We posted the Poem of the Month for nine years and have ended the series. Here is Nancy's most famous poem. From Many Winters, 1974, by Nancy Wood Hold on to what is good even if it is a handful of earth. Hold on to what you believe even if it is a tree which stands by itself. Hold on to what you must do even if it is a long way from here. Hold on to life even when it is easier letting go. Hold on to my hand even when I have gone away from you.
Many Winters
When daylight shuts her eyes – September 2022
From Many Winters, 1974, by Nancy Wood
When daylight shuts her eyes And the sky is fast asleep, The moon comes up with half a face And the stars put holes in the night.
When the hand of winter gives up its grip on the sun – March 2021
From Many Winters, 1974, by Nancy Wood
When the hand of winter gives up its grip on the sun
And the river’s hard ice becomes the tongue to spring
I must go into the earth itself
To know the source from which I came.
Where there is a history of leaves
I lie face down upon the land.
I smell the rich wet earth
Trembling to allow the birth
Of what is innocent and green.
My fingers touch the yielding earth
Knowing that it contains
All previous births and deaths.
I listen to a cry of whispers
Concerning the awakening earth
In possession of itself.
With a branch between my teeth
I feel the growth of trees
Flowing with life born of ancient death.
I cover myself with earth
So that I may know while still alive
How sweet is the season of my time.
There are no dark times – January 2021
From Many Winters, 1974, by Nancy Wood
There are no dark times.
There are only people with
sawdust in their eyes.
No wonder they look at
the great rolling land and see
only doors and windows.
No wonder they look at
the tall mountains and see
only a way to make them tame.
No wonder they look at
the endless sky and see
only a journey to the moon.
There are no dark times.
There are only moments which
are discolored like
sand which is wet with rain.
There are only moments which
give pain like
the sting of a bumblebee.
There are only moments which
are as cruel as
the death of an eagle by a gun.
There are no dark times.
I know this because
Tomorrow receives the best in time
Or else it would not come.
A long time I have lived with you – February 2020
From Many Winters, 1974, by Nancy Wood
A long time I have lived with you
And now we must be going
Separately to be together.
Perhaps I shall be the wind
To blur your smooth waters
So that you do not see your face too much.
Perhaps I shall be the star
To guide your uncertain wings
So that you have direction in the night.
Perhaps I shall be the fire
To separate your thoughts
So that you do not give up.
Perhaps I shall be the rain
To open up the earth
So that your seed may fall.
Perhaps I shall be the snow
To let your blossoms sleep
So that you may bloom in spring.
Perhaps I shall be the stream
To play a song on the rock
So that you are not alone.
Perhaps I shall be a new mountain
So that you always have a home.