Come sweetheart, listen, for I have a thing
Most wonderful to tell you - news of Spring.
Albeit Winter still is in the air,
and the Earth troubled, and the branches bare,
yet down the fields today I saw her pass -
The Spring - her feet went shining through the grass.
She touched the rugged hedgerows - I have seen
her fingerprints, most delicately green.
And she has whispered to the crocus leaves,
And to the garrulous sparrows in the eaves.
Swiftly she passed and shyly, and her fair
Young face was hidden in her cloudy hair.
She would not stay, her season is not yet,
But she has reawakened, and has set
The sap of all the world astir, and rent
Once more the shadows of our discontent.
Triumphant news - a miracle I sing -
The everlasting miracle of Spring.
John Drinkwater
English poet and playwright
1882-1937
Triumphant news indeed. Whose spirits do not lighten on days such as these.
Yes, really! Love your beautiful pictures and JD's poem.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful!
ReplyDeleteLovely, Friko.
ReplyDeleteYou made me feel fine with this post, Friko
ReplyDeleteI think you have awakened too, my friend. Oh, your spring is quite beautiful. The world is coming alive again after the dark gloom of winter. I smile.
ReplyDeleteTerrific photos. I think you have to have very cold winters to really appreciate spring, as you do.
ReplyDeleteGreat spring photos to go along with a beautiful spring poem.
ReplyDeleteI hope your spirit is as joyous as the poem and this post! You have lifted my spirits - and we are heading into winter!
ReplyDeleteThis is a gorgeous posting! Triumphant yes - your garden photos are a delight Friko. Ja, and I too do hope your spirit resembles a bit the spirit of spring, I wish for you! I hope your beloved man is in better health. I hope the ghosts of winter and depression went away - pufffff up in spring air. :-)
ReplyDeleteI want to thank you for your lovely comment. I fell into the Facebook trap, easy and quick posting, there is laziness in it and instant satisfaction - not so good, I neglect my blog because of this. I will take your comment as a helper to go back to more seriousness. Big Hug for you!
Wonderful!
ReplyDeleteI watched whirling snowflakes from my office window on Tuesday with much dismay, but yesterday was sunny (if cold), and we are hoping for a milder weekend.
Your Bauernbüble are already out! What are they called in English? Grape hyacinth?
In absence of a garden of my own thank you for sharing yours (with, so it appears, a revived spring in your step).
ReplyDeleteU
Ah, yes. Spring is popping up all around us and for that there is joy in every scene. This a a lovely post, Friko.
ReplyDeleteJohn Drinkwater is new to me, but his words certainly convey the refreshment of spring after winter's long slog. So many of your flowers are new, too, but I recognize a few: the grape hyacinth, the crocus. Well, that's only two, but at least non-gardener me could recognize some.
ReplyDeleteSpring's on a delicate rampage here, too. A week ago, I was excited to spot two evening primroses. Now, colonies are popping up, and I'm taking my camera with me to work, so I can get some pics of lavender "something" I saw in a vacant lot. Autumn really is my favorite season -- at least, until Spring comes around. Fickle, I am.
Hi Friko - amazing shots and I love the poem - absolutely perfect ... I must read up some more on Mr John Drinkwater - wonderful wording - certainly describing Spring as she eases her way out into the sunshine, before retreating from the east wind.
ReplyDeleteYour comment on my blog was completely right - I could (and had) written considerably more .. but needed to shorten the concepts somewhat ... thankfully bloggers are interested and kind enough to add in pertinent snippets to various posts I write - which gives that extra zest to writing blog posts ...
Cheers and enjoy the advent of Spring .. it is coming - the cold wind bloweth for now - Hilary
So lovely. We are emerging from a very rainy winter and everything is green, green, green. Just the right color for St. Paddy's Day. Love the poem and also appreciate the comments you leave on my blog, Friko. :-)
ReplyDeleteWonderful, wonderful, wonderful.
