Very early Sunday morning, not quite dawn, something woke me up. A sound. I glanced around, peaked out of the bedroom windows, went down the stairs, looked out the door. Nothing was amiss. All I saw were snowflakes, dancing in the air. I knew what had awakened me.
It was the sound of snow.
Snow has a tune of its own, with notes that form a melody that is as hard to explain as each different, downy flake. It was the sound of snow that woke me.
Awake, I put the teakettle on, set out a cup and saucer, swirled some local honey in the cup, and waited for the pot to boil. As I waited for the water to boil, I remembered a poem by Wallace Stevens.
The Snow Man by Wallace Stevens
One must have a mind of winter
To regard the frost and the boughs
Of the pine-trees crusted with snow;
And have been cold a long time
To behold the junipers shagged with ice,
The spruces rough in the distant glitter
Of the January sun; and not to think
Of any misery in the sound of the wind,
In the sound of a few leaves,
Which is the sound of the land
Full of the same wind
That is blowing in the same bare place
For the listener, who listens in the snow,
And, nothing himself, beholds
Nothing that is not there and the nothing that is.
This is the second reference I’ve seen to Wallace Stevens this morning, so I need to pay heed and do some reading … I forgot how much i love his poetry. This is a beautiful selection and you’re so right, snow does have a wonderful “sound.” 🙂
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I tend to forget Wallace Stevens as well, Teresa, yet he never disappoints and is always inspiring.
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It’s the small moments that make each day so special. Those who can hear the sound of snow are truly blessed, Penny! What a gift to find in the midst of our weekend blizzard! Warm hugs today! ♡
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Thank you, Dawn. It is a blessing to hear snow; something hard to explain to those who don’t experience it. 🙂
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You selected a perfect poem to describe all the winter snow and ice. The unique sound of snow comes in “… on little cat” feet just like the fog. I miss waking up to that lack of noise that let me know it had snowed.
My Willem Lange book, Tales from the Edge of the Woods, finally came yesterday. I am reading it slowly to take it all in. Am so glad you introduced this author in December. Stay safe and warm!
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It is so nice to know you have and are enjoying Tales from the Edge of the Woods, Marilyn. I enjoy his homey style and innate sense of the world around him. Thank you. I am warm and safe, up in MN with the family up here. It is definitely winter here, but, oddly enough, warmer with less snow right now that home.
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Thank you for that reference to “little cat feet”. Yes. Snow and fog comes in that way. 🙂
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I love the sound of falling snow, Penny. I seldom hear it, and I was shocked when I first realized it made noise. I especially love to walk in the woods when it’s snowing, because it’s even louder there. Lovely post. Stay warm and cozy up there.
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It is so lovely the woods, with the soft crunch underfoot and just the sounds of the forest. Thanks, Andra.
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I agree, I love the sound of snow.We have a flagpole that is not far from our bedroom window. Sometimes we hear the snap and flap noise of the flags blowing in the wind as we also hear the snow. It is a cold sound, but makes me feel cozy in the warm house. I love your poem choice of verse. It is so lovely.
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Thank you, Janet.
I know that flapping/snapping sound and the mystical/magical way you can hear both from your bedroom window – and from inside where it is warm.
Last night, I was unloading the car (I had just arrived Up North), and it was very quiet outside, except for the scrunch of my boots on the snow. 🙂
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I have been in light snow that probably more resembles slush, if I think of it, but you have painted such a beautiful picture for me, Penny. I’d really love to experience the sound of snow falling. I have to say that it’s not something I can easily imagine. I think the poem is very special! I admire that you do so much more than just survive the cold, you find the beauty in your winter wonderland. 🙂
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Thank you, Debra. I do my share of complaining about winter and snow as well, but, I do so love the beauty of snow, how it falls and how it makes everything equal, at least on the landscape, for a spell. I truly wish I could capture with my camera how it glistens.
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You give snow such a presence in this post Penny. I love your description of the sound of snow, and also the Wallace Stevens poem.
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It does command our attention, Juliet; I like your use of the word presence. Thank you.
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I did not know that falling snow made a noise! And since there’s a good a possibility I may never , I am happy to experience it through your lovely word picture … And the poem .
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It is a good poem to describe snow, Sallie. I am pleased that you could experience it. 🙂 Thank you.
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I never heard the sound of snow falling, how beautiful. The poem is perfect…..
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Thank you, Gerlinde. It is a rather ethereal sound. Right now, I’m in MN, and experiencing the sound of it crunching under my feat.
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[…] Collins to bring some smiles on yet another colorless, wintry day, where he, too, writes about the sound of snow – and other […]
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Lovely poem! To me the sound of snow is the sound of a quietness that you only get when a big snow is falling.
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Love it, Janet. Something only snow affords us; quietness. 🙂
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