Poetry Sunday: March by William Cullen Bryant

The winds of March are upon us. No storms, at least not yet, but working outside is a constant struggle to keep windblown hair out of my eyes. We are finally having pleasant days, other than the wind, and I have been able to get outside and do work in the garden this past week. It's a great release after being cooped up inside for much of the winter. Unlike most years, we have actually had a sustained winter this year. Normally, we have about a week of cold weather and then straight into spring, but not this year. And so, I am better able to appreciate the coming of March and the changing of the seasons that it brings. William Cullen Bryant appreciated it, too.  

March 

by William Cullen Bryant

The stormy March is come at last,
With wind, and cloud, and changing skies;
I hear the rushing of the blast,
That through the snowy valley flies.

Ah, passing few are they who speak,
Wild stormy month! in praise of thee;
Yet, though thy winds are loud and bleak,
Thou art a welcome month to me.

For thou, to northern lands again,
The glad and glorious sun dost bring,
And thou hast joined the gentle train
And wear'st the gentle name of Spring.

And, in thy reign of blast and storm,
Smiles many a long, bright, sunny day,
When the changed winds are soft and warm,
And heaven puts on the blue of May.

Then sing aloud the gushing rills
And the full springs, from frost set free,
That, brightly leaping down the hills,
Are just set out to meet the sea.

The year's departing beauty hides
Of wintry storms the sullen threat;
But, in thy sternest frown abides
A look of kindly promise yet.

Thou bring'st the hope of those calm skies,
And that soft time of sunny showers,
When the wide bloom, on earth that lies,
Seems of a brighter world than ours.

Comments

  1. The only thing to do with March is to meet it head-on and get out and enjoy it.

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  2. :) My favorite poem by William Cullen Bryant is Thanatopsis. I read this so often that I inadvertently memorized entire sections (my mother loved poetry, and I read all of her books).

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    1. Ah, yes, "Thanatopsis," perhaps his most famous poem. I'll have to feature that one sometime soon.

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  3. We actually had two winter storms this year! That's amazing for where I live! I enjoyed winter so much. Spring is always a love/hate thing for me since I moved to OK. I love spring but hate the tornadoes!

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    1. I like winter, too, and it has been especially enjoyable this time around because it has lasted longer than a week!

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  4. Nice to get out into the Garden! We are almost done with winter and I can feel the light & outside changing. Bryant captures some of the thrill of spring coming in this poem.

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    1. Yes, when I read this poem I knew it was the perfect description of this time of year.

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  5. What a lovely poem! We woke up to snow this morning here where I live...but it's good. We need the snow if we hope to refill our reservoirs and come out of the exceptional drought we've been in.

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    1. Anything to get those reservoirs filled. We've had a pretty dry winter and could really use some rain about now.

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  6. As miserable as March can be in New York State, it also brings the scent and promise of spring, and that makes it all worthwhile. The poet is right!

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    1. It turned cold again here overnight after a few days of faux spring, but you are right - that hint of spring is still there and this is just the last shot from a winter that has been reluctant to go.

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  7. It is too cold to go out here, the east wind bloweth with sharp talons.

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