Jane Hirshfield’s contemplative poem, “Counting, This New Year’s Morning, What Powers Yet Remain to Me” resonated very strongly with me, with its subtle but powerful message for our current moment in time.
My goal for the upcoming year remains the same: “to create out of the materials of the human spirit something which did not exist before” (to borrow from William Faulkner’s Nobel Prize acceptance speech).
All the best for a healthy and happy new year!
Music Intro and outro by: https://freesound.org/people/Bruno_ph/sounds/109409/
Elizabeth Gauffreau 
Beautiful reading to start the new year. I love the photo.
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Thank you very much, Tim. The photo was taken in the White Mountains, probably Franconia Notch.
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I find this poem very grounding. The perfect way to start the New Year
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I’m so glad!!
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I’m so glad!
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This poem definitely resonates, and you read it beautifully, Liz.
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Thank you, Merril. I’m glad the poem resonates with you as well.
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You’re welcome, Liz!
(Sorry i’m so behind on comments.)
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🙂
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“to create out of the materials of the human spirit something which did not exist before”–I’m not sure what that means. Hmm… Something to ponder for Jan. 1st.
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Here is a link to the context for the quote: https://www.nobelprize.org/prizes/literature/1949/faulkner/speech/ .
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A thoughtful interlude
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Thank you, Joy.
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Always nice to hear you read. Your voice is clear and distinctive, and is very pleasant to listen to. Good choice of poem, Liz.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Thank you very much, Pete! I’m so glad you enjoyed the reading.
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Happy New Year, Liz! 🥳
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Happy New Year, Colleen!
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Thank you, Liz. 🙏🏻
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You’re welcome, Colleen.
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Good thoughts to take in a day like this. The music and photo were very well chosen!
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Thank you, Therese! I’m glad you think so.
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Lovely, Liz. Thank you for sharing. Happy New Year to you and your family!
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You’re welcome, Jill! Happy New Year to you and your family as well!!
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Liz, that is a fabulous quote. I had not heard it before. And a worthy goal. I shall try to follow it as well. Happy New Year.
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I’m so glad the quote resonates with you as well, Teagan!
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Powerful, compelling, intricate poem — wonderfully read by you, Liz.
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Thank you very much, Dave! I’m glad I was able to do Hirshfield’s poem justice.
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Lovely poem, beautifully read and a perfect backdrop provided by the picture and music.
Meryl
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Thank you, Meryl! I’m so glad you enjoyed the reading.
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Thank you for sharing this soul-searching poem, Liz. A perfect meditation in gratitude. Have a blessed day!
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You’re most welcome, Suzette!
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So many good lines and phrases in this poem. And I love the mountain as not only scenery but character. Time to start the black eyed peas and collards. Happy New Year!
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Happy New Year, Andrea! I’m so glad you enjoyed Hirshfield’s poem.
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Oh my. What a lovely share, Liz. I’m saving this one.
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Wonderful! I’m so glad you enjoyed Hirshfield’s poem.
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Beautiful. Happy New Year Liz! 3️⃣1️⃣🕛1️⃣
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Thanks! Happy New Year, Cindy!!
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Lovey Liz, and thank you for all your delightful offerings during the year.
Happy New Year!
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Thank you, Dorothy, on both counts! Happy New Year!!
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Your good wishes reciprocated, Liz. I have enjoyed our friendship as it has developed
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Thank you very much, Derrick. 🙂
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Wishing you all the best for 2023 Liz.
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Thank you, Andrea. I wish the same for you.
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A lovely reading. Joy still stays Joy! Love that. Thanks.
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Thank you, Darlene. “Joy is still joy” is the line that clinched my decision to read the poem.
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A perfect poem to start the new year and a lovely reading. Thank you for sharing this, Liz. I’m not sure why, but I teared up at the end. Happy New Year 🙂
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You’re welcome, Marie. I’m glad you were as moved by Hirshfield’s poem as I was.
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what a beautiful reading. “First to the mountain and then to the question”!
Love this Liz! “Joy still brings Joy”
“the day answers”.
Thanks for sharing and Happy New Year LIz! ❣️
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I’m so glad you enjoyed Hirshfield’s poem, Cindy. Happy New Year!
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Thank you Liz. It was truly moving. Thanks for the wishes Liz! 💞
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You’re most welcome, Cindy!
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Happy New Year, GP!
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A beautiful reading Liz. Thank you and Happy New Year.
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You’re most welcome, John. I’m glad you enjoyed the reading. Happy New Year!
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😊
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Such a beautiful reading for the first day of a new year, my dear Liz… and wonderfully read too!
All the best to you, my dear friend. 🙏❤️
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Thank you, Marina! I’m so glad you enjoyed my reading of Hirshfield’s poem.
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Oh, very much…and it resonated with me too! 😉 xo
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🙂
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Thank you, Liz, for this beautiful reading. Hirshfield’s poem is powerful — “didn’t it give you the asking?” Yes, it did… ❤️
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You’re welcome, Gwen. I’m so glad the poem resonated as much with you as it did with me.
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Fantastic reading, Liz. Don and I just listened in and enjoyed your recitation immensely. A wonderful way to celebrate the first day of 2023! Sending hugs along with my gratitude for an amazing 2022!!!
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Thank you, Rebecca! Hirshfield’s poem just cried out for me to read it aloud.
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I have kept an article on Jane Hirschfield’s thoughts on poetry that dates back a few years. I take it out every so often to reread it. I think you would appreciate the article: https://www.huffpost.com/entry/jane-hirshfield-poetry_n_6896864
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I just read the article. Hirshfield is a poet after my own heart! This article is a keeper.
