Whittier writes of a snowstorm so great that his childhood home was banked up for days. It's a simple reminiscence, from a man with a pure heart, if ever there was one.
Yes, echoing Barbara above who quoted “of life and love, to still live on!” If I may and if anyone might....read my childhood memory of being snowbound:
There was a blizzard in March 1958 I believe it was. Three feet of snow had fallen. I was about 6, my older sister 10 and we had twin baby sisters, about 9 months old. There we are in rural southeastern Pennsylvania. Electricity and phones out. No heat so we kept a fire going in the fireplace. One morning, just around daybreak, my parents woke us up to say there was a fire in the wall behind the chimney.
My parents spoke softly to us, like there was a tremendous secret about the morning and the snow outside and the fire.
Our mother told my sister to put on her boots and her coat ( yes, over your pajamas) and go across the road to let the neighbors know that we had a fire. My sister took off, so brave I thought, as I watched her from the window. She slipped and slid on the icy snow and road but she delivered the message!
My father was trying to put the fire out himself. My mother must have been bundling up the twins.
Then we all got out of the house and stood with the neighbors on their porch as we watched my father get into our car, a green 1957 Chevy I think, and drive into town on those icy roads to get the fire department.
It was our own little world as we watched from the porch. “Earth stood hard as iron, water like a stone.” Now it was my father I found to be so brave. What a wonderful time we’re having I thought.
We watched from the window until, sure enough, my father came back with the fire trucks, our green Chevy leading the way!
This is one of the few times growing up that our family was in perfect harmony. My parents, we children, all together, they leading and we following. There was no yelling, no crying, no fear, no complaining. Just us, Snowbound, just as Whittier writes.
A beautiful long poem for a snowy day! Full of memory and beauty. I'm in awe at how smoothly you read, as always. My voice would be a ruin if I had to read that long a poem aloud in one sitting!
I just loved this poem. Thank you for sharing it with us! This is the first time I have ever heard of it.
I don't believe I've ever read a longer poem! Mr. Whittier surely makes us see all he describes.
Nancy
Yes, echoing Barbara above who quoted “of life and love, to still live on!” If I may and if anyone might....read my childhood memory of being snowbound:
There was a blizzard in March 1958 I believe it was. Three feet of snow had fallen. I was about 6, my older sister 10 and we had twin baby sisters, about 9 months old. There we are in rural southeastern Pennsylvania. Electricity and phones out. No heat so we kept a fire going in the fireplace. One morning, just around daybreak, my parents woke us up to say there was a fire in the wall behind the chimney.
My parents spoke softly to us, like there was a tremendous secret about the morning and the snow outside and the fire.
Our mother told my sister to put on her boots and her coat ( yes, over your pajamas) and go across the road to let the neighbors know that we had a fire. My sister took off, so brave I thought, as I watched her from the window. She slipped and slid on the icy snow and road but she delivered the message!
My father was trying to put the fire out himself. My mother must have been bundling up the twins.
Then we all got out of the house and stood with the neighbors on their porch as we watched my father get into our car, a green 1957 Chevy I think, and drive into town on those icy roads to get the fire department.
It was our own little world as we watched from the porch. “Earth stood hard as iron, water like a stone.” Now it was my father I found to be so brave. What a wonderful time we’re having I thought.
We watched from the window until, sure enough, my father came back with the fire trucks, our green Chevy leading the way!
This is one of the few times growing up that our family was in perfect harmony. My parents, we children, all together, they leading and we following. There was no yelling, no crying, no fear, no complaining. Just us, Snowbound, just as Whittier writes.
Wonderful, magical, so thought-provoking! Thank you!
A beautiful long poem for a snowy day! Full of memory and beauty. I'm in awe at how smoothly you read, as always. My voice would be a ruin if I had to read that long a poem aloud in one sitting!
The puppy cameo was a splendid treat!
Absent Cape Breton's stormy curse
Gives chance to hear poetic verse
Thanks for this excellent read!