
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

The Sound of You (c) 2015
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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.
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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.
Beautiful photography accompanied by beautiful words ~ a great combo, and an excellent post 🙂 To the New Year!
Thank you so much, and I look forward to reading your blog (and seeing those gorgeous photos) in the new year.
Lovely.
Thank you 🙂
Beautiful writing, lovely photos, thank you.
Thank you! I’ve been holding on to that poem for awhile, awaiting the images which might do it justice.
As a recovering attorney…certified old fart, AND photographer—I stand in awe of your camera work 🙂 Happy New Year from Northern California
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.
To my eye, the cameras you are using are “real” enough! 🙂
Lovely. Happy New Year to you 🙂
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!!!!!!
The photos are beautiful and words are touching. Happy New Year to you, Stephanie!