ReplyDeleteThat was special Friko and I hope it reflects something of a lightening of spirit for you. The poem touched me deeply and has left me a bit teary, which I find very odd. It is so beautiful and hopeful. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteAll the colors and the shades of green lighten my spirit. I hope they do the same for you.
ReplyDeleteThis was beautiful to read and to see!
ReplyDeleteIt is snowing here--LOL! ;)
As I scrolled through the photos and the words (a new-to-me poem), the smile on my face grew wider and wider. Welcome, welcome to spring!
ReplyDeleteWonderful! Thank you.
ReplyDeleteJust beautiful
ReplyDeleteYes , it's almost possible to believe that it'll all turn green again !
ReplyDeleteLove spring. And autumn. My two favourite seasons. Death and rebirth. Beautiful pictures. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteGreetings from London.
Looks like Spring has arrived for you! :)
ReplyDeleteWonderful words, perfectly illustrated. Thank you!
ReplyDelete=)
Just wonderfully lovely - beautiful photos and marvelous Spring words.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful words
ReplyDeleteand images...
beautiful images. there is such a sense of relief and joy when those first spring blooms assure us that winter is receding.
ReplyDeleteJohn Drinkwater's poetry is so beautiful, thanks Friko you chose it for illustrate your lovely pictures. I especially liked the landscape picture #3.
ReplyDeleteI think Drinkwater borrowed Robert Lewis Stevenson's conceit from his poem 'Wind,' where the wind makes a noise like "ladies skirts across the grass." The photos are wonderful, however. My Helebore are in bloom also. Ah Spring!
ReplyDeletewhat a charming rondel.
ReplyDeleteYou really captured the spring beauty here, Friko :)
ReplyDeleteJust checking you're okay? Beautiful post.
ReplyDeleteWonderful!
ReplyDeleteYes indeed. Simply beautiful. Your photos perfect accompany this poem of the awakening of spring and of our spirits.
ReplyDeleteThat is a beautiful ode to spring and even the poet's name is refreshing, Drinkwater. Your garden and other photos are very spring like and I hope you are feeling light and good.
ReplyDeleteThinking of you dear friend. Spring is just what I need right now. Blessings to you and yours.
ReplyDeleteLovely photos to represent such verse!
ReplyDeleteWell, you won't let us praise your insight, mourn your sadness, give unwanted or unneeded advice, or send cheery useless comments to your most recent post. It IS your blog after all. I have been thinking this past year how I might handle such a situation, even though there does not seem to be anything pending in my future immediately. We do care about you, and we are interested in how you manage, because we will all be there sooner or later. But I accept that you have your own way of handling things and will wait hoping you find the light to return someday.
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry to read your latest post. Do whatever you need, and know that you are in our hearts.
ReplyDeleteThis post is lovely Friko, I like the photo of the green pasture where the sheep are very small. I am sending you a hug from California upon reading your most recent post.
ReplyDeleteI too am so very sorry to read your latest post. You helped me a great deal this winter when I was beside myself: I am sorry that we cannot help you with your present trouble. I don't consider you to be 'wallowing': just trying not to drown.
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry to read your last post, not only to read about your husbands illness, but of your sadness and depression. It is a difficult thing to be the caregiver. I hope that you do whatever your need to take care of yourself and that sometime you come back and let us know how you are.
ReplyDeleteI love reading your posts as your writing inspires me!
Take care, my prayers are with you.
I see that you are not accepting new comments, and I understand. How strange that after so much time I just thought about you.
ReplyDeleteYou, who have lifted the spirits of so many, deserve my gratitude and best wishes for family health restored.
ReplyDeleteI am sad for you both and send hugs...
ReplyDeleteJust sending a smile.....
ReplyDeleteSuch a beautiful post about spring, which contrasts with the very sad news in your most recent post. It's so important to grieve such deep loss.
ReplyDeleteIt is the renewal that comes yearly that is spectacular in some areas more than others and it tends to bring with it a feeling of renewed faith of life and it's force.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful -- and beautiful that spring is spring, no matter how winter-like our lives may seem. I hope the spring moments break through for you. I am holding you and your beloved in my heart.
ReplyDelete