February / Snowdrops

Turning the calendar over to February, this month is Black History Month. Writer Wayde Compton is tweeting daily under the hashtag, #BlackHistoryMonthYVR. On Twitter, he writes: “ … I will tweet one fact about the history of people of African descent in the city of Vancouver.” His Twitter here.

Image description: Close-up photograph of a single white snowdrop flower, dark background.

Also, today is Lunar New Year and many cultures around the world are celebrating. According to the Chinese Zodiac, it is the Year of the Tiger that begins today.

On Zoom yesterday, Vancouver’s present Poet-Laureate, Fiona Lam hosted a number of poets for a reading to celebrate the Lunar New Year. A recording of the event is available to watch, on YouTube here.

And in thinking of beginnings, I’ve noticed that snowdrops are starting to come up in the gardens around the neighbourhood. An indication of the slow shift from winter to spring. Below, I have gathered links to some English language poems, pieces that address or reference the white flower and its connection to new beginnings. I’m sure there are many more poems out there that feature snowdrops. Gardens and flowers, a particular subject readily worked into poems. If you know of any, I invite you to share them in the comments below.

Happy Lunar New Year!

‘Snowdrop’ by Ted Hughes

‘Snowdrops’ by Louise Glück

‘To a Snowdrop’ by William Wordsworth

‘Snowdrops’ by Alice Oswald

‘A Brigid’s Girdle’ by Seamus Heaney