fire of the year and filled the house with smoke. I'm hiding in the office with the door shut. He's got every window in the library thrown open, so my house is not all that snug OR warm at the minute! It's the slow season, and time for quiet and remembering.

I have to look at it that way, or it would just be unbearable. :)

Have a good day.

Joanne Noragon said...

Thank you for keeping your rooks in mind.

Susan said...

The bleakness of Winter is softened by the occasional sunshine and dreams of Spring and rebirth. Winter has a beauty unto itself.

Cro Magnon said...

I noticed a group of white Egrets yesterday, standing around with some Cows. I can't imagine why they come here for Winter!

it's me said...

Perfect for the days we’ve been having.

Librarian said...

Debby's comment made me smile! I hope your house has quickly returned to its usual, warm and snug self :-)

Pat, winter can be so different from one day to the other, can't it. I love the special winter sun light on a clear, frosty morning, and when it is wet and grey out there, I am grateful for the time I do NOT have to spend outdoors, for instance waiting for my train to work. We've had beautiful sunny days this week, rather mild, no snow in sight.

John "By Stargoose And Hanglands" said...

"A man that is a shepherd does need a valiant heart
He must not be faint-hearted but boldly do his part
He must not be faint-hearted be it rain or frost or snow
For there no ale upon the wold where stormy winds do blow"
- from the traditional song "We Shepherds Are The Best Of Men", collected your home county of Lincolnshire.

Carruthers said...

Set to music by John Ireland and the African American composer, Florence B Price... And others, I'm sure, because I've been looking on YouTube but I can't find the setting I think I can vaguely remember!

The Weaver of Grass said...

Thank you John and Carruthers for that - I had never heard of it.

We all seem to be of one heart where winter is concerned.

Tom Stephenson said...

Shepherds and Thomas Hardy. Difficult to think of one without the other.

Anonymous said...

Love Thomas hardy and his description of 'A puddle of boiling leaves' wonderful mental picture Jane xx

CharlotteP said...

Thank you for the information about Jupiter and Saturn. I will look out for them, and send you thoughts for a speedy recovery and a much happier new year while I do so.

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