Beginning With Poetry
01/01/2021
Happy New Year!
I'm choosing to begin this new year . . . with poetry.
==
To the New Year
by W.S. Merwin
With what stillness at last
you appear in the valley
your first sunlight reaching down
to touch the tips of a few
high leaves that do not stir
as though they had not noticed
and did not know you at all
then the voice of a dove calls
from far away in itself
to the hush of the morning
so this is the sound of you
here and now whether or not
anyone hears it this is
where we have come with our age
our knowledge such as it is
and our hopes such as they are
invisible before us
untouched and still possible
==
May this new year be full of possibility and hope for us all!
Today's poem is one I read every New Year's Day. You may see it around quite a lot today, because really . . . could there be a more perfect poem to welcome the new year? It's worth reading (and sharing) over and over again.
W. S. Merwin, “To the New Year” from Present Company (Port Townsend, Washington: Copper Canyon Press, 2005). Copyright © 2005 by W. S. Merwin.
You can learn more about the poet and find links so some of his other poems here.
Thank you for the good start—and for last night's wishes!
Posted by: Carolyn | 01/01/2021 at 10:52 AM
That's a perfect poem for the first day of the year. I'm ready for hope and possibility, that's for sure! Happy New Year, Kym. XOXO
Posted by: Carole | 01/01/2021 at 12:53 PM
I'm not sure how I've missed Merwin and his poetry but I'm thankful for the introduction now! I've just read some more at the poetry foundation link and really enjoyed his nature poems. Thanks for sharing!
Posted by: Bonny | 01/01/2021 at 01:22 PM
That's lovely. Thanks and Happy New Year!
Posted by: Claudia | 01/02/2021 at 09:09 AM
Believe it or not, I've never encountered this poem before, so thank you so much for sharing it! It's definitely the perfect thing for New Year's Day. Happy new year, Kym!
Posted by: Sarah | 01/02/2021 at 10:02 AM
Happy New Year, Kym! Checking in with your blog is one of my (almost) daily highlights. I’ve learned a lot from your posts about fitness, books, meditation, poetry, and reflections on life. Not to mention knitting, which got me here in the first place. Thank you for posting!
Looking forward to following you through 2021.
Jeanne
Posted by: Jeanne Montie | 01/03/2021 at 07:53 AM
Oh boy... I read this at the perfect time! Thank you for sharing it! (and Happy New Year!)
Posted by: Kat | 01/03/2021 at 06:22 PM