Welcoming 2022 With Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Posted byRebecca BuddPosted inClanmother, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, New Year's, PoetsTags:, , , , ,

Happy New Year!

I love beginnings, a fresh start, a new adventure and promises of open roads and opportunities. Energy, anticipation, and hope are all wrapped up in “firsts.” Oh, the rush of adrenaline as we race into the future.


I am thankful that we begin each new year in the winter season. I seek the winter walks where I meet with silence in the soft snow. As Henry Wadsworth Longfellow penned many years ago, “Out of the bosom of the Air, Out of the cloud-fold of her garments shaken….:


January is my time for reflection, of preparation for all that will come when the earth awakens with spring rains.

Snowflakes by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow


Out of the bosom of the Air, 
      Out of the cloud-folds of her garments shaken, 
Over the woodlands brown and bare, 
      Over the harvest-fields forsaken, 
            Silent, and soft, and slow 
            Descends the snow. 

Even as our cloudy fancies take 
      Suddenly shape in some divine expression, 
Even as the troubled heart doth make 
      In the white countenance confession, 
            The troubled sky reveals 
            The grief it feels. 

This is the poem of the air, 
      Slowly in silent syllables recorded; 
This is the secret of despair, 
      Long in its cloudy bosom hoarded, 
            Now whispered and revealed 
            To wood and field.

Published by Rebecca Budd

Blogger, Visual Storyteller, Podcaster, Traveler and Life-long Learner

55 thoughts on “Welcoming 2022 With Henry Wadsworth Longfellow”

    1. Oh, Robbie – it is cold, but not as cold as Edmonton Alberta where my brothers live. There is another snowstorm coming, so it is a great time to find “winter poetry.” This is one that came into my inbox this morning:

      Here in the Time of the Winter Morn by William Moore
      Here in the time of the Winter morn, Love,
      I see the Sunlit leaves of changing hue
      Burn clear against a sky of tender blue,
      Here in the time of the Winter morn, Love.
      Here in the time of the Winter morn, Love,
      I hear the low tone bells of changing song
      Ring clear upon the air the full day long,
      Here in the time of the Winter morn, Love.
      I hear the bells, I see the changing leaves,
      And one lone heart for Summer silent grieves,
      Here in the time of the Winter morn, Love.

      I appreciate that you recite poetry, Robbie. I’m hoping that these short videos will inspire others to recite poetry. This past year, poetry has been an invaluable light within ambiguity.

      Liked by 2 people

    1. I am trying to work up courage to read “Evangeline” – something that I promised Mary Jo that I would try one day. That one day is still not “here”, but it is still “there.”

      Liked by 3 people

  6. A beautiful reading Rebecca from Longfellow. And hard to believe you in Vancouver got our usual terrible winter of the east. Stay warm and Happy New Year. ❤

    Liked by 2 people

    1. And another snow storm on its way. I have stocked up on tea and hot chocolate and am enjoying catching up on your Sunday Book Review. Picture Poetry, A lake Sambell Walk by Frank Prem.

      Liked by 1 person

    1. Yes!!! I can see his words, Colleen! I confess that sometimes I have to take three or four videos because I start to cry in the middle of the poem. The words are so beautiful that it is difficult to say them aloud without an emotional response.

      Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you for your lovely comments, Jennifer. I am working myself up to read “Evangeline” by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. A few years ago I visited Grand Pre in Nova Scotia and was inspired by this poem. It came alive to me. How is it possible that we have a snowstorm coming and you have rain? Usually it is the other way around!!! Happy New Year.

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    1. Thank you so much for joining me in the snow. I love Emily Dickinson’s definition of poetry: If I feel physically as if the top of my head were taken off, I know that is poetry.” Happy New Year!! Sending hugs!

      Liked by 1 person

    1. I am delighted that you joined me on a snowy day in Vancouver, Tiffany. We have more snow coming in a couple of days, but the rain is in the ascendency and has suggested that the snow needs to more on…. Happy New Year, my friend. Looking forward to what comes next in 2022.

