Sunday, December 18, 2022

“Winter Time” by Robert Louis Stevenson


Late lies the wintry sun a-bed,
A frosty, fiery sleepy-head;
Blinks but an hour or two; and then,
A blood-red orange, sets again.


Before the stars have left the skies,
At morning in the dark I rise;
And shivering in my nakedness,
By the cold candle, bathe and dress.
 

Close by the jolly fire I sit
To warm my frozen bones a bit;
Or with a reindeer-sled, explore
The colder countries round the door.
   


   
Black are my steps on silver sod;
Thick blows my frosty breath abroad;
And tree and house, and hill and lake,
Are frosted like a wedding-cake.


There is one week left until Christmas. I love this warm holiday in the cold winter.

 


Poem by Robert Louis Stevenson, a Scottish novelist, poet, essayist, and travel writer.  He was born in Edinburgh, Scotland, died in 1894 aged 44, on Vailima, Samoa Islands. This rhyming poetry sounds like a classic winter tale.
 
Paintings by Nadezda
 

38 comments:

  1. Thank you for sharing this poem and paintings, Nadezda! They are very beautiful.

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    1. You are welcome Marit. Christmas is coming soon.

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  2. Your paintings are so beautiful, Nadezda. You are so talented.

    Wintry greetings
    from Anke

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  3. Nadezda, I return to the land of the living and find you at your most inspiring. You are so acomplished and you know more about my fellow countrymen than I do. The poetry is beautiful and here is me only familiar with Treasure Island.. I was even more taken with your artistic work. Have a good and peacful Christmas. Alistair

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    1. Dear Alistair, I'm sorry, I didn't know you were sick. So glad you got better. I love the poetry and novels of the great Scot R. L. Stevenson. I also read Treasure Island, I love Suicide Club (detective stories). I thought that the poem "Winter time" fits well with my paintings and winter here. I wish you feel better.

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  4. I have been a great fan of Robert Louis Stevenson all my life, Nadezda, going right back to those days so long ago when I first thrilled to the drama of "Treasure Island." I find it quite wonderful that I have been introduced to one of his poems today by a friend in northern Russia! Thank you for that, but thank you especially for the outstanding pictures that accompany the text. They are superb and evoke the moment. I am in awe of your talent. With my very best wishes - David

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    1. I have read and watched 'Treasure Island' many times, David. These adventures touched me as a teenager. Last month I found this poem while reading his poems. And I realized that it goes well with my work. Thank you for such a high assessment of my paintings, I'm still learning.

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  5. Love your paintings and they fit the poem so well. Christmas Blessings from Molly

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    1. Great, Molly, you're here! I'm glad that you like my paintings. Christmas is coming soon!

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  6. Nadezda, have a very Merry Christmas. Lovely photos. Thank you for sharing the poem with us.

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    1. Sandi, I wish you a merry Christmas too. Those are my watercolors, not photos.

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  7. Love the images - are they your work?

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    1. Yes, Sue, these are my watercolors. I'm learning to paint with watercolor.

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    2. I'd say that you have learned - they are brilliant.

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  8. Tus pinturas son preciosas, me gustan muchísimo, el poema es precioso también. Un abrazo fuerte. Feliz Navidad.

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    1. Querida Teresa, gracias por tus buenas palabras. Feliz Navidad a ti tambien.

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  9. Dear Nadezda, I too loved the poem accompanied by your beautiful paintings. Our homes are warmer and more modern than in the times of Stevenson but we in the North can understand his words very well. :)
    Stay well and have a wonderful Christmas time! <3

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    1. Thank you, Sara. I hope you will spent wonderful time with you loved ones.

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  10. Nadezda-your paintings are beautiful and the poem accompanying them is perfect. Happy holidays to you and your family and keep the beautiful artwork coming!

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    1. Lee, glad you like my works. These ones I dedicated to winter time, I thought the poem goes well to them.

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  11. Lindos cuadros me gustan mucho Te mando un beso.

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  12. He is a great poet and novelist. Your paintings have a good atmosphere.

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  13. Your paintings are wonderful, Nadezda, I admire you.
    I wish you a merry Christmas!
    Hugs!

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  14. Boa noite minha querida amiga Nadezda. Difícil escolher o mais bonito. Aproveito para desejar um feliz natal com muita paz e saúde.

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  15. This is a lovely post, but made me feel cold to read it :) I hadn't read this poem of Stevenson's before, he was so accessible and speaks directly to the heart at times, so I was glad to see one I didn't already know. I can't even begin to think what a Russian winter is like, but I enjoyed looking at your beautiful pictures - you are such a talented artist! Have a wonderful Christmas, and of course a very warm one!!!!

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    1. The poem "Winter time" is not very popular, Jenny. I read it myself a month ago. This winter is not too cold yet. The average temperature is -5 C. But it often snows, in the garden I have to clean the paths to the house, to the bird feeder, to the greenhouse. Thank you for such a high appreciation of my work. I am learning to paint with watercolors.

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  16. Wonderful paintings and a beautiful poem.
    Nadezda, Merry Christmas to you and to your family!
    May 2023 will be full of joy, health and love, for you and your loved ones.
    Best wishes
    Maria

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  17. Dear Nadezda!
    May your heart be warmed by the sweet magic that Christmas always brings,
    and may all your dreams be fulfilled.
    Wishing you a Merry Christmas:)

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    1. Thank you Lucja for for kind words and wishes. Merry Christmas to you and your family too!

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  18. Buon Natale a te e a tutti coloro che porti nel cuore.

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  19. Querida Nadezda es un placer leerte y disfrutar de tu maravilloso talento. Enhorabuena. Feliz Navidad. Un abrazo enorme.

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