I found a lovely poem the other day, which really lifted me out of the February gloom, and I’ve picked out my favourite lines to share with you. If you want to read the whole poem, take a look here.
NOW THE DAYS ARE GROWING LONGER
…Night, that settled down so soon,
On the very skirts of noon…
Night so cold, and dark and dreary
Of its lengthened stay is weary.
Look up, heart, be gladder, stronger,
For the days are growing longer.
…Sun of joy, and pleasure’s light,
All were lost in gloom of night…
Day so short and night so long
Fled the bird and hushed the song.
But, my heart, look up, be stronger,
For the days are growing longer.
By-and-by the night will seem
But a vision-haunted dream;
By-and-by the day will be
Long and glad for you and me…
Look up; let thy faith be stronger,
For the days are growing longer.
Ella Wheeler Wilcox
1876
Thank you for that!When I leave for choir at 5pm, it’s daylight now and that’s wonderful. Love the poem and the beautiful Birch tree trunk
Thank you – I’m glad you like the poem. I’m glad I found it!
It is what is geting me through the additional snow…I see the sun occasionally earlier and it sets later…
The longer daylight mixed with snow really makes a difference. We even saw the sun briefly this morning!
You know, I noticed the same thing earlier this week and my heart did a happy little leap!
I know exactly what you mean!
Great poem! Every day the sun sets a few minutes later, that;s how we know spring is coming. In a few months, we can luxuriate in the long, long summer days.
Yes, I look forward to lighter evenings.
What a wonderful encouraging poetry and – what a cloudless blue sky this morning….
Yes – look up , heart, be gladder,stronger…
Spring w i l l come soon.
Thank you, Cathy, for sharing this lovely poem!
It is a stirring poem, and with the few rays of sunshine this morning I feel hopeful spring will soon be here!
Thank you Cathy, i needed a “Look up” today.
Hi Uta. Hope you see some sunshine today!
Great little poem, thank you
I found it rather fitting, since it’s been such a grey winter here.
A perfect poem for inspiration, Cathy…thanks so much for finding it!
It has certainly inspired me, Marie. I think we all need reminding that spring really isn’t far off now!
Isn’t it wonderful that the lighter, longer days just inspire us all
it was still light at 5.50 pm today! We’re getting there! I love your tree photo by the way. I just love everything about trees and scrolling down and seeing the full picture emerge was really cool!
Hi Anna! I’m glad you liked the poem too. The extra daylight is so noticeable this week – I love longer evenings, but putting the coffee on in the mornings without needing the lights on is great too!
Beautiful poem and photograph! Thanks!
I’d never read that poem before – it’s wonderful! Thanks for posting!
Glad you enjoyed it, Sheryl!
That’s a good one, thanks for sharing!
Elaine
It’s been like a mantra for me the last week or so!
Dear Cathy, just now I read a wonderful quote:
“Hinter jedem Winter steckt ein zitternder Frühling
und hinter dem Schleier jeder Nacht
verbirgt sich ein lächelnder Morgen.”
Khalil Gibran, 1883-1931
libanesich-amerikanischer Maler und Dichter
Thank you Elisabeth. Sehr schön!
Oh how encouraging and inspiring! Love the poem and the pic!
Perfect poem for the month of February…I am so enjoying the days starting to get a little longer.
This past week I’ve really noticed it being lighter. Hooray!