The poet was remembering a friend who had recently died, when he wrote:
Today the cold rain falls,
A north wind shakes the walls,
The sound earth turns to mud.
The river in brown flood
Will not return the clay
It lifts and bears away.
Now may love equal fear,
As death begins the year.
-Wendell Berry, from A Timbered Choir
Gladsome Lights 
This poem is particularly poignant as a dear friend of long standing died on Sunday. Thank you for the beautiful words.
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That’s a beautiful and very sobering poem. I hope death hasn’t begun your year. The photo is just perfect, as though it was made for the poem.
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No, I don’t share that aspect of Berry’s experience, but found his poem evocative of our local feeling of winter, and the struggle to not get pulled under. That picture is of the creek near my house and how it often looks about now.
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I understand that. I love snow and all the beauty of winter and think it must just be the less sunlight that makes me feel so…and looking forward as each day brings a wee more sun.
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Knowing that the poet had recently lost a friend makes this poem more meaningful. It’s a sad sort of poem but very easy to read.
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One of my favorite writers.
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I’m not big on poetry, but I do like Wendell Berry. I should look up some of his poetry. Thanks for sharing! 🙂
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Yes, may love equal fear!
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Beautifully crafted. I’m seeing so much Wendell Berry lately online. I need to go read him.
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