S4 E3: After the Winter Rain by Ina Coolbrith

Posted byRebecca BuddPosted inOnTheRoad Book Club, Poetry in the Afternoon, Reading Room, WinterTags:, , , , , ,

After the Winter Rain

by Ina Coolbrith

After the winter rain,
Sing, robin! Sing, swallow!
Grasses are in the lane,
Buds and flowers will follow.

Woods shall ring, blithe and gay,
With bird-trill and twitter,
Though the skies weep to-day,
And the winds are bitter.

Though deep call unto deep
As calls the thunder,
And white the billows leap
The tempest under;

Softly the waves shall come
Up the long, bright beaches,
With dainty, flowers of foam
And tenderest speeches…

After the wintry pain,
And the long, long sorrow,
Sing, heart!—for thee again
Joy comes with the morrow.

This poem is in the public domain.

After the winter rain, the world is transformed. The sky is a bright blue, the sun is shining, and the air is fresh and crisp. The trees are glistening with raindrops, and the grass is a vibrant green. Everywhere there is a feeling of new life and hope. The birds are singing, and the flowers are blooming. The world is alive and vibrant, and it is a beautiful sight to behold.

Ina Coolbrith’s poem captures this moment perfectly, reminding us that even in the darkest of times, there is always hope and beauty to be found.

Ina Coolbrith was a poet, librarian, and literary figure in California during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. She was the first California Poet Laureate, and was the first poet laureate of any U.S. state. Coolbrith was born in Nauvoo, Illinois in 1841 and moved to California in 1851. She was a prolific writer, publishing her first book of poetry at the age of 17.

A key figure in the literary and cultural life of San Francisco, Coolbrith was a mentor to many young writers, including Jack London and Isadora Duncan. She was a member of the Bohemian Club and the Saturday Club, two of the most prominent literary and cultural organizations in the area. An advocate for women’s rights and education, she was a leader in the early women’s suffrage movement in California. She died in 1928 at the age of 87.

“Were I to write what I know, the book would be too sensational to print, but were I to write what I think proper, it would be too dull to read.“ Ina Coolbrith

Ina Coolbrith

After the Winter Rain by Ina Coolbrith – Rebecca's Reading Room

S4 E3 After the Winter Rain by Ina Coolbrith After the Winter Rain by Ina Coolbrith After the winter rain,   Sing, robin! Sing, swallow! Grasses are in the lane,   Buds and flowers will follow. Woods shall ring, blithe and gay,   With bird-trill and twitter, Though the skies weep to-day,   And the winds are bitter. Though deep call unto deep   As calls the thunder, And white the billows leap   The tempest under; Softly the waves shall come   Up the long, bright beaches, With dainty, flowers of foam   And tenderest speeches… After the wintry pain,   And the long, long sorrow, Sing, heart!—for thee again   Joy comes with the morrow. This poem is in the public domain. After the winter rain, the world is transformed. The sky is a bright blue, the sun is shining, and the air is fresh and crisp. The trees are glistening with raindrops, and the grass is a vibrant green. Everywhere there is a feeling of new life and hope. The birds are singing, and the flowers are blooming. The world is alive and vibrant, and it is a beautiful sight to behold. Ina Coolbrith’s poem captures this moment perfectly, reminding us that even in the darkest of times, there is always hope and beauty to be found. Ina Coolbrith was a poet, librarian, and literary figure in California during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. She was the first California Poet Laureate, and was the first poet laureate of any U.S. state. Coolbrith was born in Nauvoo, Illinois in 1841 and moved to California in 1851. She was a prolific writer, publishing her first book of poetry at the age of 17. Ina Coolbrith was a key figure in the literary and cultural life of San Francisco and was a mentor to many young writers, including Jack London and Isadora Duncan. She was also a member of the Bohemian Club and the Saturday Club, two of the most prominent literary and cultural organizations in the area. Ina Coolbrith was an advocate for women’s rights and education, and was a leader in the early women’s suffrage movement in California. She died in 1928 at the age of 87. “Were I to write what I know, the book would be too sensational to print, but were I to write what I think proper, it would be too dull to read.“ Ina Coolbrith Photography & Recitation by Rebecca Budd Music by More Than Family “Choir Hymn” EpidemicSound https://www.epidemicsound.com/track/zLlZB2Y3zt/

Photography & Recitation by Rebecca Budd Music by More Than Family “Choir Hymn” Epidemic Sound

Published by Rebecca Budd

Blogger, Visual Storyteller, Podcaster, Traveler and Life-long Learner

14 thoughts on “S4 E3: After the Winter Rain by Ina Coolbrith”

  2. Rebecca, beautiful recitation of a poem by a poet I unfortunately had not known about. (Just read a long Wikipedia entry about her fascinating life.) And I loved the scenery in your video. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Isn’t Ina Coolbrith’s life story amazing?!!! Adventures, ups and downs, celebrations, – at times almost unbelievable. I envision her at 10 years old, riding with the very famous African American scout Jim Beckworth, at the head of a wagon train. I had never heard of Ina Coolbrith until I read this poem, which came into my e-mail in-basket (I have signed up for a poem a day, which goes along with my art calendar. Poem + Painting = Perfect way to start the day). When I read this quote I had to find out more about her: “Were I to write what I know, the book would be too sensational to print, but were I to write what I think proper, it would be too dull to read.”

      Thank you so much for joining me after a winter rain!!

      Liked by 1 person

    1. I am delighted that you joined Ina, the geese and me. Spring is knocking on the door. I saw the first snowdrops yesterday. They are such brave little souls. They always give a lift to the spirit.!!! Hugs coming back your way with swift wings.

      Liked by 1 person

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