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    1. Hi Pam – those were people walking around the small lagoon that is adjacent to Charleson park, an off lease dog area. It is the happiest place to visit!! This is a favourite pathway for runners, walkers and bikers (on a separate pathway). Vancouver had snow on Christmas Day and it stayed for a few days and will stay longer at the upper levels in North Vancouver. The lagoon does have a thin layer of ice but it wouldn’t hold skaters. Looking forward to our 2022 adventures!

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  13. That really is a very poignant poem, Rebecca. Thank you for introducing an unfamiliar Longfellow work. There’s a profound sense of sorrow which your beautiful backdrop unintentionally belies. Our anticipation for the white stuff to come and cover the dreary landscape is met with something less light, more heavy. The release of sky grief onto our own winter of discontent….We finally have our first substantial snow fall, and its brightness is very welcome. Just a fascinating piece, Rebecca. Hugs+++

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    1. I am working up to reciting Evangeline, Mary Jo, something that I promised you a couple of years ago. It is rather daunting. YIKES!!! Longfellow had a profound understanding of grief. His choice of words – “this is a poem of the air” and This is the secret of despair” – brought tears to me. I confess that I had to record this poem more than one time. As we enter the quiet season of winter, after all of the holidays have come to a soft close, we are left alone to reflect and rest…

      Liked by 1 person

    1. Many thanks, Carolyn, for joining me in the snow on the Vancouver Seawall. The snow continues to visit Vancouver so I have stocked up on tea and hot chocolate. Looking forward the many delights that await us! Sending many hugs. I am enjoying your podcasts!!!

      Liked by 1 person

  15. I have grown up in a region of Switzerland, where we always had real winters, Rebecca, and I, therefore, love the marvellous feelings of peace this poem by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow gives me, knowing that the snowcovered trees would listen to my SORROWS!
    Thank you very much, Rebecca, and I wish you many of these walks, which give us energy!
    Big hugs:)

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Thank you Martina!! I love our conversations and look forward to many that will come in 2022. I had goosebumps when I read: “knowing that the snowcovered trees would listen to my SORROWS!” That is exactly what I felt. Sending hugs and more hugs!

      Liked by 1 person

  16. A wonderful reading, dear Rebecca!
    Love Henry Wadsworth Longfellow!
    Most amazing, is that I see you are taking advantage of the snow in Vancouver.
    In the 8 years I lived there, it snowed once. Well, it was more of a dusting of snow.
    More dramatic was the minor earthquake, I experienced.
    All in all, an exciting place to live!

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    1. It has snowed and snowed over the past couple of weeks. It is rather unusual but then this whole year has been unusual! I just found out that Henry Wadsworth Longfellow was the first American to translate Dante Alighieri’s Divine Comedy. I did not know he was a translator! Vancouver still misses you Resa! Sending hugs and more hugs!

      Liked by 1 person

  17. Pingback: Snow-Flakes by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow – Rebecca's Reading Room

  18. A wonderful reading of this amazing poem. And you picked the right day as well. I love Longfellow and his poem Evangeline moved me to tears when I read it as a young person. Stay warm and dry. xo

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    1. Many thanks for joining me on the Seawall with HWL. I confess that I’m working up to reciting Evangeline. Longfellow’s ability to use words to bring an emotional response is truly remarkable. Sending many hugs!

      Liked by 1 person

  19. I love that you are thankful to begin each year in the winter season. to “seek the winter walks where I meet with silence in the soft snow.”
    How beautiful and I so enjoyed your reading of Wordsworth’s poem. What a wonderful New Year’s gift you’ve given, Rebecca. Thank you.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Many thanks, Carol for your heartwarming comments. They mean a great deal to me. I am glad that the new year starts in winter, for it is the best time for reflection and rest before the awakening of spring. I am delighted that we are on the 2022 adventures together. Sending hugs your way.

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  20. What a beautiful poem, Rebecca. I love Wadsworth’s rhymes. They’re so… perfectly natural. You looked a little cold, but what a gorgeous winter setting. Thanks for the lovely read and enjoy your winter.

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    1. I was cold, Diana! And I had to start over a couple of times when I felt tears come – the worlds were poignant. My nose was especially cold. I think that I will find a place indoors to say poetry. BRRRR….

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