Not Yet

Posted on by Live & Learn

Morning of buttered toast;
of coffee, sweetened with milk.

Out of the window,
snow-spruces step from their cobwebs.
Flurry of chickadees, feeding then gone.
A single cardinal stipples an empty branch-
one maple leaf lifted back.

I turn my blessings like photographs into the light;
over my shoulder the god of Not-Yet looks on:

Not-yet-dead, not-yet-lost, not-yet-taken.
Not-yet-shattered, not-yet-sectioned,
not-yet-strewn.

Ample litany, sparing nothing I hate or love,
not-yet-silenced, not-yet-fractured, not-yet-
Not-yet-not.

I move my ear a little closer to that humming figure,
I ask him only to stay.

— Jane Hirshfield, “Not Yet” in “Come, Thief: Poems“. (HarperCollins, April 5, 2011)

Notes: Photo of Red Northern Cardinal on January 1, 2025 by DK at noon in backyard. Poem via having a poem with you.

46 thoughts on “Not Yet”

  2. Wow…just wow!
    Another award-winning photo!
    Fantastic work, Dave!

    Did it take a little digging to find the right poem? 😉 Excellent poem also!

    That cardinal looks like he’s ready to stand his ground regardless of what weather winter throws at him! He looks ready for battle!

    2. Thanks Paul. As I much as it irks me to say it Sawsan is correct. It just showed up in my feed this morning. And I dare say, I follow Sawsan on another forum, saw a blog she reblogged which led me to this poem. Once again, she’s the SOURCE of all things! Thanks Paul.

  9. Oh dear David, this poem fascinated me so much. What a beautiful lines, words, exactly you whisper in your depth too, you feel every line every words… Thank you for sharing with us, and making me to know and wants to know more… Have a nice day, Love, nia

  10. W(Everyone)S! The wonderful shot as well as the amazing poem reminds me of how nothing on 9/11 — nothing at all — seemed recognizable, until we heard the birds again.

    1. I recently read a detailed account of 9/11 written by Scott Pelley of 60 minutes/CBS News… (In his book: Truth Worth Telling). Beautifully written. Actually, I listened to the audiobook, which Mr. Pelley reads himself, and of course, does a brilliant job… What voice he has!)

      Painful to read, but good not to forget. We must never forget… Sadly.

      Scott Pelley did some incredibly brave reporting during his career. He was right on site during 9/11, and was nearly killed by a smaller multi-story (5?) building that collapsed after the twin towers went down. Also reported from several war zones while under fire. I had no idea how often he put himself in harm’s way before I read his book (though it should’ve been obvious to me). Incredible bravery, and in my humble opinion, an incredible reporter.

      I highly recommend that book: Truth Worth Telling.

  11. Ah I forgot, this Cardinal, you took, how beautiful. It should be a miracle around you, that visited you. I always believe the hidden power of these small birds…Thank you dear David, Love, nia

  16. A lot of patience, thought & beauty takes place in the time of “Not Yet”…. Someday I hope to see a beautiful Cardinal, first hand 🙂 My mother loved Cardinals 🙂

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