‘Before the Snow’ by Bliss Carman

Summary

The webpage content discusses the Canadian poet Bliss Carman, particularly focusing on his poem 'Before the Snow,' alongside a painting by Susan Alison, and emphasizes the joy and art found in engaging with nature-themed poetry.

Abstract

The webpage presents a reflection on the poem 'Before the Snow' by Bliss Carman, a renowned Canadian poet who spent much of his life in the United States. The poem, which is in the public domain, is celebrated for its evocative depiction of winter and the promise of spring. Accompanying the poem is a painting titled 'A gleam in winter' by Susan Alison, which visually complements the poem's theme. The author of the webpage expresses a personal connection to Carman's work, appreciating its accessibility and the inspiration it provides. The page also highlights Carman's successful career as a poet, having published over fifty books, and includes a quote from English poet Francis Thompson praising Carman's reputation and joy in nature. Additionally, the webpage provides links to other works by Carman and information on the use of public domain material, as well as links to Susan Alison's Amazon page, Etsy store, and newsletter sign-up.

Opinions

The author finds Bliss Carman's poetry, especially 'Before the Snow,' to be a source of creative refreshment.
Carman's poems, particularly those about nature, are considered both enjoyable and understandable, in contrast to some classic poems that the author finds less accessible.
The author agrees with Carman's view that putting one's self into a task transforms it into joy and art.
The author values the ability to read and appreciate classic poems, acknowledging that they were written in a different era with a different mindset.
The author encourages readers to explore more of Bliss Carman's work, as well as Susan Alison's artwork, suggesting that these creative works can inspire and refresh one's own creativity.

‘Before the Snow’

Now soon, ah, very soon, I know The trumpets of the north will blow, And the great winds will come to bring The pale, wild riders of the snow.

Darkening the sun with level flight, At arrowy speed, they will alight, Unnumbered as the desert sands, To bivouac on the edge of night.

Then I, within their somber ring, Shall hear a voice that seems to sing, Deep, deep within my tranquil heart, The valiant prophecy of spring.

Bliss Carman was a Canadian poet, although he lived most of his life in the US. He was well-known in the Western world, and well-thought-of, both as a poet and as a person.

Unusually, he made most of his living from his poetry. Sometimes he took on other assignments, as well, as is so often the case with all kinds of artist, but they were always jobs that involved the written word.

He wrote more than fifty books of poetry!

In 1904, Francis Thompson, an English poet, described Bliss Carman as, “a Canadian poet of deserved repute this side of the water, with a lusty and individualized joy in nature.”

It is his poems celebrating nature that I particularly enjoy. Not only that, but I understand them! I find many of the classic poems a little inaccessible. That might make me a bit of a lazy-poetry-reader, but if I have to work too hard to ‘get into’ a poem then I lose the joy in its rhythm and melody.

And I so agree with this quote of his:

“Set me a task in which I can put something of my very self, and it is a task no longer; it is joy; it is art.”

My own creativity is always refreshed by reading the creative works of others — especially some of the classic poems, knowing they were written in a different world at a different time, with a different mindset.

Another Bliss Carman poem:

And another:

My favourite classic poem:

Stuff you need to know about the use of other people’s work:

CREATIVE REFRESHMENT

‘Before the Snow’ by Bliss Carman

‘A gleam in winter’ — painting by Susan Alison

‘Before the Snow’

‘Woodland Rain’ by Bliss Carman

After the storm

‘In Gold Lacquer’ by Bliss Carman

‘Sun Dance’ — painting by Susan Alison

‘Sea Fever’ by John Masefield

Classic, salty goodness!

Using Public Domain Material

How to avoid the potholes that lead to inadvertently infringing someone’s rights