Winter Rules Here!

If we had any doubts whatsoever that Winter is in charge around here, those doubts will be erased this week with predictions of lots of snow, very strong winds, and bitter-cold temperatures. There's no use fighting it; we might as well try to enjoy it!

Here are a couple of nice winter poems by two masters, Robert Frost, and A. R. Ammons. When I was 12 years old, I heard, via television, Robert Frost recite poems at John F. Kennedy's inauguration (that was January 20, 1961). It was the day after a heavy snow, with terrific sun glare shining on the text of Robert Frost's new poem. Frost was in his mid 80's, but still had a magic and vigor about him--perfect for the inauguration of Jack Kennedy. When the wind and sun interfered with the reading of his new poem, Frost switched gears and recited from memory his poem "The Gift Outright." Our country has been the "gift outright" to us and to the world; let's restore that dream.

For the full text of the unrecited poem, "Dedication," and the poem Frost did recite, "The Gift Outright," click here: http://www.pbs.org/newshour/inauguration/frost_poem.html For a bit of discussion on Frost that day, Janury 20, 1961, click here: http://www.orwelltoday.com/jfkinaugpoem.shtml

Here are a couple of non-political poems that speak of unexpected grace and gift:


“Dust of Snow”

The way a crow
Shook down on me
The dust of snow
From a hemlock tree
Has given my heart
A change of mood
And saved some part
Of a day I had rued.

Robert Frost




“Winter Scene”

There is now not a single
leaf on the cherry tree:

except when the jay
plummets in, lights, and,

in pure clarity, squalls:
then every branch

quivers and
breaks out in blue leaves.

A.R. Ammons