What Stillness at Last

Posted on January 3, 2015 by Stephanie

New Year’s Leaves (c) S. Glennon 2015

Poet W.S. Merwin wrote “To the New Year,” a gorgeous look at the new–which is never truly new, but always illuminated by the past, viewed through the prism of “our knowledge such as it is” and “our hopes such as they are”:

With what stillness at last
you appear in the valley
your first sunlight reaching down
to touch the tips of a few
high leaves that do not stir
as though they had not noticed
and did not know you at all
then the voice of a dove calls
from far away in itself
to the hush of the morning

Galapagos Dove (c) Jim Glennon 2010

so this is the sound of you
here and now whether or not
anyone hears it this is
where we have come with our age
our knowledge such as it is
and our hopes such as they are
invisible before us
untouched and still possible

About Stephanie

In her spare time, Stephanie works full-time, and then some, as an attorney. She has published articles and delivered talks in arcane fields like forensic evidentiary issues, jury instructions, and expert scientific witness preparation. She also is an adjunct professor at a law school on the banks of the Charles and loves that dirty water, as she will always think of Boston as her home. You are welcome to take a look at her Facebook author page, or follow @SMartinGlennon on Twitter. All content on this blog, unless otherwise attributed, is (c) 2012-2020 by Stephanie M. Glennon and should not be reproduced (in any form other than re-blogging in accordance with Wordpress protocol and the numerous other wee buttons at the bottom of each post) without the express permission of the domain holder.

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This entry was posted in Love and Loss and tagged "To the New Year" by W.S. Merwin, New, postaday, W.S. Merwin's Collected Poems, Weekly Photo Challenge: New. Bookmark the permalink.

12 Responses to What Stillness at Last

Dalo 2013 says:

January 3, 2015 at 5:24 pm

Beautiful photography accompanied by beautiful words ~ a great combo, and an excellent post 🙂 To the New Year!

Reply
- Stephanie says:
  
  January 4, 2015 at 1:49 pm
  
  Thank you so much, and I look forward to reading your blog (and seeing those gorgeous photos) in the new year.
  
  Reply
pensitivity101 says:

January 3, 2015 at 5:52 pm

Lovely.

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- Stephanie says:
  
  January 4, 2015 at 1:49 pm
  
  Thank you 🙂
  
  Reply
gaiainaction says:

January 3, 2015 at 6:16 pm

Beautiful writing, lovely photos, thank you.

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- Stephanie says:
  
  January 4, 2015 at 1:50 pm
  
  Thank you! I’ve been holding on to that poem for awhile, awaiting the images which might do it justice.
  
  Reply
Frank Simpson says:

January 3, 2015 at 6:47 pm

As a recovering attorney…certified old fart, AND photographer—I stand in awe of your camera work 🙂 Happy New Year from Northern California

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- Stephanie says:
  
  January 4, 2015 at 1:55 pm
  
  And a happy New Year from the fiendishly slippery, icy Northeast. I’m interested in the certification process for becoming an old fart–Northern California sounds like a great place to undergo it. I aspire to be a recovering attorney someday as well . . .when, perhaps, my kids can teach me to use real cameras and lenses and such. Many thanks for your kind compliment.
  
  Reply
  - Frank Simpson says:
    
    January 4, 2015 at 7:02 pm
    
    To my eye, the cameras you are using are “real” enough! 🙂
Marie Keates says:

January 4, 2015 at 2:08 pm

Lovely. Happy New Year to you 🙂

Reply
ann martin says:

January 4, 2015 at 8:42 pm

Jim’s picture is as beautiful as yours (and what a lovely poem to share). What a talented family — we love you and happy New Year to all of you!!!!!!

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Amy says:

January 5, 2015 at 8:15 am

The photos are beautiful and words are touching. Happy New Year to you, Stephanie!

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