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I knew you would enjoy it!!!
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I’m reading the New Year’s morning poem in the evening. No, I don’t despair of this fallen world; instead I take what is in my hand and heart and make something new.
Happy New Year, Liz!
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I’m very glad to hear it, Marian. Happy New Year!
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Any world withe the word bespangle is a good one.
Happy New Year Liz!
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I agree! Happy New Year, Kerfe!
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Definitely a lot to contemplate here, Liz! Questions to ask ourselves and to think about. And the quote from Faulkner is a perfect goal for a writer!
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Thank you, Audrey!
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A delightful poem, Liz, which I had not heard before. Your reading was wonderful.
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Thank you, Robbie. I’m glad you enjoyed my reading of Hirshfield’s powerful poem.
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Powerful and hopeful Liz. Taking each day as it comes still offers joy and surprises… Happy New Year. xx
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I’m glad you enjoyed the poem. It’s a keeper. Happy New Year.
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Wonderful reading, Liz. Happy New Year!
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Thank you, Chris! It’s great to see you!!! Happy New Year!
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Reading and writing are there just beginning again!
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Good news!! I’ve missed you.
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😊✍️
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This is wonderful! Your reading is a soothing voice to powerful words. Happy New Year, Liz.
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Thank you very much, Jennie. I’m glad you enjoyed the reading. Happy New Year.
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You’re very welcome, Liz. 🙂
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A lovely poem choice, Liz. Thank you for sharing! Happy New Year!
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You’re welcome, Jan. I’m glad you enjoyed the poem. Happy New Year!
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Happy New Year, Liz!!
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Happy New Year, Mary Jo!
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THANK YOU, LIZ. I love this poem!!!! And you read it beautifully. Plus, your theme quote. You’ve really inspired me with this post. XO
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You’re welcome, Luanne! I’m so glad you found the post inspiring.
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A beautiful reading Liz, and wonderful goals. Happy New Year. 🙂
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Thank you, Debby! Happy New Year. 🙂
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Thanks for sharing this poem, Liz. A good way to start the year, as it makes us reflect upon our lives. Have a great 2023!
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You’re welcome, Olga. I’m glad Hirshfield’s poem struck a responsive chord with you.
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I can see why that poem seemed so moving, Liz. It’s a poignant reflection on the simplicity of life. I love hearing you read. ❤
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Thank you very much, Diana. I’m so glad you enjoyed my reading of Hirshfield’s wonderful poem.
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So beautiful…a gentle though provoking poem of the simple things, the things that matter…Thank you for sharing Liz …Wishing you a wonderful 2023 x
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I’m so glad you enjoyed Hirshfield’s wonderful poem, Carol. Wishing you a wonderful 2023 as well!
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Liz, thank you so much for sharing Jane Hirshfield’s powerful and profound poem and one that resonates deeply with me. One sentence stands out to the writer within me and my joy of words: ‘Words still bespangle, bewilder.’
Wishing you much creativity and joy with your goal for the New Year – a truly inspiring quote and one which we should all endeavour to follow! A very Happy New Year to you! xx
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I’m very glad to hear how deeply Jane Hirshfield’s poem resonates with you, Annika! Isn’t poetry grand!! (And William Faulkner, too, of course.) Happy New Year!
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“To create out of the materials of the human spirit something which did not exist before.” I love that! Have a wonderful 2023, Liz!
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I’m glad Faulkner’s quote resonates with you as well, Priscilla! Have a wonderful 2023!!
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The loveliest, most soul-soothing encounter I’ve yet experienced in this new year. Thank you, Liz, for reminding me of the gift of asking.
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You’re most welcome, Ranee. I’ve so pleased by people’s reaction to my reading of Hirshfield’s wonderful poem.
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What a beautiful reading, Liz, and such a profound poem. I love these lines:
Stone did not become apple. War did not become peace.
Yet joy still stays joy. Sequins stay sequins. Words still bespangle, bewilder.
Thanks for sharing and Happy New Year!
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I’m so glad you enjoyed my reading of Jane Hirshfield’s incredible poem, Lauren. The lines you’ve quoted are the ones that got to me as well. Happy New Year!
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Beautiful reading of this poem! Much to contemplate here! Happy New Year Liz!!! Great post to start 2023…
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Thank you, Linda! I’m so glad you enjoyed my reading of Hirshfield’s powerful poem. Happy New Year!
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Beautiful!! I enjoy Hirschfeld’s work very much!!
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Thank you! We have good taste in poetry.
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Lol!!!! And I see I got auto-corrected when I tried to type Hirshfield’s name in my earlier comment. Oops. Silly me for typing and sending without rereading first. 🤷♀️
Ah well. Even so it’s lovely to share the enjoyments of poetry with you!
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😀 I miss typing/autocorrect errors even when I do reread the comment or response!
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Me too!!! 🤣🤣
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Such an uplifting message for the new year! Here’s to the new year and all that we make of it 🙂
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Hear, hear! 🙂
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It is so nice to wake up this morning and hear you recite this beautiful poem… it matches so well the wonderful photo. Wishing you well, Liz. Take care ~
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Thank you very much, Randall! I’m so glad you enjoyed my reading of Hirshfield’s wonderful poem.
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I have always appreciated Hirshfield’s words. Thank you, sorry I didn’t listen to this on New Year’s Day.
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You’re welcome. Hirshfield is a very insightful poet, and she expresses her insights beautifully.
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