Winter

Dark Grace

Snow at Twin Lakes - David Densmore

It appears that winter has arrived. Even to some of you who normally wouldn’t be expecting it. Since we are in the midst I offer you three meditations on winter. Sometimes we need a hard freeze to reset the stage for a bountiful spring. May all that is unnecessary be swept away, set aside, all that is not rooted in love, and may winter reveal to you its essential beauty.

-dD

“Winter” by Vivaldi, Lyrics - David Densmore, Paul Halley - piano with Susan live (unreleased)

Winter - Vivaldi

Gratefully when the silence falls

Like feathers drifting from black branches

The frozen earth lies dreaming of birth

Under blankets so deep

That whisper the secrets of snow

There is not time

There is no time

There is no time

There is no time

Oh, leave the world of worried thought behind and dream

I raise my arms in the forest and join

The simple praise of trees

How blessed we are to know this

Surrender and rest

Dark winter’s caress

The silent gift of peace

I leave the world of worried thought behind me

And find the one who watches there inside me

And brings this gift of peace

Oh leave the world of worried thought behind and dream

I raise my arms in the forest and join

The simple praise of trees

How blessed we are to know this

Surrender and rest

Dark winter’s caress

The silent gift of peace

I leave the world of worried thought behind me

And find the one who watches there inside me

And brings this gift of peace

“The Dark Grace of Winter” by Susan Osborn from “Hummingbird”, Nancy Rumbel - oboe, Bill Lauf - tenor guitar, Susan - keyboards

The Dark Grace of Winter

How can I love spring if I’ve never known winter,

The cold grey dawn that chills to the bone?

Wood frozen like stone first cracks, then splinters

Surrendering to the dark grace of winter.

​Summer’s bright and easy days

​Low late light, bees buzzing ways

​Harvest plenty, leaves red and gold

​Another year is growing old

​So are these days of warm delight

​Worth the days of long black nights?

​Before the blossoms and the blue,

​Harsh bitter winds whistle through windows.

​Before the turning toward the sun,

​And icebound rivers thaw and run.

How can I love spring if I’ve never known winter,

The cold grey dawn that chills to the bone?

Wood frozen like stone first cracks then splinters

Surrendering to the dark grace of winter.

“Winter’s Dream” by Paul Halley from “Signature”, Gordon Johnson - bass, Jim Saporito - drums, Ross Traut - guitar, Paul Halley - piano, rhodes, Eugene Friesen - cello, Ted Moore - percussion, John Clark - french horn