Today (February 2) those of us with roots in Pennsylvania join enthusiasts from everywhere as we look to mythical groundhog Punxsutawney Phil for a forecast concerning prolonged winter or early spring. This morning Phil's forecast was bleak but not unexpected: we will have six more weeks of winter.
This news that our winter is only half over has led me to a poem (found in the illustrated anthology Talking to the Sun, edited by Kenneth Koch and Kate Farrell, published in 1985 by the Metropolitan Museum of Art):
Another Sarah by Anne Porter (1911-2011)
for Christopher Smart
When winter was half over
God sent three angels to the apple-tree
Who said to her
"Be glad, you little rack
Of empty sticks,
Because you have been chosen.
In May you will become
A wave of living sweetness
A nation of white petals
A dynasty of apples."
Another winter poem by Porter with a bit of mathematics is included in this post for 25 November 2012.
Showing posts with label winter. Show all posts
Showing posts with label winter. Show all posts
Monday, February 2, 2015
Is winter half over?
Labels:
Anne Porter,
groundhog,
half,
mathematics,
poetry,
Punxsutawney,
winter
Sunday, February 2, 2014
Forecasting snow and poetry
Snowbound
is that other world
in which no schedules sit
and no ambitions flare
to interrupt the bluest sky
and whitest field
and coldest air
is that other world
in which no schedules sit
and no ambitions flare
to interrupt the bluest sky
and whitest field
and coldest air
Friday, December 20, 2013
Measuring Winter
Thomas Campion (1567-1620) was an English composer, physician, and poet. I found this poem at poetryfoundation.org.
Now Winter Nights Enlarge by Thomas Campion
Now winter nights enlarge
The number of their hours;
And clouds their storms discharge
Upon the airy towers.
Now Winter Nights Enlarge by Thomas Campion
Now winter nights enlarge
The number of their hours;
And clouds their storms discharge
Upon the airy towers.
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