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.
O’er the bare upland, and away
Through the long reach of desert woods,
The embracing sunbeams chastely play,
And gladden these deep solitudes.
Where, twisted round the barren oak,
The summer vine in beauty clung,
And summer winds the stillness broke,
The crystal icicle is hung.
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.
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!
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.
• • •
Photos ©2014, Jen Payne
Very nice!
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Indeed! Weird winter days here. It was 2 degrees Saturday morning, 54 today. New England!
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BEAUTIFUL shots! I’d say that walk was more than worthwhile!
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It was a perfect first action for the new year!
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Brings back winter memories of childhood. Beautiful images… but, brrrrrrrrr!
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Are you from the East Coast?
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Wonderful Post Old Man Winter is cracking his knees over us right now! LOL
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That’s for sure! Although we got a bit of a reprieve this morning – 54 degrees? Go figure!
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I know it’s going to be almost 36 today! What a shelf!
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It was twice as hot here yesterday as it was the day before – 20 degrees! : )
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Were having a HEATWAVE… a tropical Heatwave…
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LOL!
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What an incredible walk. The photos are making me jealous, as always. I want to walk there! Thanks for sharing these places, Jen.
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You should come walk sometime! : )
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Don’t ask twice! If I’m ever up, that way, I’m strapping on the hiking boots – after I buy them.
😉
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You are welcome any time!
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😉
Thanks.
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Wonderful photographs! The in particular is quite beautiful. 🙂
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Thanks! : )
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