Among these winters
Photo by Ray Hennessy via Unsplash.com
Be ahead of all parting, as though it already were
behind you, like the winter that has just gone by.
For among these winters there is one so endlessly winter
that only by wintering through it all will your heart survive.
Be forever dead in Eurydice-more gladly arise
into the seamless life proclaimed in your song.
Here, in the realm of decline, among momentary days,
be the crystal cup that shattered even as it rang.
Be-and yet know the great void where all things begin,
the infinite source of your own most intense vibration,
so that, this once, you may give it your perfect assent.
To all that is used-up, and to all the muffled and dumb
creatures in the world’s full reserve, the unsayable sums,
joyfully add yourself, and cancel the count.
—Rainer Maria Rilke
Translated by Stephen Mitchell
As always, the poet says it best. I am writing this with a blanket of snow outside our York home, and I’m burrowed in with my hot tea and books and silence. It’s a healing solitude, and through the enchanting communion of words I am visiting with many souls, living or passed from this earth, whose company cuts through the loneliness. Thank you for being among them.
I wish for you this winter the ability to celebrate the momentary days in joyful, perfect assent. Spring will be here before we know it.
This post was first published seven years ago today. Now, as then, I’m burrowed in with tea and books, and the appreciation of a beautifully meaningful poem. This time it’s not snow, but a cold, dreary rain outside. I’m enjoying a cozy fire in a lovely home that was not yet built, nor even dreamed of, when I first wrote this post. I’m also enjoying Matthew’s company, something I could not have taken for granted eight months ago, and the classical music he so loves is playing in the background.
And if these winter blessings were not enough, I’m enjoying the virtual company of my Oxford classmates as we read and write about the work of other authors. I’m also thinking of you, the readers who made this blog what it has been for me for over ten years now, a source of solace and joy. I hope you too are surrounded by winter comforts (or summer delights, if you are in the southern hemisphere) as we cherish this season that will pass more quickly than we might imagine.
The original post, comments and photo are linked, along with two other related posts, below. These links to related posts, and their thumbnail photos, do not appear in the blog feed; they are only visible when viewing the individual posts by clicking on each one. I have no idea why, nor do I know how they choose the related posts. That’s just the way WordPress does things.
Defeat Despair 
You have written the magic word: “Matthew”. You have been in my heart for quite a while, and I’ve wondered about the outcome of the medical emergency several months ago. Now I can exhale. Wishing you both all the joys of the winter season. It’s only bleak winter if you choose to look upon it as such.
Thank you Meg! I am so happy to see you here; it’s a great honor to know you’re reading the blog. Thank you for being mindful of Matthew and me. It’s becoming apparent that the trauma of his long illness has taken its toll on his body (especially his liver) and mine (I’ve been sick THREE times with different illnesses that required medication– something that almost never happens to me and certainly not more than once a year) but I’m hoping that, with time and care, both of us will bounce back. Until then, I treasure every moment with him. And yes, “it’s only bleak winter if you choose to look upon it as such.” You know my choice. 🙂 Thanks again for being here!
Hi Julia,
Glad to hear you’re experiencing some peace and joy as the new year unfolds. Wishing you and Matt good health and much happiness in 2024. ❤️
Thank you, Chris! The same to you and your family!
Good morning, Julia! I’m wrapped in a blanket and cashmere robe, reading the UR devotional and your blog in my yoga room. A space heater blesses the room by contending with the leaky windows. We typically cover the windows in plastic each winter, but now we have a siamese with pica, who loves to shred the plastic and eat the tape. We’ve been fortunate to have such a mild winter so far this year!
I pray your winter months with Matt and your activities via internet are a blessing to you.
Well Susan, I hope your mild winter did not exit as dramatically as it might have, given the predicted winter storms this week. Don’t you just love those space heaters? I like keeping the thermostat lower just so I can enjoy sitting by the space heater and/or the gas fireplace! Are you back at work now? Will you be going to New England this year?
Hi Julia, I am still working from home, but was just assigned to a project that will allow some travel to New England. Hooray!
Susan, this is great news! When will you be there? Maybe I can come meet you for our first in-person visit in quite awhile!